Fall Update from DOE WAP Program Manager October 3 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm As we kick off Weatherization month, listen...

In the United States, there are more than 5 million children living with a parent who went to jail or prison. The challenges facing formerly incarcerated fathers and mothers can seem insurmountable and overwhelming. In addition to the responsibility of parenting, they often struggle to obtain employment, housing, access to benefits, and reliable transportation because of criminal background checks, housing restrictions, or holds on their driver’s licenses until their fees and fines are paid off. They may have accrued large arrearages owed in child support during incarceration. Many are also working to mend broken or damaged relationships with their families.  That is why accessing the right supports—stable housing, reliable networks, ties to employment, building healthy relationship and parenting skills—are essential.

Fresh Finds – September 25, 2018 Here are some resources from across the field that you can use…. Publications, Data,...

The National Community Action Partnership would like to express its concern for the victims of Hurricane Florence. So many families have been impacted and we...

Preparing to leave an abuser takes a lot of planning. Among many other things, victims need a place to stay, food to eat, getting to and from work, healthcare, childcare, and legal services. And all of these resources have one thing in common: they cost money. Controlling finances is a key strategy for abusers to keep control over their partners. In fact, 99% of women experiencing domestic violence are also experiencing financial abuse. The Office of Women’s Health describes financial abuse as the control, withholding, and concealment of money from the victim, who feels stuck and afraid to leave the abusive situation.

Pottery and jewelry making. Winter solstice religious ceremonies. Livestock herding. Salmon fishing. Teaching or learning a tribal language. Traditional clothes-making. At first glance, some individuals may not associate these activities with becoming self-sufficient. For American Indians, the connection between economics and self-sufficiency is important, but many tribes also consider activities like the ones listed above to be equally important in leading individuals to become productive, contributing members of society.

Yesterday, the U.S. Census Bureau released its latest data on income, earnings, income inequality, and Poverty. The report finds that...

Motivational interviewing (MI) builds upon basic communication principles of active listening and paraphrasing, which are designed to “first seek to understand” the message being conveyed. By deploying a variety of strategies, MI explores what motivates individuals, what prevents them from following through with agreements or pursuing their goals, and what types of support they need to succeed.

Coaching today can extend beyond to the sports field as a case management approach in human services and workforce development for building abilities and providing positive encouragement and support to low-skilled and/or low-income workers.

With a growing body of evidence that links child and adult experiences of trauma to negative health, school, work, and relationship outcomes, many child- and family-serving organizations have begun to implement programs, services, and policies that are trauma informed.

Much has been said about the ‘organizational market approach’ of Social Enterprise Organizations (SEOs). Isn’t that just another way to say nonprofit? What sets this approach to employment barriers apart from others? How can this approach help those who have few job qualifications seek employment and continue on the path to self-sufficiency? Social Enterprise Organizations (SEOs) use a profit-maximizing approach to solve society’s challenges and help improve individual and community well-being (Kerlin, 2006). Despite a range of activities, organizational structure, and target populations, all SEOs take a market approach to make a social impact.

RPIC and State Association Colleagues, The State T/TA Plan template for FY 2019 is now available!.  Based on feedback from...

While employment is the most obvious method for affording basic living expenses, it’s increasingly becoming apparent that the quality of employment is a huge factor determining whether individuals, and families, can achieve self-sufficiency. SNAP Education and Training addresses this concern by providing support services intended to move individuals out from underemployment.

The strong national economy presents a unique opportunity for community based organizations, agencies, and other social services stakeholders to engage employers and connect low-income individuals and other hard to serve populations to employment. With low unemployment rates, businesses have to work harder to find and hire employees than when unemployment rates are higher and more people are in the job market. Connecting the hardest to serve individuals to long-term employment leads to increased self-sufficiency and benefits both families and communities, and can be accomplished with a cohesive employer engagement strategy.

Welcome to Learning Community Fresh Finds - a bi-weekly resource update of publications, webinars, and funding opportunities from across the human services field.