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• Administration for Children & Families
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The 20^th Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS) will be held virtually on October 13–15 and October 19–22, 2020. Following the cancellation of our planned in-person conference in May, the RECS 2020 Planning Committee has been closely monitoring the situation related to COVID-19. As the wellness of our speakers, participants, and staff is our highest priority, it has been determined that holding the conference virtually is the safest and most practical option. The conference agenda will now be spread out over two weeks in October with shorter days to ensure that content is delivered in digestible segments. Later start times will allow for attendees across multiple time zones to participate. We will continue to provide updates regarding the conference agenda and registration via the RECS website and email list.

Since 1998, the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has convened the Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS) to present the latest findings from evaluations of programs, policies, and services that support low-income and vulnerable families on the path to economic self-sufficiency. For nearly 20 years, the RECS has been a leading forum for researchers, State and local administrators, practitioners, and Federal officials and policymakers to discuss cutting-edge research on family self-sufficiency and social welfare programs and policies. The Virtual RECS 2020 will provide an opportunity to hear the latest findings from evaluations of human services and employment programs and policies, discuss ways to incorporate findings into the design and implementation of programs, and identify future evaluation needs.

It is our hope that shifting to a dynamic virtual platform will allow for the participation of a broader audience and increase the diversity of ideas and input. The virtual system will provide engaging experiences to include plenary and breakout sessions, poster presentations, and roundtables. There will also be options to network with attendees and interact with exhibitors.

Learn more about the conference