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RECS Home » Agenda » Detailed Agenda

    2020 RECS Agenda

    Jump to:

    Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7
    Session Track Key
    light purple icon TANF Programs, Policies, and Populations
    orange icon Employment and Mobility in the Labor Market
    green icon Youth Well-Being and the Transition to Adulthood
    light blue icon Strengthening Families, Fatherhood, Marriages, and Relationships
    yellow icon Evaluating Social Programs, Building Evidence, and Using Data
    purple icon Approaches to Alleviate Poverty and Expand Opportunity
    Tuesday, October 13 —1:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time

    1:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

    Opening Remarks

       
    • Lynn Johnson (Administration for Children and Families)
      light purple icon  purple icon 

    Plenary: One Workforce: A Federal-State Partnership Initiative for Innovation

       
    • Moderator: Kristin Putnam (Administration for Children and Families/Consultant)
    • Clarence H. Carter (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Lynn Johnson (Administration for Children and Families)
    • John Pallasch (U.S. Department of Labor)
    • Brandon Lipps (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

    2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

     

    Break

    3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

    Concurrent Breakout Sessions

      light purple icon 

    Next Generation of Behavioral Interventions to Advance Self-Sufficiency: Practitioner and Research Insights From Two TANF Experiments

       
    • Moderator: Kim Clum (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Rebecca Schwartz (MDRC)
    • Denise Read (Monroe County Department of Human Services)
    • Nancy Forgue (Independent Consultant)
      purple icon  orange icon 

    Diverse Methods of Coaching: Examples From Across Human Services

       
    • Moderator: Ashley Winning (Economic Mobility Pathways)
    • Karen Gardiner (Abt Associates)
    • Kerry Beymer (Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families)
    • Rachel Brooks (The Prosperity Agenda)
      green icon 

    Employment and Education during the Transition to Adulthood for Youth Aging out of Foster Care

       
    • Moderator: Marla McDaniel (Urban Institute)
    • Jiffy Lansing (Northwestern University)
    • Amy Dworsky (Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago)
    • Devlin Hanson (Urban Institute)
      light blue icon 

    Using Technology to Promote Enrollment, Engagement, and Learning in Human Service Programs

       
    • Moderator: Katie Pahigiannis (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Rebecca Behrmann (MDRC)
    • Ankita Patnaik (Mathematica)
    • Brian Doss (University of Miami)
      yellow icon 

    Qualitative Inquiry of Needs and Resources for Families with Low Incomes: Insights From Three Studies

       
    • Moderator: Amelia Popham (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Marissa Strassberger (MDRC)
    • Rashmita Mistry (University of California, Los Angeles)
    • Carol Hafford (NORC at the University of Chicago)
      purple icon 

    Fostering Financial Security and Resilience: Exploring Tools Designed to Help Families Address and Overcome Financial Hardship

       
    • Moderator: Tiffany McCormack (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Breno Braga (Urban Institute)
    • Alicia Atkinson (The Prosperity Agenda)
    • Seth Chizeck (Carnegie Mellon University)

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    Wednesday, October 14 — 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

    1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

     

    Symposium:

      yellow icon  green icon 

    Equity, Evidence, and Action: How Can We Bring It All Together, from Federal Policy to Local Practice?

       
    • Mary Ellen Wiggins (The Forum for Youth Investment)
    • Ivan Lui (Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth)
    • Representatives of the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance Youth Data Squad

    2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

     

    Break

    2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

     

    Emerging Scholars Poster Session – Lightning Round 1

       
    • Yu-Ling Chang (University of California, Berkeley)
      Low-Income Single Mother Families’ Experience of Family Benefit Packages and Employment Trajectories

    • Natalie Demyan (University of Maryland)
      Actual Earnings and Child Support Payment Outcomes Among Obligors With Imputed Income in Maryland

    • Dallas Elgin (2M Research)
      Understanding How Human Services Programs Can Best Serve Rural Communities: A Mixed-Methods Approach

    • Sofia Gomez (County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency)
      Elevating Youth Voices to Inform Evaluation Using Participatory Methods: Lessons Learned From Santa Clara County

    • Weneaka Jones (Marquette University)
      The Relationship Among Demographic Factors, Transition Services, and Individual Development Account Saving Participation Among Transition-Age Youth With Disabilities

    • Catherine LaBrenz (University of Texas)
      Strengthening Families to Promote Successful Reunification: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

    • Kelley Massengale (National Diaper Bank Network)
      Building Evidence to Support Basic Needs Diaper Provision as a Poverty Reduction Strategy for Families

    • Sehun Oh (The Ohio State University)
      Life-Course Labor Market Effects of Job Skills Training on U.S. Baby Boomers: A Propensity Score Analysis

    • Gabrielle Pepin (W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research)
      The Effects of Welfare Time Limits on Access to Financial Resources: Evidence From the 2010s

    3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

     

    Break

    3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    Concurrent Breakout Sessions

      light purple icon 

    How TANF Is Assisting Families Experiencing Homelessness: Federal, State, and Local Perspectives

       
    • Moderator: Anne Fletcher (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
    • Rachel Gwilliam (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Lauren Dunton (Abt Associates)
    • Sharon McDonald (National Alliance to End Homelessness)
      orange icon 

    New Research on Career Pathways: Findings Across Federal Studies

       
    • Moderator: Megan Lizik (U.S. Department of Labor)
    • Dan Litwok (Abt Associates)
    • Laura Peck (Abt Associates)
    • Andrew Clarkwest (Abt Associates)
      green icon  orange icon 

    Building the Evidence Base on Youth Employment Approaches

       
    • Moderator: Lisa Zingman (Administration for Children and Families)
    • David Fein (Abt Associates)
    • Ranita Jain (The Aspen Institute)
    • Meghan Salas Atwell (Case Western Reserve University)
      light blue icon  green icon 

    Emerging Research on Sexual Risk Avoidance and Sexual Risk Cessation

       
    • Moderator: Caryn Blitz (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Alicia Meckstroth (Mathematica)
    • Dana Rotz (Mathematica)
    • Katy Suellentrop (RTI International)
      yellow icon 

    Measuring Change in Two-Generation Programs

       
    • Moderator: Marjorie Sims (The Aspen Institute)
    • Sharon McGroder (SMc Research Consulting)
    • Brian Campbell (District of Columbia Department of Human Services)
    • John Everett Till (The Family Partnership)
      purple icon 

    Adapting Employment and Human Services Programs for Individuals With Substance Use Disorders

       
    • Moderator: Karin Martinson (Abt Associates)
    • Crystal Blyler (Mathematica)
    • Annette Waters (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
    • Robin Ghertner (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
      purple icon  light blueicon 

    Using Formative Rapid Cycle Evaluation to Improve Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Programs for Youth

       
    • Moderator: Aleta Meyer (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Subuhi Asheer (Mathematica)
    • Aly Frei (Public Strategies)
    • Galena Rhoades (University of Denver)

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    Thursday, October 15 — 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time

    1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Welcome

       
    • Mark Fucello (Administration for Children and Families)
      orange icon  lt purple icon 

    Plenary: Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG): Latest Impact Findings for ACF's Career Pathways Program and Insights From an HPOG Participant

       
    • Moderator: Hilary Bruck (Administration for Children and Families/Consultant) and Kim Stupica-Dobbs (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)
    • Laura Peck (Abt Associates)
    • David Judkins (Abt Associates)
    • Angela Kula (Central Community College)

    2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

     

    Break

    2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

    Concurrent Breakout Sessions

     

    light purple icon   yellow icon

    Combining Data to Understand TANF Populations and Outcomes: Key Considerations

       
    • Moderator: Nicole Deterding (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Emily Wiegand (Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago)
    • Richard Hendra (MDRC)
    • Lauren Frohlich (Administration for Children and Families)
      orange icon 

    Emerging Employer-Focused Approaches for Advancing Economic Independence

       
    • Moderator: Hilary Bruck (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Tad Asbury (Marriott Foundation)
    • Larry Timmerman (Ramsey County)
    • Jonathan DaSilva (CVS Health)
      green icon   purple icon

    Promising Practices to Prevent Youth Homelessness

       
    • Moderator: Catherine Heath (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Bridgette Lery (Urban Institute)
    • Andrew Burwick (Mathematica)
    • Stormy Lukasavage (Capacity Building Center for States)
      light blue icon 

    Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Programming

       
    • Moderator: Samantha Illangasekare (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Mindy Scott (Child Trends)
    • Marni Kan (RTI International)
    • Joseph Jones, Jr. (Center for Urban Families)
      yellow icon   orange icon

    Translating Research to Practice: Three Career Pathways Programs and Their Research Partners

       
    • Moderator: Courtney Barthle (ICF International)
    • Sylvia Stewart (Brandeis University)
    • Lauren Tighe (Northwestern University)
    • Philip Hong (Loyola University Chicago)
      purple icon   yellow icon

    Leveraging Data in Child Support Programs

       
    • Moderator: Michael Hayes (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Jolie Sheppick (Orange County Department of Child Support Services)
    • Cindy Guo (Washington State Department of Social and Health Services)
    • Michelle Franco (Virginia Department of Social Services)
      light purple icon 

    A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Policy Changes to CalWORKs: Lessons for Policy and Research

       
    • Moderator: Johannes Bos (American Institutes for Research)
    • Lois Davis (RAND Corporation)
    • Sami Kitmitto (American Institutes for Research)
    • Lynn Karoly (RAND Corporation)

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    Monday, October 19 — 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

    1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

     

    Week 2 Opening Remarks

       
    • Scott Lekan (Administration for Children and Families)
      purple icon 

    Plenary: Response and Recovery During COVID-19: Embracing Learning on Human Services Resiliency

       
    • Moderator: Amanda Benton (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
    • David Stillman (Washington State Department of Social and Health Services)
    • Natalie Grant (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Laura Lein (University of Michigan)

    2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

     

    Break

    2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

     

    Panel Discussion on Careers in Research Related to Poverty, Family Self-Sufficiency, and Social Welfare

       
    • Moderator: Elaine Carpenter (Administration for Children and Families/Business Strategy Consultants)
    • Meika Berlan (District of Columbia Department of Human Services)
    • Colleen Heflin (Syracuse University)
    • Kriti Jain (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Bright Sarfo (MEF Associates)

    3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

     

    Break

    4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

     

    Facilitated Networking Roundtables

      light purple icon 

    An Evaluative Toolkit for Building a Trauma-Informed TANF Program: A Case Study of Vermont

       
    • Andrea Hetling (Rutgers University)
      purple icon 

    Baby’s First Years: Studying the Impact of Poverty Reduction on Families and Young Children

       
    • Katherine Magnuson (University of Wisconsin–Madison)
    • Kimberly Noble (Columbia University Medical Center)
      yellow icon 

    Building Local Evidence for Behavioral Design: New York City's Department of Social Services and ideas42

       
    • Edith Kealey (New York City Department of Social Services)
      green icon 

    Core Components of Successful Prevention Programs for At-Risk Youth

       
    • Sandra Wilson (Abt Associates)
    • Sarah Oberlander (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
      purple icon 

    Cross-Agency Collaboration: Lessons Learned From Demonstration Projects

       
    • Jackson Costa (Social Security Administration)
    • Meredith DeDona (U.S. Department of Labor)
      yellow icon 

    Improving the Rigor of Human Services Research Through Community Engagement

       
    • Aleta Meyer (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Kristi Synold (Administration for Children and Families)
      yellow icon 

    Integrating Research Into Practice: Perspectives on Academic Collaboration

       
    • Michael-Dharma Irwin (Arlington County Department of Human Services)
    • Tiffany Lee (Arlington County Department of Human Services)
      orange icon 

    Employment and Training Programs Serving Low-Income Populations: Next Steps for Research

       
    • Mike Fishman (MEF Associates)
    • Harry Holzer (Georgetown University)
      lt purple icon 

    Systems Work Better Together: Improving TANF and WIOA Collaboration to Advance Economic Opportunity for TANF Recipients

       
    • Lauren Molineaux (Maryland Department of Human Services)
    • Caitlin Schnur (Heartland Alliance)

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    Tuesday, October 20 — 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Eastern Time

    1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

    yellow icon 

    Plenary: Implementing the Evidence Act: Experiences and Lessons From the Ground

       
    • Moderator: Erica Zielewski (Office of Management and Budget)
    • Michael Frueh (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
    • Naomi Goldstein (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Matthew Soldner (U.S. Department of Education)
    • Vivian Tseng (William T. Grant Foundation)

    2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

     

    Break

    2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

     

    Concurrent Breakout Sessions

      light blue icon 

    Engaging Fathers across Human Services Agencies

       
    • Moderator: Seth Chamberlain (Administration for Children and Families)
    • April Wilson (Child Trends)
    • Jennifer Bellamy (University of Denver)
    • Michael Hayes (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Erin Frisch (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services)
      light purple icon 

    The Intersection of TANF With Child Care and Child Support: State Approaches and Lessons Learned

       
    • Moderator: Erin Cannon (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Larry Desbien (Colorado Department of Human Services)
    • Pamela Joshi (Brandeis University)
    • Won-ok Kim (District of Columbia Department of Human Services)
      orange icon 

    Employment Strategies for Populations with Complex Needs

       
    • Moderator: Sofi Martinez (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
    • Christian Geckeler (Social Policy Research Associates)
    • David Rosenblum (U.S. Department of Labor)
    • Yariela Kerr-Donovan (Johns Hopkins Health System)
      green icon 

    Federal, State, and Local Strategies to Serve Disconnected and Vulnerable Youth

       
    • Moderator: Gabrielle Newell (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Jackson Miller (Insight Policy Research)
    • Kate Dunham (Social Policy Research Associates)
    • Sam Elkin (MEF Associates)
      purple icon  orange icon 

    Family Voices: Benefit Cliffs, Marginal Tax Rates, and Decisions about Work

       
    • Moderator: Nina Chien (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
    • Rachel Gaddes (Insight Policy Research)
    • Nina Chien (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
    • Pamela Winston (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
      yellow icon 

    Measuring What Matters in Self-Sufficiency Programs

       
    • Moderator: Girley Wright (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Elizabeth Brown (Mathematica)
    • Yu-Ling Chang (University of California, Berkeley)
    • Heather Hahn (Urban Institute)

    ▲top

    Wednesday, October 21 — 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Eastern Time

    1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

     

    Concurrent Breakout Sessions

      light purple icon 

    TANF on the Ground: Innovative Practices and Office Culture

       
    • Moderator: Lauren Deutsch (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Katie Eddins (Mathematica)
    • Riley Webster (MEF Associates)
    • Elizabeth Carver (Utah Department of Workforce Services)
    • Carolyn Hill (MDRC)
      orange icon 

    Coaching in Practice: Implementation Findings From an Evaluation of Employment Coaching

       
    • Moderator: Sheena McConnell (Mathematica)
    • Karen Gardiner (Abt Associates)
    • Kristen Joyce (Mathematica)
    • Brian Marroquin (LIFT)
      orange icon 

    The Impact of Different Approaches to Providing Job Search Assistance to Job Seekers

       
    • Moderator: Christina Yancey (U.S. Department of Labor)
    • Karin Martinson (Abt Associates)
    • Correne Saunders (Abt Associates)
    • Kinsey Dinan (New York City Department of Social Services)
      green icon yellow icon 

    Evidence Building Strategies to Serve Youth Involved in the Child Welfare and Justice Systems

       
    • Moderator: Jan DeCoursey (Child Trends)
    • Erika Van Buren (First Place for Youth)
    • Sarah Hurley (Youth Villages)
    • Ahmed Whitt (Center for Employment Opportunities)
    • John Martinez (MDRC)
      light blue icon 

    Linking Healthy Marriage Research and Practice: Findings From the Marriage Strengthening Research and Dissemination Center

       
    • Moderator: Elizabeth Wildsmith (Child Trends)
    • Susan Brown (Bowling Green State University)
    • Mindy Scott (Child Trends)
    • April Wilson (Child Trends)
    • Kendy Cox (Public Strategies)
      yellow icon 

    Making Behavioral Interventions Stick: Moving From Tests to Integration

       
    • Moderator: Victoria Kabak (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Yana Kusayeva (MDRC)
    • Michael Hayes (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Rachael Balanson (Cuyahoga County Office of Child Support Services)
      purple icon 

    Food Insecurity and Its Effects on Family Well-Being

       
    • Moderator: Katherine McKinney (Administration for Children and Families/Business Strategy Consultants)
    • Angela Fertig (University of Minnesota)
    • Colleen Heflin (Syracuse University)
    • Ainslie MacLeod (District of Columbia Department of Human Services)

    2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

     

    Break

    2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

     

    Emerging Scholars Poster Session – Lightning Round 2

       
    • Anne Byrne (Cornell University)
      Behavioral Effects of Sliding Scale Mechanisms on Participation in Assistance Programs

    • Brittany English (Mathematica)
      Assessing Readiness for Change and Supporting Change Management

    • Emily Hanno (Harvard University)
      A Novel Approach to Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators and Caregivers

    • Mattie Mackenzie-Liu (Syracuse University)
      Testing for Differential Treatment by Child Welfare Providers Toward Sexual Minorities

    • Weston Merrick (University of Minnesota)
      Using Behavioral and Design Science to Reduce Administrative Burdens: Evidence From Public Housing

    • Maggie O’Reilly Treter (University of Denver)
      Evaluating the Impact of Relationship Education on Postpartum Depression

    • Tess Thorman (Public Policy Institute of California)
      The Role of SNAP and TANF as a Population-Based Safety Net in California

    • Samantha Trajkovski (Syracuse University)
      The Long-Run Effects of Exposure to Universal Free Meals in the Early Childhood Grades

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    Thursday, October 22 — 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time

    1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

     

    Concurrent Breakout Sessions

     

    light purple icon 

    Lessons From TANF Studies across Cities, Territories, and States

       
    • Moderator: Gabrielle Newell (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Shelley Osborn (ICF International)
    • Patricia Blumenauer (Philadelphia Works)
    • Noreen Michael (University of the Virgin Islands)
    • Meika Berlan (District of Columbia Department of Human Services)
      orange icon 

    Engaging Employers in Workforce Development: Obstacles and Lessons Learned

       
    • Moderator: Maureen Conway (The Aspen Institute)
    • Molly Scott (Urban Institute)
    • Mark Ezzo (Mathematica)
    • Ranita Jain (The Aspen Institute)
      green icon 

    Performance Partnership Pilots for Disconnected Youth: Using Federal Flexibility to Improve Systems for Serving Youth

       
    • Moderator: Deborah Martierrez (U.S. Department of Labor)
    • Sara Hastings (U.S. Department of Labor)
    • Elizabeth Brown (Mathematica)
    • Robert Sainz (City of Los Angeles)
      light blue icon 

    Highlighting the Role of Fathers in Research, Practice, and Policy

       
    • Moderator: Kriti Jain (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Joyce Lee (University of Michigan)
    • Francesca Adler-Baeder (Auburn University)
    • Paul Gehm (Michigan Supreme Court)
      yellow icon 

    Improving Efforts to Build Measurement Capacity: Lessons Learned for Funders and Grantees

       
    • Moderator: Marie Lawrence (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Joshua Joseph (The Pew Charitable Trusts)
    • Meridith Polin (The Pew Charitable Trusts)
    • Cecilia Arce (Maternal and Child Health Consortium of Chester County)
    • Justine Philyaw (YouthBuild Philadelphia)
      purple icon orange icon 

    Employment Programs for Nonresident Parents: What Have We Learned and What's Next?

       
    • Moderator: Michael Hayes (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Elaine Sorensen (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Nicole Constance (Administration for Children and Families)
    • Michele Ahern (New York City Office of Child Support Services)
      purple icon 

    Strategies for Using Social Capital in Human Services Programs to Increase Economic Mobility

       
    • Moderator: Sofi Martinez (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
    • Laura Erickson (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
    • Shayna Scholnick (Latin American Youth Center)
    • Mariana Chilton (Drexel University)

    2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

     

    Break

    2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

      Closing Remarks
       
    • Emily Schmitt (Administration for Children and Families)

     

    yellow icon  orange icon 

    Plenary: Linking Evidence to Practice: OPRE Launches the Pathways to Work Evidence Clearinghouse

       
    • Moderator: Diana McCallum (Mathematica)
    • Dana Rotz (Mathematica)
    • Clare DiSalvo (Administration for Children and Families/Business Strategy Consultants)
    • Ella Gifford-Hawkins (Pathways TANF Expert and Stakeholder)
    • Harry Holzer (Georgetown University)

    4:00 p.m.

      Conference Adjourns

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