Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS)

The 23rd Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS) will be held May 20-22, 2026, at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC.

The RECS 2026 program book and RECS App are available! The agenda and program book are available on the Conference Schedule page. Please visit the RECS App and Virtual Sessions page for information on accessing the livestreamed sessions. 

RECS is a forum for researchers, state and local administrators, practitioners, and federal officials and policymakers to discuss cutting-edge research on programs, policies, and services that support families on the path to economic self-sufficiency. RECS 2026 will provide an opportunity to hear the latest research findings, discuss ways to incorporate findings into the design and implementation of programs, and identify future research needs. 

Please email questions about the conference to RECS@air.org. 

 

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The Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS) is a biennial conference convened by the Administration for Children and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

RECS provides 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.

Past conferences have featured sessions on the following topics:

RECS is free and open to the public. The conference is intended for a broad audience, including researchers, state and local administrators, practitioners, and federal officials and policymakers. While conference sessions focus on research and evaluation, they have policy and practice applications. At previous conferences, a number of sessions were designed to support policymakers and practitioners in understanding, developing, and applying research to their work. Continuing education units are not offered at RECS. For questions, please contact us by email.  

The RECS App, hosted by Guidebook, provides in-person and virtual attendees with a single access point for all conference information, including the full agenda and conference program, session slides, attendee and speaker lists, virtual exhibits, and more.

All livestreamed sessions will be accessed from the app. Please see the instructions below under Join a Livestreamed Session from a Computer or Mobile Device.

All attendees must register for the conference to access livestreamed sessions. To register for RECS 2026 as a virtual-only attendee, please click the “Register” button below. There is no cost to register.

Register

If you would like to attend the conference in person and have not already registered, you are welcome to register onsite. Please visit the RECS Registration and Information Desk at the Capital Hilton for assistance. 

RECS 2026 App Instructions — In-Person Attendance 

We encourage all in-person attendees to download the RECS App to your mobile device to easily access all conference information and receive timely updates throughout the event. 

App Access Instructions for Mobile Devices:

1. Scan the QR code below for access to the Apple App Store or Google Play, and download the Guidebook app to your device.

2. Open the Guidebook app, navigate to the Passphrase tab on the bottom right, and enter the event code: RECS2026 (not case-sensitive).

3. When prompted, click Download.

4. If you’d like to use certain features such as the networking tool Connect, you’ll need to create a Guidebook account.

   1. To do so, click on the user icon in the top right. Here you can either create a new account or login to an existing one. 

   2. Note the password requirements when creating a new account. 

If you need assistance with the app while you are onsite at RECS, please stop by the Registration and Information Desk. 
 

RECS 2026 App Instructions —  Virtual Attendance

To access the RECS App as a virtual attendee please follow the instructions listed below.

App Access Instructions for Laptop and Desktop Computers:

1. Navigate to the app URL in your computer’s browser: https://builder.guidebook.com/g/#/guides/recs2026/details

2. Enter the passphrase: RECS2026 (not case-sensitive).

3. You do not need to create an account or log in to access most of the app content. However, if you would like to use certain features such as the networking tool Connect, you will need to create a Guidebook account.

   1. To do so, click on the user icon in the top right. Here you can either create a new account or log in to an existing one. 

   2. Note the password requirements when creating a new account. 

   3. You can opt out of sharing your profile with attendees by navigating to your profile in the top right corner of the app, clicking on the Privacy Center tab, and toggling off the option to appear publicly in the app. 

Join a Livestreamed Session from a Computer or Mobile Device:

Links to join each livestreamed session can be accessed by selecting “Livestream” from the left-side menu. 

1. Click into the session you wish to join, and the livestream link will be listed with the other session details (e.g., session description, speakers, slides PDF).

2. Click the link labeled, “Join Livestream,” to join the session, and the video will play when the session begins. 

3. If you wish to use closed captioning, please click the link within the session details labeled, “Closed Captions.” A new window will open displaying the closed captions.  

4. If you need assistance, please email RECS@air.org.

    

Visit the conference schedule page to the RECS 2026 program book with speakers and session descriptions.

RECS 2026 will provide an opportunity to hear the latest findings from evaluations of social welfare programs and policies, discuss ways to incorporate findings into the design and implementation of programs, and develop strategies for future evaluations. The conference will focus on programs, policies, and services that support families on the path to economic self-sufficiency and well-being.

This year’s conference will feature presentations and discussions on the following topics:

• TANF Programs, Policies, and Populations

  • Employment and Mobility in the Labor Market

  • Youth Well-Being and the Transition to Adulthood

  • Strengthening Families, Fatherhood, Marriages, and Relationships

  • Evaluating Social Programs, Building Evidence, and Using Data

  • Approaches to Alleviate Poverty and Expand Opportunity

Additionally, this year’s conference will feature presentations and discussions relevant to ACF’s A Home for Every Child initiative. 

The RECS 2026 Program Book is now available. 

Download

The following schedule includes titles for plenary, breakout, and roundtable sessions. Associated tracks are in parentheses, and we have indicated when a session will be available via live stream and whether it is relevant to ACF’s A Home for Every Child initiative. Session descriptions and speaker information will be available in the full program book, which will be posted to the website the week of the conference.

Key:

TANF — TANF Programs, Policies, and Populations
Employment — Employment and Mobility in the Labor Market
Youth — Youth Well-Being and the Transition to Adulthood
Strengthening Families — Strengthening Families, Fatherhood, Marriages, and Relationships
Evidence — Evaluating Social Programs, Building Evidence, and Using Data
Alleviate Poverty — Approaches to Alleviate Poverty and Expand Opportunity
AHFEC — relevant to ACF’s A Home for Every Child initiative
LIVE — session will be available via live stream

HOTEL INFORMATION

RECS 2026 will be held at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. The hotel is centrally located in downtown Washington, DC, and provides easy access to local transportation, airports, and train stations. For more information, please visit the Capital Hilton website. The discounted hotel room block is now closed, but reservations may still be available through the Capital Hilton’s website or by phone at (202) 393-1000.

Capital Hilton Address: 1001 16^th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
 

TRAVEL INFORMATION

AIR TRAVEL INFORMATION

Three major airports serve the Washington, DC area: Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), Dulles International (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington International (BWI). The most convenient airport to the meeting location is DCA‚ located approximately four miles from the Capital Hilton, and accessible via public transit. IAD is located approximately 28 miles from the hotel, and BWI is located approximately 33 miles from the hotel.

TRAIN TRAVEL INFORMATION

Amtrak
Amtrak service is available into Washington, DC, via Union Station (WAS). Amtrak is a convenient option for many people who will be traveling from various points along the East Coast. To make Amtrak reservations, call (800) USA-RAIL or visit the Amtrak website  .

MARC Train
MARC Train Service is also available from the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area into Washington, DC, via Union Station. Most MARC Train Service operates Monday through Friday only. Tickets can be purchased at Quik Trak machines, Amtrak Ticket Agents, Commuter Direct Ticket Agents, or online at Commuter Direct  . For more information, visit the  MARC Train website.

Metro
The Capital Hilton is accessible via Washington, DC's Metro system. The closest Metro stop is the Farragut North station on the Red line (0.2 miles). The next closest Metro stop is the McPherson Square station on the Orange, Blue, and Silver lines (0.3 miles). The Metro Rail System map can help you navigate your way through the DC Metro system. Use the trip planner on the Metro Rail website for detailed directions and service alerts.

TAXI INFORMATION

Taxi stands are located near the baggage claims of all area airports and at the front entrance of Union Station. Approximate one-way fares to the hotel are as follows:

• From Reagan National Airport (DCA) - $25
• From Dulles International Airport (IAD) - $95
• From Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) - $120
• From Union Station - $15

RIDESHARE INFORMATION

Lyft and Uber pickup areas are at the following locations:

• Reagan National Airport (DCA) — For Terminal 1, the pickup area is on the third (outer) curb. Terminal 2 pickup is available at the Baggage Claim/Arrivals level (first floor) in zones 1-4.
• Dulles International Airport (IAD) — The passenger pickup curb on the lower level outside of the baggage claim, accessible via doors 2, 4, or 6.
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) — The pickup area is located at the terminal curbs on the Upper Level/Departures.
• Union Station — Lyft/Uber can pick up outside of Union Station or in the Kiss and Ride/Cell Phone Waiting Area located in the Union Station Parking Garage.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

You can use Google Maps to customize your driving directions from your location. The Capital Hilton offers valet parking for $59/day. Additionally, there are parking garages and above-ground parking lots within close proximity of the hotel.

The Institute for Research on Poverty and its collaborators will be hosting an Emerging Scholars Mentoring Event at RECS 2026.

The event will be held in person May 20, 2026, from 3:00-4:15 p.m. at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. The event is designed to facilitate relationships between mentees (RECS attendees who identify as early career scholars, including students, recent graduates, and junior staff and faculty) and mentors (senior researchers and leaders in the field) who study economic self-sufficiency and human services programs and policies. Whether you are looking for guidance on career advancement, research methodologies, or work-life balance, this event offers a supportive space to exchange ideas, ask questions, and build lasting professional connections. Join us for an engaging and collaborative experience that will help shape the next generation of scholars in the field. 

This event is free and open to all RECS attendees; however, space is limited and registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. We encourage you to register early to secure your spot.   

Register Now

Note that all mentoring event attendees must also register to attend the overall conference. To register for RECS 2026, please visit the Registration page.

For questions about the Emerging Scholars Mentoring Event, please email RECS2026mentorship@childtrends.org. For all other questions, please email RECS@air.org. 

RECS 2026 Information

When and where will RECS 2026 be held?

The Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS) will be held Wednesday, May 20 through Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Capital Hilton located at 1001 16^th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. 

Can I attend RECS 2026 virtually? 

RECS 2026 is being planned primarily as an in-person event. However, select sessions will be livestreamed for virtual attendees. Please see the RECS App and Virtual Sessions[JC1]  page for instructions on accessing the livestreamed sessions.

Who organizes RECS?

RECS is convened by the Administration for Children and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The American Institutes for Research (AIR), under contract to OPRE, provides coordination support to RECS 2026.

Registration

Is there a registration fee for the conference?

Registration for this event is free and open to the public.

When will registration open?

Registration for RECS is now open. Visit the registration page to learn more and register. If you would like to attend the conference in person and have not already registered, you are welcome to register onsite. Please visit the RECS Registration and Information Desk at the Capital Hilton for assistance.

Conference Content

What topics are discussed at the conference?

The conference focuses on cutting-edge research on programs, policies, and services that support families on the path to economic self-sufficiency. Past RECS have featured presentations and discussions on topics including: TANF programs, policies, and populations; employment and mobility in the labor market; youth well-being and the transition to adulthood; strengthening families, fatherhood, marriages, and relationships; evaluating social programs, building evidence, and using data; and approaches to alleviate poverty and expand opportunity.

Who is the conference intended for?

The conference is intended for a broad audience, including state and local administrators, federal officials and policymakers, researchers, and practitioners. While conference sessions are focused on research and evaluation, they have policy and practice applications. A number of sessions are designed to support policymakers and practitioners in understanding, developing, and applying research. Organizations represented at RECS 2024 included the federal government, nonprofits, universities, research firms, state and local governments, and philanthropies.

Can I earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for attending the conference?

CEUs are not offered at RECS.

Will any of the RECS 2026 session slides be made available after the conference?

Slides from RECS 2026 sessions will be accessible through the RECS App and may be requested via email when the mobile app closes.

General Questions

How can I stay updated on RECS 2026? 

You can subscribe to RECS News to receive updates.

Whom do I contact with additional questions?

Please email RECS@air.org with any questions about the conference.