Job Search Assistance Strategies Evaluation
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Transcript of Job Search Assistance Strategies Evaluation
Job Search Assistance Strategies Evaluation
Presentation for American Public Human Services Association
February 25, 2014
Abt Associates & Mathematica | pg 2
Discussion Goals
Introduce the importance of understanding effective job search assistance (JSA) strategies
Describe the components of JSA programs
Summarize what we know from existing research on JSA
Identify research gaps
Describe the JSA evaluation and how states might participate
Abt Associates & Mathematica | pg 3
Importance of Understanding JSA
JSA services are central to TANF programs but little is known about what works best
Past rigorous studies show positive effects for JSA services when provided as part of welfare-to-work activities, but studies are dated
– Type and duration of JSA that are most effective
– Job search in a changing and recovering economic environment
– How technology has created both opportunities and challenges for the job search process
Abt Associates & Mathematica | pg 4
Components of JSA Programs
Assessment
Self-directed job search
Group job search activities
One-on-one counseling
“Life skills”/resilience training
Job development/job matching
Abt Associates & Mathematica | pg 5
Discussion Questions
What types of JSA strategies do you use in your program?
What types of strategies would you like to expand or include?
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What Do We Know about JSA?
JSA is effective at speeding entry into work
The impacts from JSA are modest. It mostly increases the speed at which people find jobs, rather than affecting the quality of jobs they attain
Some evidence that mandatory JSA (and the use of sanctions) lead primarily to reductions in cash assistance, with weaker impacts on earnings
More intensive and more personalized JSA programs do not have clearly better outcomes
Abt Associates & Mathematica | pg 7
Discussion Questions
What do you know about your current JSA program?
What would you like to know?
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Research Objectives
High priority study to determine “what works” in providing job search assistance to TANF recipients.
Study will examine the impact of JSA program approaches TANF recipients’ short-term employment and earnings, and potentially job quality and receipt of public assistance
Results will be of great operational value to all states, but especially those that participate
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Study Team
Sponsored by Administration for Children and Families, conducted by Abt Associates and Mathematica Policy Research
APHSA, Rockefeller Institute of Government, Russell Sykes Consulting, and Don Winstead Consulting are also partners
Abt Associates & Mathematica | pg 10
Study Approach
Evaluation Design: – Impact study will randomly assign individuals to contrasting JSA
approaches and then compare employment and earnings– Implementation study will examine services received under each
approach, and provide operational lessons
Sites: – Large samples are needed– Looking to implement the same JSA tests in multiple
states/localities
Current activities:– Determining what JSA approaches should be tested– Identifying potential sites to participate in the evaluation
Abt Associates | pg 11
Key Tasks and Project Timeline
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3
Knowledge Development/Site Selection
Random Assignment & Monitoring
Implementation Study
Impact Study Data Collection & Analysis
Abt Associates & Mathematica | pg 12
Identifying JSA Models to Test
Key factors to consider– Creating policy-relevant tests of interest to ACF, the policy
community, and the field
– Feasibility of implementing different JSA interventions within a single TANF agency
– Feasibility of consistent implementation of treatment condition across various offices and sites
Focus on identifying common approaches as well as contrasts that are most relevant to the field
Goal is develop tests of different JSA approaches; there is no “no-service” control group
Abt Associates & Mathematica | pg 13
Examples of What Could be Studied
TANF applicant JSA Self-directed JSA vs. group JSA Self-directed JSA vs. one-on-one guided JSA “Life skills” training Job development services
Abt Associates & Mathematica | pg 14
Participating in the Study
Excellent opportunity to test an approach to JSA that you might not otherwise be able to consider
Site could be a state or individual localities Participating locations will continue to implement
their existing JSA program, but will modify or adopt a contrasting strategy and randomly assign individuals to different approaches
Evaluation team will work to minimize disruption to current operations and provide guidance and support
Financial payments to offset research-related costs
Abt Associates & Mathematica | pg 15
Next Steps
Conference calls with interested states/localities to:– Understand what you think is most important to learn from
the evaluation– Discuss potential participation in the study
Develop tests and sites over the next several months, with the goal of implementing random assignment in early 2015
Please contact us if you are interested in learning more!
Abt Associates & Mathematica | pg 16
Discussion Questions
What JSA approaches would you be most interested in learning about as part of this evaluation?
What is important for us to know from you (those operating these programs) about conducting this evaluation?
Abt Associates & Mathematica | pg 17
Key Contacts
Karin Martinson, Project Director, [email protected]
Michelle Derr, Co-Principal Investigator [email protected]
Cynthia Woodside, APHSA, [email protected]
Rachel Cook, Deputy Project Director, [email protected]