Overview

The Innovative Strategies for Increasing Self-Sufficiency (ISIS) project will test strategies to promote employment and self-sufficiency among economically disadvantaged families, including those receiving, or at risk of receiving, TANF. At the beginning of the project period, the ISIS team consulted with over 250 stakeholders in order to identify promising intervention strategies for evaluation. From these discussions, consensus emerged that the evaluation should focus on a relatively wide population of low-income parents (not limited to TANF recipients); that ISIS should study interventions with potential for substantial effects on earnings and income rather than just modest effects; and that ISIS should prioritize strategies focused on skills development, as well as related financial and other supports.

Based on stakeholder input, and taking into account the presence of programs suitable for evaluation, the ISIS team has come to focus on career pathways as the main intervention framework to study. Career pathways consist of a series of connected education and training steps paired with related supports. Steps along the pathway lead to employment in a specific sector or occupation but can also lead to further training. Examples include basic and sectoral bridge programs to semi-skilled jobs; short-term certificate programs; and longer-term certificate and associate's degree programs. The pathway allows individuals to achieve employment and progressively advance over time. ISIS is focusing especially on career pathways models that comprehensively integrate education and training, employment, and support strategies. The project is also considering the study of interventions intended to increase financial supports, including access to public benefits.

The project is currently in the recruitment phase. The ISIS team is working with potential partner organizations that are operating promising career pathways programs to determine specific interventions to be tested. Up to nine selected partner organizations will participate in a random assignment evaluation as well as impact, implementation and cost-benefit analyses. Partner organizations will also benefit from ongoing technical assistance and facilitated peeer-to-peer interaction and communication to create an environment of learning, creativity, and innovation.

ISIS is being conducted by Abt Associates in collaboration with subcontractors from The Urban Institute, George Washington University, Berkeley Policy Associates, BCT Partners, National Governors' Association, American Public Human Services Association, and National Conference of State Legislatures.

The project period is 9/28/07-09/30/14. The points of contact are Brendan Kelly and Emily Schmitt. Ask a Question.