(2017 — 2028)
The purpose of this project is to strengthen ACF’s understanding of effective interventions aimed at supporting individuals with low incomes to find jobs, advance in the labor market, and improve their economic security.
Intended to build on previous research on the effectiveness of various employment strategies, the BEES project is funding rigorous evaluations of promising programs serving recipients of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program or other similarly low-income families who are not receiving TANF cash assistance. BEES has prioritized evaluations of programs that serve adults whose employment prospects have been affected by opioid use disorder, other substance use disorders, or mental health conditions. The project is also funding descriptive work of additional sites providing employment services to people in those populations. In addition, the project has partnered with the Social Security Administration to evaluate employment-related interventions targeting individuals with current or foreseeable disabilities who have limited work history and are at risk of applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Ultimately, the goal of the project is to strengthen ACF’s understanding of evidence-supported programs that are effective in improving employment and economic security.
MDRC is the lead contractor; their partners include Abt Associates and MEF Associates.
Point(s) of contact: Megan Reid.
BEES has registered the following impact evaluations on the American Economic Association’s Randomized Control Trials Registry:
- Breaking Barriers San Diego
- Central City Concern
- Individual Placement and Support in a Federally Qualified Health Center Setting
- Individual Placement and Support in a Substance Use Disorder Treatment Setting
- Individual Placement and Support in a TANF/SNAP Population
Information collections related to this project have been reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs under OMB #0970-0537. Related materials are available at the BEES Project page on RegInfo.gov.
Information collections related to this project have also been reviewed and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs under ACF’s Generic Clearances. Related materials are available at the following pages on RegInfo.gov:
Formative Data Collections for ACF Research (OMB #0970-0356):Building Evidence on Employment Strategies for Low-Income Families Generic Clearance