2018 - 2028
(PDF)To further build the evidence around effective strategies for helping individuals with low incomes find and sustain employment, OPRE contracted with Mathematica to conduct the Next Generation of Enhanced Employment Strategies (NextGen) Project. This project is testing innovative, promising employment interventions designed to help individuals facing complex challenges secure a pathway toward economic independence. These challenges may be physical and mental health conditions, criminal justice system involvement, or limited formal work skills and experience. Additionally, the project is working closely with the Social Security Administration to incorporate a focus on employment-related early interventions for individuals with current or foreseeable disabilities who have limited work history and are potential applicants for Supplemental Security Income.
Key components of the project include:
- Impact Study — To examine the interventions’ impact on participants’ employment and earnings, and other outcomes of interest.
- Descriptive Study — To describe the design and operations of the selected interventions, and to document the outcomes of participants served by the interventions.
- Cost Study — To examine each interventions’ sources of funding, use of resources to implement the approach, costs and benefits, and sustainability.
Six programs have been selected to participate in the NextGen project:
- Bridges from School to Work (Bridges operates programs in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York City, Oakland, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. A select number of Bridges programs will participate in the evaluation.)
- Individual Placement and Support for Individuals with Justice Involvement (Case Management Incorporated, Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center, Grand Lake Mental Health Center, Pee Dee Mental Health, and Transitions Mental Health Services)
- Mental health Outreach for MotherS (MOMS) Partnership (Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance)
- Philadelphia Workforce Inclusion Networks (Philly WINs)
- Work Success (Utah Department of Workforce Services)
- Wellness, Comprehensive Assessment, Rehabilitation, and Employment (New York City Human Resources Administration)
Lessons learned from the project will be shared with a broad range of interested parties including as policymakers, practitioners, program developers, and researchers across the welfare, workforce, disability, education, and justice communities.
As part of OPRE’s Innovative Strategies for Addressing Employment Barriers Portfolio, the NextGen project is actively coordinating with Building Evidence on Employment Strategies for Low-Income Families Project (BEES). BEES is another OPRE project focused on strengthening 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.
Point(s) of contact: Marie Lawrence, Sarita Barton, and Hilary Bruck.
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 #0970-0545. Related materials are available at the OPRE Evaluation: Next Generation of Enhanced Employment Strategies Project [Impact, Descriptive, and Cost Studies] page on RegInfo.gov.
The most currently approved documents are accessible by clicking on the ICR Ref. No. with the most recent conclusion date. To access the information collections (E.g. interviews, surveys, protocols), click on View Information Collection (IC) List. Click on View Supporting Statement and Other Documents to access other supplementary documents.
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:
Pre-testing of Evaluation Data Collection Activities (OMB #0970-0355)
- Next Generation of Enhanced Employment Strategies Project (Site Assessment)
Formative Data Collections for ACF Research (OMB #0970-0356)