2010-2021
This project evaluated subsidized and transitional employment approaches for critical low-income populations, potentially including welfare recipients and low-income non-custodial parents. The project examined subsidized employment strategies designed to address two distinct goals: (1) provide work-based income support for people who were not able to find regular, unsubsidized jobs; and 2) to improve the employability of disadvantaged groups. These strategies built upon approaches that demonstrated empirical effectiveness in previous studies, tested new and innovative interventions designed to demonstrate promising program components, and adapted to current policy environments at the federal, state, and local levels.
The project began with a short-term analysis of what is known about existing or previous approaches to subsidized employment, including transitional jobs, especially within the context of current TANF policies and requirements as well as efforts under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Eight sites participated in STED:
- Goodwill of North Georgia (Atlanta, GA) (DOL Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration grantee)
- Office of Economic and Workforce Development (San Francisco, CA) (DOL Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration grantee).
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services
- San Francisco City and County Agency for Human Services
- New York City Center for Economic Opportunity
- Bridges & Pathways (Chicago DFSS)
- Minnesota Subsidized Employment Program
- Paycheck Plus (Atlanta, GA)
Random assignment was completed in all sites. The goal of this evaluation was to increase our knowledge about the efficacy of subsidized employment programs.
The evaluation was conducted by MDRC and its subcontractors, Branch Associates, Decision Information Resources (DIR) and MEF Associates.
Point(s) of contact: Girley Wright.