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Summary

The EleVAte program placed able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) SNAP participants into one of three service components based on a reading level assessment and training interests: a hybrid online and in-person basic adult education program, a short-term occupational skills training course, or a longer-term occupational skills training course with integrated basic education.

The EleVAte program placed able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) SNAP participants into one of three service components based on a reading level assessment and training interests: a hybrid online and in-person basic adult education program, a short-term occupational skills training course, or a longer-term occupational skills training course with integrated basic education. The first component, EleVAte Virginia Online provided customized, self-paced online basic adult education blended with in-person instruction, targeted to participants reading between 3rd to 5th grade levels. The second component, Job Skills Training Program (JSTP) offered enrollment in short-term occupational skills courses plus Moral Reconation Therapy, which blends a group cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention with life skills training, and was targeted to those reading between a 5th and 8th grade level. The third component, PluggedIn Virginia (PIVA) was a longer-term occupational skills training course combined with a hybrid online and in-person integrated education program aiming to support obtaining a high school equivalency credential, targeted to those reading at an 8th grade level or higher. In addition to the selected component, all participants were offered career coaching, digital literacy training, job readiness and soft skills training, and support services.

EleVAte Virginia Online lasted between 6 to 8 weeks. JSTP lasted between 8 to 12 weeks, with the Moral Reconation Therapy component lasting a few hours per week. PIVA lasted 6 to 8 months. The services offered to all participants were available throughout the period of program participation.

The study was conducted statewide in Virginia.

101036.11-Study of EleVAte
Populations and employment barriers: Public benefits recipients, At least a high school diploma or equivalent, Adults (age 25+)

Effectiveness rating and effect by outcome domain

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Outcome domain Term Effectiveness rating Effect in 2024 dollars and percentages Effect in standard deviations Sample size
Increase earnings Short-term Not supported unfavorable $-1,057 per year -0.029 3836
Long-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable $-765 per year -0.021 3836
Very long-term No evidence to assess support
Increase employment Short-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable -1% (in percentage points) -0.028 3836
Long-term Not supported unfavorable -3% (in percentage points) -0.070 3836
Very long-term No evidence to assess support
Decrease benefit receipt Short-term Not supported favorable $-48 per year -0.014 3836
Long-term Supported favorable $-82 per year -0.024 3836
Very long-term No evidence to assess support
Increase education and training All measurement periods No evidence to assess support
* This intervention was assessed as supported for this domain, meaning it achieved one or more statistically significant, favorable effects. However, the intervention has an average effect size that is unfavorable because the average includes all effects in this domain - both statistically significant and favorable effects and statistically insignificant but unfavorable effects.

Effectiveness rating key:

  • Well-supported Well-supported   
  • Supported  Supported   
  • Not supported  Not supported   
  • Mixed support  Mixed support   
  • Insufficient evidence  Insufficient evidence   
  • No evidence  No evidence
Effectiveness rating terms?

Studies of this intervention

Study quality rating Study counts per rating
High High 1
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Implementation details

Dates covered by study

EleVAte enrolled participants between March 2016 and December 2018 with a follow-up period of at least three years after enrollment.

Organizations implementing intervention

The Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) worked with local DSS agencies to administer the program, in partnership with the Virginia Community College System (VCSS). Participating community colleges coordinated services with Virginia’s regional adult basic education providers.

Populations served

EleVAte was targeted to ABAWDs and work registrants receiving SNAP. The average participant was Black (70 percent), female (74 percent), and had a high school diploma or equivalent (80 percent). The majority of participants were unemployed (72 percent).

Description of services implemented

EleVAate had three main components tied to assessed reading levels at program entry:

  • EleVAte Virginia Online. Customized self-paced basic adult education program blending online content with in-person instruction to improve math and reading skills. Targeted to participants assessed at 3rd to 5th grade reading level.
  • Job Skills Training Program. Offered enrollment in short-term occupational training programs through community colleges. Moral Reconation Therapy, which combines a group-based cognitive-behavioral intervention with life skills training, was also offered and facilitated by a certified counselor.
  • PluggedIn Virginia. Advanced, longer-term occupational skills training courses were combined with a hybrid online and classroom-based contextualized adult education focused on attainment of a high school equivalency credential.

Additional services offered to all participants included:

  • Soft skills and job search training and assistance. Most participants had to participate in online, self-paced trainings on digital literacy, soft skills, and job readiness, in addition to supplemental individual and group workshops and career coaching.
  • Case management and support services. Adult career coaches and counselors provided supports and referrals from the community colleges to other programs, such as community-based mental health programs. Financial supports were available for costs related to transportation, educational materials, rent, and work clothing or tools.

Comparison conditions

The comparison group was eligible for existing SNAP E&T and any other employment and training services available in the community. Virginia's existing SNAP E&T program was voluntary, and at the time of the pilot was not available in all localities. It offered basic case management, support services, limited access to education and training services delivered by local providers, and referrals to other services in the community.

Partnerships

Virginia DSS oversaw EleVAte in coordination with local DSS agencies and partnered with:

  • Virginia Community College System. Lead provider of EleVAte services through seven participating community colleges.
  • Virginia Adult Basic Education. Regional providers delivered the basic education services in coordination with the participating community colleges.

Staffing

EleVAte Virginia Online took 6 to 8 weeks to complete. JSTP took 8 to 12 weeks to complete. PIVA took 6 to 8 months to complete.

Fidelity measures

The study did not discuss any tools to measure fidelity to the program model.

Funding source

The program was funded by federal SNAP E&T Pilot demonstration funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The information contained here reflects how the intervention was implemented at the time of the evaluation.

Local context

EleVAte was implemented in 24 localities across Virginia through 22 local DSS agencies and seven community colleges. Virginia DSS is headquartered in Glen Allen, VA with five regional offices and many local offices. Virginia Community College System is headquartered in Richmond, VA.

Characteristics of research participants
Black or African American
71%
White, not Hispanic
20%
Asian
1%
Another race
1%
More than one race
4%
Hispanic or Latino of any race
4%

The race and ethnicity categories may sum to more than 100 percent if the authors reported race and ethnicity separately; in these cases, we report the category White, rather than White, not Hispanic.

State(s) where implemented

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY Canada

The Pathways Clearinghouse refers to interventions by the names used in study reports or manuscripts. Some intervention names may use language that is not consistent with our style guide, preferences, or the terminology we use to describe populations.