101036.03-Study of Work Opport

Study Name

Study of Work Opportunity Networks to Develop Employment Readiness

Study Sharepoint ID

101036.03

Evaluation name

Evaluation of Pilot Projects to Promote Work and Increase State Accountability in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Expanding Opportunities & Reducing Barriers to Work: Delaware

This study received a high study quality rating because it is a low-attrition randomized controlled trial with no known issues that suggest the findings cannot be attributed to the intervention.

Design

Randomized controlled trial

Services

Performance- or behavior-based financial incentives

Case management

Childcare and/or early education

Work supports

Financial education

Legal assistance

Pre-apprenticeship training

Subsidized employment/transitional jobs

Job placement

Job readiness

Job search assistance

Occupational or sectoral training

Populations targeted

Public benefits recipients

Unemployed

Settings in which the intervention was studied

Tested in multiple settings

Demographics

Subgroups

Subgroup data - Female

Subgroup data - Male

Subgroup data - White

Subgroup data - Black

Percent Young Adults

20.10

Percent female

41.60

Percent Male

58.30

Percent No high school diploma or GED

24.40

Percent With a high school diploma or GED

75.60

Percent Employed

12.40

Percent Unemployed

87.50

Percent welfare population

100.00

Percent Asian

0.60

Percent Black or African American

49.70

Percent Hispanic or Latino of any race

8.20

Percent White not Hispanic

38.50

Percent More than one race

2.50

Percent another race

0.50

Percent Adults

79.90

Percent Old Adults

8.00

Percent Postsecondary credential

12.20

Mean age

34.10

Study Characteristics

Group formation formatted

6,814 SNAP participants were enrolled in the pilot and randomized to the WONDER group or the control group. The program targeted new work registrants (those who had not received SNAP benefits during the six months before random assignment).

Study timing formatted

Three years

Study funding formatted

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Nutrition Service, Contract Number AG-3198-B-15-0002/12319818F0080

Sample Characteristics

WONDER targeted new work registrants, able bodied adults without dependents who had not received SNAP benefits during the six months before random assignment.

Implementing organization formatted

Delaware Department of Health and Social Services - Division of Social Services, Eastside Rising, the Food Bank of Delaware (Food Bank), Delaware Technical Community College (DelTech), PolyTech Adult Education (PolyTech), KraftHeinz, and Career TEAM

Program history

WONDER was one of 10 pilot programs across the country authorized and funded by the Agricultural Act of 2014 to offer enhanced SNAP E&T services to help connect SNAP participants to employment opportunities.

Treatment condition formatted

Individuals in the treatment group were eligible for enhanced services through the Work Opportunity Networks to Develop Employment Readiness (WONDER) program in addition to any other eligible employment and training services available in their community. WONDER participants could participate in four service tracks focused on construction, culinary arts, manufacturing, and job placement services. The program provided industry-specific training programs, subsidized employment, job placement assistance, job readiness assistance, intensive case management, and support services.

Comparison condition formatted

The control group was eligible for existing SNAP E&T services and any employment and training services available in the community.

Mandatory services formatted

None

Timing of study formatted

4 to 5 months

Program funding formatted

Federal SNAP Pilot Funding

Setting details formatted

Delaware

Delivered by public or private entity?

Public-private partnership