101036.11-Study of EleVAte

Study Name

Study of EleVAte

Study Sharepoint ID

101036.11

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: Virginia

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

Case management

Employment coaching

Transportation assistance

Tuition assistance/financial aid

Work supports

Occupational or sectoral training

Job search assistance

Soft skills training

Integrated education and training

Populations targeted

Public benefits recipients

At least a high school diploma or equivalent

Adults (age 25+)

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

13.00

Percent female

74.20

Percent Male

25.60

Percent No high school diploma or GED

19.80

Percent With a high school diploma or GED

80.20

Percent Employed

28.00

Percent Unemployed

72.00

Percent welfare population

100.00

Percent Asian

1.00

Percent Black or African American

70.80

Percent Hispanic or Latino of any race

3.70

Percent White not Hispanic

19.60

Percent More than one race

4.10

Percent another race

0.80

Percent Adults

87.00

Percent Old Adults

18.20

Percent English Learner

1.70

Percent Postsecondary credential

17.90

Mean age

37.20

Study Characteristics

Group formation formatted

The Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) enrolled 5,027 SNAP participants in the pilot and randomized roughly half to the EleVAte group and the other half to the control group.

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

EleVAte targeted SNAP recipients, including but not limited to ABAWDs and work registrants.

Implementing organization formatted

Virginia Department of Social Services, Virginia Community College System

Program history

EleVAte 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

The treatment group was offered enhanced services through the EleVAte program, which included a mix of assessments and career counseling, case management, online digital literacy and basic computer skills training, job readiness training, group counseling, adult basic education and GED services, occupational skills training leading to certified credentials, and support services. Individuals were placed into one of three service components based on their assessed reading proficiency level and were then eligible to receive specific services.

Comparison condition formatted

The control group was eligible for any 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 (for example, to the local workforce development center).

Mandatory services formatted

None

Timing of study formatted

Average length of participation was 3 months.

Program funding formatted

Federal SNAP Pilot Funding

Setting details formatted

24 Virginia localities served by 22 DSS agencies and 7 community colleges

Delivered by public or private entity?

Public

Secondary domains examined

The study reports impacts on food security, health, well-being, and housing status.