101036.13-Study of Resources t

Study Name

Study of Resources to Initiate Successful Employment

Study Sharepoint ID

101036.13

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: Washington

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

Mental health services

Housing supports and subsidies

Transportation assistance

Work supports

On-the-job training

Subsidized employment/transitional jobs

Job placement

Job search assistance

Soft skills training

Job readiness

Populations targeted

Adults (age 25+)

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

13.20

Percent female

43.00

Percent Male

56.70

Percent No high school diploma or GED

26.60

Percent With a high school diploma or GED

73.40

Percent Employed

8.40

Percent Unemployed

91.60

Percent welfare population

100.00

Percent Asian

2.40

Percent Black or African American

24.70

Percent Hispanic or Latino of any race

14.30

Percent White not Hispanic

43.70

Percent More than one race

8.40

Percent another race

6.50

Percent Adults

86.80

Percent Old Adults

19.50

Percent English Learner

11.70

Percent Postsecondary credential

17.00

Mean age

38.00

Study Characteristics

Group formation formatted

The Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) enrolled 5,092 SNAP participants in the pilot and randomized roughly half to the RISE 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

RISE targeted work registrants who were long-term unemployed, homeless, veterans, noncustodial parents with child support arrears, or with limited English proficiency, and who had at least one critical or at least three general barriers to employment.

Implementing organization formatted

Washington Department of Social and Health Services, State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, Washington Employment Security Department, Washington Division of Child Support, Local workforce development councils, 21 community-based organizations, three community and technical colleges

Program history

RISE 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 Resources to Initiate Successful Employment (RISE) group were offered enhanced services including comprehensive case management, extensive wraparound and support services, a mandatory six-week life skills course called Strategies for Success (SfS), and work-based learning opportunities, in addition to basic services offered under the existing SNAP E&T program in Washington (job search assistance and job placement).

Comparison condition formatted

The control group was eligible for any employment and training services available in the community. Washington's existing SNAP E&T Program, Basic Food and Employment Training, offered job readiness training, basic skills/English as a second language training, occupational skills training, job search assistance, job placement, and participant reimbursement for support services.

Mandatory services formatted

None

Timing of study formatted

Average length of participation was 7 months.

Program funding formatted

Federal SNAP Pilot Funding

Setting details formatted

Four counties in Washington (King, Pierce, Spokane, Yakima)

Delivered by public or private entity?

Public-private partnership

Secondary domains examined

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