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Subgroups
This study is a randomized controlled trial. The Minority Female Single Parent (MFSP) evaluation took place in four community-based organizations across the United States. This review focuses on the program that was operated by the AUL in Atlanta, GA. Between November 1984 and December 1987, the study randomly assigned low-income, minority single mothers to the intervention group—in which study members were offered the opportunity to participate in the program—or to the comparison group—in which study members were ineligible to participate in the MFSP but could seek other training programs or support services. Participants did not need to be collecting welfare (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) payments in order to be eligible. The AUL randomized sample included 925 participants, the 12-month follow-up analysis sample included 797 participants, and the 30-month follow-up analysis sample included 672 participants. The timing of the surveys is with respect to sample members’ application to receive services. Information on the time between application and random assignment or service receipt is not available.
Enrollment occurred between 1984 and 1987. Funding for the program was available through 1988.
The Rockefeller Foundation supported the evaluation.
Participants enrolled in the study were single-parent, female minorities. On average, intervention-group respondents to the 30-month survey were between 28 and 29 years old at baseline; about 99 percent were African American, and about 2 percent were Hispanic. More than half of these participants had received a high school diploma (58 percent), and about 8 percent had a GED. About two-thirds of participants reported receiving public assistance in the year before the baseline survey.
Atlanta Urban League
The program was developed for this study. Before the study, the AUL had strong cooperative relationships with other training and service agencies and had been involved in a variety of employment and training efforts (such as a preparation course for civil service tests, an information and counseling center, and sponsorship of a Supported Work Demonstration site) but did not operate a comprehensive training program.
The MFSP program implemented by the AUL was based on a service model that analyzed participants’ needs, connected participants with appropriate services already available in the community, and, when necessary, provided in-house training and services. The program at the AUL focused first on providing full-time adult basic education and GED instruction to women with poor reading, writing, or math skills, and then supported occupational skills training once participants overcame academic barriers. The AUL program included the following: (1) use of existing community-based training programs whenever feasible and implementation of new training courses only when existing courses were inadequate or unavailable, (2) a focus on preparing participants to qualify for skilled training programs in the community while incorporating established entrance requirements, (3) assessment by program professionals of participants’ academic and skill levels to help formulate realistic goals and make appropriate training plans, and (4) child care assistance.
Comparison group participants were able to obtain services available in the community but did not receive specific referrals or support from the AUL for 30 months.
None.
Service length varied depending on participant needs and the providers offering the services; skill-training courses varied in length from eight weeks to two years.
The Rockefeller Foundation; matching funds from other sources
The study took place at the AUL in Atlanta, GA. The AUL is a community-based organization with strong ties to other training and service agencies.
Mental health, Family formation, Job characteristics