Ethics, Discipline, Goals, Employment (EDGE) - Enhanced Community College Services (ECCS) group provided intensive case management to new and current SNAP work registrants, focusing on able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs), requiring participants to enroll in a four-week career readiness course followed by a choice of three pathways—academic (basic education, post-secondary education, or occupational skills training), work (subsidized or unsubsidized employment), or life skills (work or behavioral skills). The four-week EDGE class included completing the Test of Adult Basic Education and WorkKeys assessments, career readiness workshops, and an individual career plan that informed which of the three pathways participants would enter. Participants also received intensive case management and support services from career navigators at EDGE colleges.
The duration of the education and life skills pathways varied by program selected; the work pathway provided up to 320 hours of subsidized employment. Career navigators met with participants weekly during the EDGE class phase and monthly during the pathways phase and provided up to 90 days of employment retention services to participants who found employment.
The study was conducted in 29 counties in Mississippi.
The comparison group was eligible for eligible for existing SNAP E&T services and any other employment and training services available in the community. Mississippi offered limited services through its mandatory program; the control group received 30 days of up-front job search followed by workfare, plus transportation support. Tuition assistance and GED classes were available in some counties.
EDGE - ECCS enrolled participants between March 2016 and February 2019 with a follow-up period of at least three years after enrollment.
EDGE - ECCS provided intensive case management combined with a two-phase program:
- EDGE Class. In the first phase, participants completed an intensive 4-week job readiness class. Participants first completed the Test of Adult Basic Education and WorkKeys assessment, followed by career readiness workshops, with content including computer skills, personality assessment, work readiness skills, financial literacy, and mock interviews and communications skills. This phase culminated with an individual career plan that aligned with one of three program service pathways.
- Academic, work, or life skills service pathways. The academic pathway consisted of choosing basic education courses, GED preparation, academic classes at a community college, or occupational skills training. The work pathway consisted of subsidized employment for up to 320 hours at $9 per hour. The life skills pathway included work readiness and behavioral skills classes.
- Case management and support services. Career navigators at the participating colleges provided case management. Meetings with participants focused on barriers to employment and available supports, which could include transportation, training or personal needs, or items needed for work.
The study did not discuss any tools to measure fidelity to the program model.
The program was funded by federal SNAP E&T Pilot demonstration funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
EDGE - ECCS was implemented in 29 counties across Mississippi The Mississippi Department of Human Services has multiple offices statewide with its headquarters located in Jackson, MS. Mississippi State University’s Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center is located in Starkville, MS. Jobs for Mississippi Graduates has locations statewide and is affiliated with the Foundation for the Mid South, which has headquarters in Jackson, MS.
The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) developed and administered EDGE. Mississippi State University’s National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center was contracted by MDHS to develop and monitor data collections systems for EDGE. Jobs for Mississippi Graduates was contracted by MDHS to provide case management and conduct outreach to enroll participants. MDHS contracted with five community colleges to provide case management, the EDGE class, and pathways services.
Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) developed and administered EDGE -ECCS along with three key partners:
- Mississippi State University’s National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center. Contracted by MDHS to develop and monitor data collections systems for EDGE.
- Jobs for Mississippi Graduates. Contracted by MDHS to provide case management and conduct outreach.
- Five community colleges. Contracted by MDHS to provide case management, deliver the EDGE job readiness class, and provide the pathways services.
EDGE - ECCS was targeted to ABAWD SNAP work registrants. The average participant was Black (70 percent), male (51 percent), and had a high school diploma or equivalent (70 percent). Most participants were unemployed (94 percent).
The EDGE job readiness class lasted four weeks. The duration of the academic, work, and life skills pathways varied by program selected and provider. In the work pathway, subsidized jobs lasted up to 320 hours. Case management meetings were weekly during the 4-week EDGE class and then monthly. Additionally, participants who found employment could receive up to 90 days for retention services.
Community colleges provided the career navigators who conducted case management activities. Information about the staff who delivered the EDGE classes and pathways services was not available in the study.