The Padua Pilot aimed to promote self-sufficiency among families with low incomes who had an adult willing and able to work, offering individualized and holistic case management services, which included job training, housing assistance, budgeting, financial literacy, and coaching for overall well-being. The Padua Pilot had five key components to deliver intensive case management services: detailed assessment of goals, skills, and barriers to success; a strengths-based individualized service plan; using two-person teams of a case manager and case worker; case management services that include coaching, mentoring, direct services, and referrals; and providing flexible financial assistance to address obstacles.
Services were provided for up to 24 months, with the average participant spending 16 months in the program. The initial assessment was typically completed within 45 days of enrollment. The master’s level case manager and bachelor’s level case worker teams had caseloads of 18 to 24 participants. After the initial assessment process, case management meetings occurred at least bi-weekly.
Eligible participants had to have low family income (approximately 185 percent of federal poverty line), reside in Tarrant County, TX, and have at least one adult in the household who demonstrated they were willing and able to work. The study was conducted in Fort Worth, TX.
The comparison group received standard services from CCFW, most commonly a short-term, modest amount of emergency financial assistance.
The Padua Pilot enrolled participants between March 2015 and October 2016 with a follow-up period of at least two years after enrollment (through October 2018).
The Padua Pilot had five core aspects of the program:
- Detailed assessment. A strengths-based assessment process completed across four to five meetings within 45 days of enrollment. The assessment identified goals, obstacles, and assets across twelve domains, assigning scores on a five-point scale from “In Crisis” to “Thriving”.
- Service plan. Case management teams set strengths-based goals with clients with series of action steps and benchmarks. Clients were encouraged to complete at least one action step every three weeks.
- Case management teams and caseloads. Two-person case management teams had caseloads of 18-24 clients and meet at least bi-weekly with clients. Teams included a master’s level case manager and a bachelor’s level case worker, with supervision from a program manager.
- Case management services. Key activities included coaching and mentoring, referrals to external services, and regular evaluation of service plan progress. The case management team typically focused first on goals for stabilizing families and then on goals related to acquiring skills or employment. Case managers also coordinated with other CCFW staff and resources, including employment, education, housing, and transportation specialists.
- Flexible financial resources. Financial assistance to address obstacles was made available on a case-by-case basis. These resources could address a variety of needs, including transportation, security deposits, or child care.
The study did not discuss any tools to measure fidelity to the program model.
The program was funded by Catholic Charities Fort Worth.
CCFW is located in Fort Worth, TX. The study was conducted in Tarrant County, TX.
The Padua Pilot was implemented by Catholic Charities of Fort Worth (CCFW), which serves the city of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, TX.
No partners were indicated for delivering the Padua Pilot, though the Padua case managers coordinate with other CCFW staff and resources.
The Padua Pilot aimed to serve families with low incomes with adults able and willing to work who resided in Tarrant County, TX. A majority of participants were female (85 percent) and had an average age of 37 years. Slightly more than a half of the participants were single mothers (56 percent). The majority were recipients of public assistance (65 percent). Twenty-five percent had a high school diploma or GED. Less than half (40 percent) were employed at baseline.
The Padua Pilot provided up to 24 months of assistance with the average participant receiving services for 16 months. The initial assessment process was typically completed over four to five meetings within the first 45 days after enrollment. Case management meetings after the assessment process typically occurred at least bi-weekly.
The Padua Pilot had two-person case management teams, a case manager and a case worker, with supervision from a program manager. Case managers must have a master’s degree; case workers must have a bachelor’s degree. The case management teams received extensive training at onboarding and on an ongoing basis from CCFW.