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Case managers in the Division of Child Support Services Fatherhood Program referred interested and eligible noncustodial parents to take part in a three- to four-day assessment for Good Transitions that took place every other week. In order to reach their target recruitment number, noncustodial parents were also recruited from community programs, mass mailings, ads, visits to barbershops, and the parole and probation agency; these individuals were sent to the Fatherhood Program for referral into the Good Transitions program. Individuals were eligible if they were a low-income, noncustodial parent with child support orders; passed a drug test; and were registered with Selective Service (unless they were female). During the assessment week, potential participants were administered drug tests and written assignments and were assessed on suitability for the program based on a range of areas, including motivation, punctuality, criminal background, work history, and problem solving. Potential participants who were not selected for the program were referred to other services. Potential participants who were selected then received more information about the program and, if they agreed to participate, were randomly assigned to either the Good Transitions program or a comparison group. A total of 996 people were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (501) or the comparison group (495).
Evaluators randomly assigned people into groups for the study between March 2012 and December 2013. The study reports impacts up to 30 months after random assignment.
Employment and Training Administration in the U.S. Department of Labor and ACF
The study examined noncustodial parents with low income. The majority were male (94 percent), were Black (91 percent), and had an average age of 40 years. At the time the study began, 12 percent were married, 34 percent had formerly been incarcerated, and 20 percent did not have a high school diploma.
Goodwill of North Georgia and the Georgia Division of Child Support Services's Fatherhood Program
The program was developed for the demonstration.
The Good Transitions program served noncustodial parents with low income. Participants entering the program first underwent two days of assessments, and then they were placed in a subsidized job at Goodwill for about one month. During this time, an on-site job coach provided feedback and support. After this initial experience with subsidized employment, participants were placed with a private employer in less supported subsidized employment for about three months. The program also provided case management; life-skills workshops; job development services; and short-term, occupation-specific training.
Comparison group members could participate in other programs or receive services from the Fatherhood Program that referred participants into the Good Transitions program.
None.
Participants typically had four months of subsidized employment.
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
The program took place in Atlanta, GA.
Child support and family relations, Material hardship, Criminal justice, Economic and personal well-being