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From February 2012 to February 2014, the study team randomly assigned 1,217 program applicants to an intervention condition (609 people) or comparison condition (608 people). Applicants were eligible to participate if they lived in Pima County, were eligible to work, were interested in a career in health care, and had an income no more than 70 percent of the Department of Labor's Lower Living Standard Income Level.
Participants were randomly assigned from February 2012 to February 2014. This study analyzes results about three years following random assignment.
The Pathways for Advancing Careers and Education evaluation was funded by the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation in ACF, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Most of the participants were female (83 percent), and more than half were younger than 35. More than half of the participants were Hispanic (56 percent), and about one-quarter were White, not Hispanic (27 percent). About one-third had a high school diploma or equivalent (35 percent), and more than half had at least some postsecondary experience (57 percent). Participants' average annual household income was $17,236. In the 12 months leading up to the study, about two-thirds received benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (68 percent).
Pima Community College and the county workforce agency
PTH was originally part of the Health Profession Opportunity Grants demonstration, which began in 2010. The program was founded to enhance existing programming and services.
The PTH program offered occupational training in health care–related fields to people with low incomes who were interested in health care in Pima County, AZ. The program provided multiple pathways to earn credentials in the health care industry through a career pathways model. Those who were not yet prepared to enter occupational training could complete remedial coursework. Participants had access to intensive advising, scholarships for their training programs, and supportive services. The program also offered work readiness activities, including workshops to prepare for the job search and job search assistance.
Those in the comparison group could access available services in the community, some of which were comparable to those provided by PTH.
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Participants could enroll in programs that lasted 1 to 24 months. In addition, they could attend remedial coursework for about 10 weeks. On average, participants remained in the program for 11 months.
ACF, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Pima County, AZ (city of Tucson)
Psychosocial skills, life stressors, career progress, and financial status