- Log in to post comments
From November 2000 through December 2002, individuals determined to be eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in Corpus Christi, TX, were randomly assigned to the ERA program or Choices program (comparison group) before receiving cash assistance. Participants assigned to the ERA program attended a TANF orientation. They then received cash assistance and began to participate in ERA activities. Participation in the ERA and Choices conditions was mandatory for the majority of those randomly assigned. This study includes 234 research sample members who were in two-parent families (another study examines effects for single-parent families). Only one member of each family is included in the sample. If both parents were eligible for the program, program staff selected one to participate in the study before random assignment, but both could be eligible to receive services.
Random assignment began in November 2000 and continued through December 2002. Evaluators followed up with participants for four years after random assignment.
The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation in ACF at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funded the study, with support from the U.S. Department of Labor.
All participants were in two-parent families. Across all members of two-parent families enrolled in ERA, half were White and non-Hispanic, 32 percent were Hispanic, and 12 percent were Black and non-Hispanic. On average, participants were 31 years old. More than half (62 percent) had at least a high school diploma or equivalent certification, and more than half (59 percent) were employed during the quarter when they enrolled in ERA. In the year before enrolling in ERA, most participants (76 percent) received the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and slightly less than half (42 percent) received TANF.
A nonprofit organization under contract with the local workforce board provided the services.
The Texas Department of Human Services and Texas Workforce Commission developed the program in 1999 for use in the ERA study.
TANF recipients assigned to the Texas ERA program attended an initial orientation and then a four-day job search workshop. They then spent four to six weeks searching for jobs. The program assigned those who did not secure employment to community service or volunteer positions. People who found jobs were eligible for a $200 monthly stipend for up to 12 months if they were employed for at least 30 hours per week, participated in a post-employment advancement activity, or left TANF; they could also be eligible for the stipend if they worked 15 hours per week and participated in an education and training activity. The first four months of earnings for people in the program were disregarded when calculating their eligibility for TANF. Texas ERA staff also helped clients address job-related problems and provided reemployment assistance and support in meeting stipend requirements. Program staff made regular employer site visits. Participants were eligible for these services as long as they were eligible for the monthly stipend. Program staff coordinated case management services (including employment assessment, goal setting and career planning, support services, barrier resolution, and job search assistance) across several partner agencies.
TANF recipients assigned to Texas's standard welfare-to-work program (called Choices) received job search assistance, case management services, and support services after attending an orientation session. They spent four to six weeks searching for jobs, after which those who did not find employment were assigned to community service or volunteer positions. Clients could have four months of earnings disregarded when calculating their TANF benefit amount and could receive post-employment services during those four months. Case management services included employment assessment, goal setting and career planning, support services, barrier resolution, and job search assistance, but the services were not as intensive or coordinated across agencies as they were in the Texas ERA program.
Participation in ERA was mandatory for all individuals, except those who had a child younger than 1, were ill or disabled, or were caring for a disabled family member.
Preemployment services lasted up to 7 weeks, and financial incentives for job retention lasted up to 12 months.
Texas TANF agency (primary); ACF, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The study took place in Corpus Christi, TX.
None