25368-Linking Innovation,

Study Name

Linking Innovation, Knowledge, and Employment (@LIKE) Program

Study Sharepoint ID

25368

Evaluation name

Impact Evaluation of the Linking Innovation, Knowledge, and Employment (@LIKE) Program

This study received a low study quality rating because the intervention was always provided in combination with another factor and the effect of the intervention cannot be disentangled from the effect of that other factor.

This study received a low study quality rating because the intervention was always provided in combination with another factor and the effect of the intervention cannot be disentangled from the effect of that other factor.

Design

Quasi-experimental design

Services

Occupational or sectoral training

Work and work-based learning

Apprenticeships

On-the-job training

Unpaid work experience

Work experience

Work readiness activities

Populations targeted

Young adults (aged 16-24)

Settings in which the intervention was studied

Tested in multiple settings

Demographics

Count age

Count Young Adults

Count Hard-to-employ

Count Disability

Count chronically ill

Count mentally ill

Count substance dependent

Count formerly incarcerated

Count Justice involved

Count limited work history

Count homeless

Count immigrants

Count refugees

Count veterans

Count female

Count Male

Count Any postsecondary education

Count With a high school diploma or GED

Count No high school diploma or GED

Count Married

Count Parents

Count Single Parents

Count Non-Custodial Parents

Count Employed

Count Self employed

Count Unemployed

Count Disconnected/discouraged workers

Count general low-income population

Count Very low income (as classified by the authors)

Count welfare population

Count long-term welfare recipients

Count Asian

Count Black or African American

Count Hispanic or Latino of any race

Count American Indian or Alaska Native

Count Pacific islander

Count White

Count More than one race

Count Unknown race

Percent Young Adults

100.00

Percent Disability

6.00

Percent Justice involved

28.00

Percent homeless

50.00

Percent female

45.00

Percent Male

55.00

Percent No high school diploma or GED

41.00

Percent With a high school diploma or GED

59.00

Percent Employed

16.00

Percent Disconnected/discouraged workers

100.00

Percent general low-income population

100.00

Percent Asian

0.30

Percent Black or African American

13.40

Percent Hispanic or Latino of any race

62.10

Percent Pacific islander

0.20

Percent Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

0.20

Percent White not Hispanic

15.50

Percent More than one race

2.10

Percent Unknown or not reported

5.70

Mean age

21.20

Study Characteristics

Group formation formatted

The study authors used a propensity score–matching method to construct the intervention and comparison groups. Intervention group participants were young adults, ages 18 to 24, enrolled in the @LIKE program between January 2013 and October 2014. To be eligible for the program, youth could not be in school, working, or serving in the armed forces, and they had to have low income, be gang involved, be an ex-offender, receive public assistance, or be a recently separated veteran. Using propensity score matching, study authors matched the 664 program participants to young adults receiving Workforce Investment Act (WIA)/Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services in the same counties at the same time as intervention group participants were enrolled in @LIKE. The propensity score matching was based on demographic characteristics, educational attainment, measures of socioeconomic status, employment, criminal justice involvement, and disability status.

Study timing formatted

Individuals were enrolled in the @LIKE program (intervention group) or WIA/WIOA programs (comparison group) between January 2013 and October 2014. Follow-up ended in March 2016.

Implementing organization formatted

Local workforce boards

Treatment condition formatted

The intervention group consisted of disconnected youth, ages 18 to 24, enrolled in the @LIKE program in Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties in southern California between January 2013 and October 2014. @LIKE program participants received individualized services, including soft-skills training; supportive services; work-readiness services; career exploration and work experience opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training; and education and training services. Services were provided by case managers and life coaches. Life coaches focused on personal issues and improving participants' confidence, and case managers coordinated service and administrative needs.

Comparison condition formatted

The comparison group consisted of youth ages 18 to 24 in Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties who participated in WIA or WIOA programs during the same time period as the intervention group received @LIKE services. Comparison group members had access to services that were similar to those provided by @LIKE, but they did not have a case manager or life coach, and services for comparison group members were less individualized and intensive.

Mandatory services formatted

None.

Timing of study formatted

The average participant spent 699 hours receiving services from the @LIKE program.

Setting details formatted

The @LIKE program impact study took place in Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial Counties in southern California.

Delivered by public or private entity?

Public

Citations/manuscripts

Earliest publication year

Most recent publication year

Manuscripts

25368

SRG File Path

http://projects.mathematica.net/humanservices/W2WC_50703/Reviews/Shared Documen…

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