PROGRESS assigned participants to a team of one case manager and one career development specialist. Case managers checked in with participants monthly and helped them obtain access to health care through Medicaid and assistance with child care and transportation. They also helped participants with housing, substance abuse, or other personal issues by providing counseling and connecting them to community resources. The career development specialist helped participants develop a career development plan alongside the case manager in an initial meeting and provided career counseling based on participants’ individual needs and interests. Participants then worked with the specialist to identify and obtain the necessary training and education services to meet their career goals. The PROGRESS management team also helped connect participants with job search assistance if they lost their jobs. PROGRESS participants could receive services for up to one year after volunteering for the intervention. PROGRESS served employed individuals who were no longer eligible for TANF and working at least 20 hours per week in Eugene, OR. PROGRESS was evaluated as part of the Employment Retention and Advancement Evaluation.
PROGRESS aimed to help recent Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients maintain their employment and advance in their careers through intensive team-based case management designed to help them successfully navigate the challenges of employment and access education, training, and supportive services.