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The study focused on employed people who were leaving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and who had completed an "I Have a Job" form (required of newly employed TANF applicants and those exiting TANF working at least 20 hours per week). Evaluators randomly assigned clients without first contacting them or confirming their interest in participating in the study. Assignment occurred from June 2002 to June 2004. This study includes 1,137 research sample members who were single parents. (Another study examines effects for two-parent families.) The evaluators administered a 12-month survey to all 550 single parents that (1) were randomly assigned between October 2002 and October 2003, (2) spoke English or Spanish, and (3) were at least 18 years of age.
Random assignment occurred between June 2002 and June 2004, and participants were followed for three years.
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 individuals in the sample were employed single parents. At baseline, sample members were mostly White (85 percent) and female (92 percent), with an average age of 30. About 80 percent had at least a high school diploma or equivalent certification. Slightly more than half (57 percent) were recipients of cash assistance at baseline, and about one-third (33 percent) were cash assistance applicants.
Oregon TANF and Lane Community College
The program operated from February 2002 to July 2005.
The Progress Towards Retention, Opportunities, Growth, Enhancement, and Self-Sufficiency (PROGRESS) program aimed to provide employed, former TANF recipients with services to support continued employment and career progress. A case manager (from the Oregon Department of Human Services) and a career development specialist (from Lane Community College) worked with each client. The team created a career development plan, including a needs assessment, career goals, and action steps, and documented any need for vocational assessments. Subsequent meeting topics depended on participant needs but included coaching, job retention services, job search assistance, education and training referrals, and counseling and advice on topics such as budgeting and conflict resolution. Case managers also worked with clients to obtain additional benefits, such as Medicaid coverage, child care, and transportation assistance.
People in the comparison group had access to employment-related services in the community. They could access the same employment, training, and supportive services as individuals in the PROGRESS program but did not receive support in finding or enrolling in these services.
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Program services were available for one year.
Oregon TANF program (primary); Department of Labor.
This study took place in Eugene, OR. Services were provided at Oregon Department of Human Services branch offices.
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