The program provided information about and simplified access to financial work supports, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and child care subsidies. Retention and advancement services included career coaching and access to training and education to stabilize participants’ employment and help them find better-paying jobs. The program helped participants secure funding for training and education costs through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and other training funds. Participants received financial incentives of up to $2,250 for maintaining employment and participating in trainings. Participants received an additional stipend to cover child care co-payments (up to $1,560), and those who were employed an in training received gas cards (up to $1,920). Participants received services for two years.
The program focused on individuals workers with low wages and reemployed dislocated workers who had limited prior connection to government assistance programs and were therefore considered most in need of assistance with work supports. A maximum of 50 percent of participants in each site could be Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants, and individuals receiving receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) were ineligible. The WASC Demonstration with Incentive Payments was implemented in Dayton, OH, as the Move Up/Career Advancement Unit. The WASC Demonstration that tested the WASC Demonstration with Incentive Payments also tested a version of the WASC Demonstration without incentives in Bridgeport, CT and San Diego, CA.
The WASC Demonstration with Incentive Payments delivered integrated, intensive retention and advancement services with participation incentives workers with low wages and reemployed dislocated workers to fill gaps in services available to them and help them advance and increase their incomes.