The sequence of required activities began with a two-week job search workshop. Next, participants completed three months of unpaid work experience (typically 20 to 30 hours per week) with concurrent job club sessions every other week, followed by assessments and referrals to outside education or training programs, if necessary. Part-time employment could substitute for some SWIM activities. People were placed in SWIM if they were applying for or receiving AFDC benefits from participating AFDC offices and met criteria for required participation. Participation was required if the applicant was a head of a two-parent household or a single head of household with children age 6 or older, unless the applicant was already employed at least 20 hours per week or was an undocumented parent of a U.S. citizen. SWIM was implemented in two AFDC offices in San Diego, CA.
SWIM was a program for recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), who were required to participate in a series of activities designed to help them find work.