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From August 2011 to April 2012, evaluators recruited adults with low incomes and low educational and basic skill levels from high-poverty areas for the study. After program staff determined eligibility, individuals completed the informed consent and baseline information forms. Program staff then randomly assigned individuals to either the intervention or comparison group with a 2:1 ratio. In total, 186 individuals were assigned to the intervention group, and 91 individuals were assigned to the comparison group.
Random assignment occurred from August 2011 to April 2012. The study examines impacts 18 months after random assignment, from March 2013 to June 2014.
The study was funded by federal funds from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration under contracts GS10F0086K/DOLF091A21626 and GSOOF252CA.
About two-thirds of study participants were male (68.2 percent). About half were White (56 percent), and about one-third were Black (35.8). Fifty-two percent of participants were age 40 or older. About 40 percent had a high school diploma or less (39.7 percent), and most were not working at random assignment (75.6 percent). One-quarter of participants had a felony conviction (25.4 percent), and two-thirds were receiving public benefits (66.4 percent).
Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), School of Workforce Development
The Pathways to Prosperity program was part of the larger Pathways Out of Poverty grant initiative, which funded 55 training programs in green occupations across the U.S. GRCC operated Pathways to Prosperity from January 2010 to July 2012.
GRCC's Pathways to Prosperity program served adults with low incomes and low educational and basic skill levels in high-poverty areas in Kent County, MI. The program targeted economically disadvantaged populations, specifically individuals who were unemployed, had dropped out of high school, or were formerly involved in the criminal justice system. Pathways to Prosperity focused on providing vocational training for jobs in green industries, including an eight-week Career Prep class and occupational training programs. In addition to training courses and certificates, the program offered academic and personal advising, financial support, supportive services, and employment assistance to adults in the intervention group. GRCC staff provided advising and employment assistance, along with assistance finding necessary support services such as transportation and childcare. Staff provided transportation assistance through gas cards and bus passes, as well as other types of assistance for items like work uniforms or tools on an as-needed basis. Participants attended 3.3 months of training, on average, and the most commonly attended activity was the Career Prep class.
Individuals in the comparison group could not access services offered by Pathways to Prosperity but could access other services offered in the community.
None
The average length of time that participants received services through the program was 3.3 months.
GRCC received the U.S. Department of Labor's Pathways Out of Poverty grant to implement its Pathways to Prosperity program.
The Pathways to Prosperity program took place in GRCC in Grand Rapids, MI.
Participation in education/training; receipt of supports such as advising, financial assistance, and life skills preparation; factors that affect ability to work; job characteristics; financial circumstances