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To apply for the STEP-UP Achieve program, youth had to be ages 16 to 21, living in the city of Minneapolis, not enrolled in college, and able to demonstrate low income or other employment barriers such as special education services, homelessness, or foster care placement. All individuals who applied and met basic eligibility criteria were invited to enroll in the STEP-UP Achieve program. This study used propensity score matching to match individuals who enrolled in and completed the STEP-UP Achieve program with similar individuals who did not participate in the STEP-UP Achieve program. Matches were identified based on socioeconomic status, ethnicity, primary language, gender, grade level, and special education status. Minneapolis Public Schools provided student data for matching. There was no overlap between the STEP-UP Achieve participants and members of the matched group.
The intervention took place from May to August 2016. STEP-UP Achieve program participants began their internships in May or June and completed them in August. Exact dates varied by employer. The study looked at outcomes through the end of school year 2017.
The Social Innovation Fund via the Greater Twin Cities United Way in partnership with Generation Next.
The study sample consisted mostly of Black youth enrolled in Minneapolis public schools who were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. About one-fifth of youth studied received special education services, and more than half spoke a language other than English at home.
City of Minneapolis, AchieveMpls, Department of Employment and Economic Development, and Project for Pride in Living
The STEP-UP Achieve program existed before this study, although the study did not specify for how long.
The STEP-UP Achieve program is a partnership between the City of Minneapolis, the Department of Employment and Economic Development, and two local nonprofits designed to provide paid employment opportunities for youth ages 16 to 21 who have low incomes, come from immigrant families, or have disabilities. Youth in the intervention condition were enrolled in and completed the STEP-UP Achieve program in summer 2016. Youth enrolled in the STEP-UP Achieve program received paid internship placement opportunities at local businesses, nonprofit agencies, and public organizations. Supervisors at each placement site received an orientation and training that encouraged supervisors to support youth through employment coaching, focusing on goal-setting and regular feedback. Youth also received training on career readiness, targeted skill development in topics like Excel and Outlook, personal finance training, and specialized enrichment activities for youth with an interest in a particular field such as health care or financial services careers. Youth had the opportunity to earn professional credentials in information technology and Excel following their specialized training.
Individuals in the comparison condition did not participate in the STEP-UP Achieve program.
None
The STEP-UP Achieve program offered job placements during the academic year and the calendar year. This evaluation looked at outcomes for individuals who received a three-to-four-month summer job placement.
City of Minneapolis, AchieveMpls, Department of Employment and Economic Development, and Project for Pride in Living. Employer partners paid intern salaries. AchieveMpls received some supplemental foundation funding as well.
This study took place in Minneapolis, MN, with placements at local nonprofits, businesses, and public agencies.