Study Details | Pathways to Work

26724-Study of Chrysalis S

Study quality: Low

Low

Reason for the rating: This study received a low study quality rating because it is a quasi-experimental design that does not demonstrate that the intervention and comparison groups were sufficiently similar before the intervention.

Intervention: Chrysalis Social Enterprise Program

Services provided:

Job readiness, Job search assistance, Paid work experience/internships, Tuition assistance/financial aid

Setting: Urban only

Study design

Design:

Quasi-experimental design

Study group formation:

After participating in initial employment services, individuals with significant barriers to employment entered a pool from which Chrysalis's management selected participants to work in the Chrysalis social enterprises. The individuals who were selected to participate in the social enterprise were included in the intervention group. The individuals who entered the pool but never participated in Chrysalis social enterprises services formed the comparison group.

Time period of study:

April 2012 to March 2013

Pathways only reports results from studies with a study quality rating of high or moderate.

Sample characteristics

Age

Mean age

44 years

Participant employment and public benefit status

Were unemployed	25%
Had low incomes	100%

Participant education

Had a high school diploma or GED	73%
Did not have a high school diploma or GED	27%

Specific employment barriers

Were involved with the justice system

71%

Intervention implementation

Implementing organization:

Chrysalis

Intervention services:

Individuals in the intervention condition were hired in Chrysalis's social enterprise programs in Los Angeles and received experience working in one of Chrysalis's social enterprises related to staffing or street cleaning, as well as job search and assistance. While working in the social enterprise, individuals in the intervention group also participated in career seminars and support groups.

Mandatory services:

None

Comparison services:

Individuals in the comparison condition were not hired to work in the Chrysalis social enterprise. These individuals could receive the same initial services, intake, and job search support as those in the intervention condition but did not work in the social enterprise and did not receive additional services such as support groups and career seminars.

Study publications

Rotz, Dana, Nan Maxwell, and Adam Dunn (2015). Economic Self-Sufficiency and Life Stability One Year after Starting a Social Enterprise Job. Oakland: Mathematica Policy Research. Available at https://www.mathematica.org/our-publications-and-findings/publications/economic-selfsufficiency-and-life-stability-one-year-after-starting-a-social-enterprise-job

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Study of Chrysalis Social Enterprise Program