The SCCHA increased tenant contribution rates for families receiving Housing Choice Vouchers from about 27 percent to 35 percent (and later reduced this rate to 32 percent). The policy also eliminated all allowances and deductions (such as child care or medical expenses) and reduced the number of bedrooms on a household’s voucher for some families.

The Clean Slate Clinic provided services to people with criminal records to help them remove some or all items listed in their criminal records that job applicants are required to disclose as part of their employment applications. A lawyer obtained the client’s records of arrests and prosecutions (known as a rap sheet), reviewed the records to identify arrests and convictions that might be eligible to be cleared from the client’s criminal history, and then submitted a petition on behalf of the client for all eligible items.

The CSPED provided noncustodial parents with case management, employment services, enhanced child support services, parenting classes, and domestic violence services. Each participant was assigned a case manager to assess needs and monitor progress. Employment services included job search assistance; job-readiness training; and assistance with job placement, job retention, and rapid reemployment following job loss. Participating sites were also encouraged, though not required, to provide job skills training, vocational training, education related to employment, and supportive services.

PSI participants attended a job-readiness course, called Learning Expectations and Developing Employment Readiness Skills (LEADERS), course for two weeks. In addition to providing information about the program services and its expectations, LEADERS included conflict resolution, work readiness, mock interviews, and help preparing resumes. LEADERS was intended to prepare participants for the National Work Readiness assessment, which they took at the end of the course to be placed on a work crew.

SFTW started with a three- to five-day job-readiness workshop, during which participants took assessments and engaged in job-readiness activities. Participants were then assigned a case manager, who helped participants become more job ready; develop soft skills; and address barriers to work, such as a lack of clothing, transportation, or housing. Case managers also served as job coaches and helped match participants to transitional jobs based on their skills and interests, mostly with private-sector employers.

TJRD participants were provided with 30 to 40 hours of transitional, subsidized employment; job search assistance; and other supports, including job coaching and classes before employment. Case managers acted as the primary point of contact for participants and helped participants access support for transportation, housing, and clothing, as well as referrals to training programs and substance abuse or mental health treatment.