Earnings

Earnings

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe had the largest effects on long-term annual earnings (an average of $2,991 per year). The ChalleNGe Program aimed to improve the lives of youth who were out of school and under- or unemployed by providing education, positive youth development, and mentorship.

Employment

Employment

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe had the largest effects on long-term employment (an average of 6 percentage points). The ChalleNGe Program aimed to improve the lives of youth who were out of school and under- or unemployed by providing education, positive youth development, and mentorship.

Public benefit receipt

Public benefit receipt

Los Angeles Reconnections Career Academy (LARCA) Program had the largest effects on long-term benefit receipt (decreasing the amount of public benefits received by $28 per year). To facilitate educational advancement and employment, the LARCA program provided case management, education, training, employment services, and supportive services to youth with low incomes who were at risk of dropping out or who had already dropped out of high school.

Effects on long-term benefit receipt

$28

Decrease long-term benefit receipt

Education and training

Education and training

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe had the largest effects on education and training (increasing the attainment of a degree or credential by an average of 11 percentage points). The ChalleNGe Program aimed to improve the lives of youth who were out of school and under- or unemployed by providing education, positive youth development, and mentorship.

Prison-Based Adult Basic Education (ABE)

Intervention (standard name)

ABE provided participants with basic education services. For participants who were reading below a ninth-grade level at program entry, the services focused on elevating their reading skills. If a participant was already at or achieved a ninth-grade reading level during the program, they attended adult secondary education classes focused on preparation for GED exams. Participants also took literacy and cognitive life skills classes. A participant could enroll in one or more ABE classes, which varied in duration.

JOBSTART

Intervention (standard name)

Thirteen JOBSTART sites provided youth with instruction in basic academic skills, occupational skills training, supportive services, and job search assistance. Basic academic skills instruction was individualized and commonly focused on developing skills needed to pass a GED examination. Occupational skills training was classroom based. Youth could choose from various occupational skills courses that generally prepared participants for jobs requiring moderate or higher skills.

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program (ChalleNGe)

Intervention (standard name)

The ChalleNGe program consisted of three phases. In Phase 1, participants attended a two-week, intensive orientation and assessment. Following this orientation, participants were formally enrolled in the program and considered cadets. The cadets then began Phase 2, which consisted of a 20-week education program focused on preparation for the GED exam and positive youth development. Phases 1 and 2 required the cadets to live on-site and experience a quasi-military environment. During Phase 3, the cadets participated in a nonresidential structured mentoring program for a year.

Bridges to Pathways (Bridges)

Intervention (standard name)

The Bridges program offered a multi-phase program focused on four main service areas: academic enrichment, socio-emotional learning (SEL), workforce readiness training, and mentorship and case management services. Participants began the program by attending a group orientation session and taking the Test of Adult Basic Education and an online financial training. Following the financial training, participants began the first of three phases of Bridges services.