Although some participants were first referred to short-term training and education programs, most were initially assigned to a job club for 30 hours a week, followed by a job search during which they were required to contact 20 employers a week. Participants also had access to a job developer, life skills and vocational training, secondary and postsecondary education, and supportive services such as child care and transportation. Case managers intensively monitored participants’ activities and could sanction them by reducing their benefits.

WCBT was delivered in two-hour group sessions, held twice weekly. Each group had two to seven participants. Sessions focused on psychoeducational topics related to work, cognitive restructuring, social skills education, and navigating work with a social anxiety disorder. Vocational services employees who had been trained in cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders led the sessions, with two leaders per session. WCBT participants were eligible to receive 16 hours of WCBT over the course of four weeks.

Pathways began with orientation activities, which included assessments of occupational skills and career interests. Participants then worked three days per week and spent the other weekdays participating in nonwork activities provided by Pathways, such as job-readiness training, career-development workshops, and case management. Participants first worked in transitional jobs with street-cleaning crews or in the kitchen of the implementing organization, the Doe Fund. Next, they worked at a subsidized internship with a partner employer.