STEP participants received home visits from community liaisons to identify and mitigate any barriers that might prevent participants from traveling to the program offices. In the program offices, participants were assigned a case coordinator, who conducted assessments to determine barriers to employment. Case coordinators worked with no more than 20 participants at a time. The case coordinator and specialized vocational rehabilitation staff developed a plan to address the barriers, and participants began activities tailored to overcoming their barriers.

At the time this evaluation occurred, two Transitional Subsidized Employment programs were active in Los Angeles County: OJT and a paid work experience (PWE) program. OJT placed participants in a partially subsidized, six-month position at a for-profit, private-sector organization, where they were paid $8 an hour by the local Workforce Investment Board (WIB) for the first two months.

B2W provided participants with 35 hours per week of mandatory, in-person services that included group and individual job search classes, case management, job development and job search support, job interview support, and soft-skills training. B2W also provided supportive services that included transportation and work clothes. Participants typically received services for 6 to 8 weeks, and job search support activities were limited to 12 weeks. After attaining employment, participants were

The Grameen America program provided microfinance loans, financial literacy training, and networking opportunities to women with low incomes. Groups of five self-employed women, who knew each other and lived near one another, applied and were selected for services together. Each woman received services individually to support her unique enterprises. The Grameen America Program was administered in Union City, NJ, and served participants in the surrounding areas in northern New Jersey.

Individuals receiving housing assistance interested in the FSS program attended an orientation, signed a contract of participation, and completed an individualized plan at enrollment. FSS program participants worked with case managers to set goals related to self-sufficiency to include in their plan. Case managers also provided referrals to services, such as education and training opportunities and low-cost child care. Most sites expected case managers to contact participants on a quarterly basis, although some sites ranged from monthly to annual contact.

In addition to MFIP employment services, MSTED participants received job-readiness assessments, one-on-one training to support job readiness, and assistance finding subsidized employment. Subsidized employment under the MSTED model took two forms. The first form, which aimed to improve participant workplace skills, was a paid work experience at a public agency or nonprofit organization for up to 24 hours per week for up to 8 weeks. Participants earned a fully subsidized wage of $9 per hour under this option.

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.

GRCC’s Pathways to Prosperity program served adults with low incomes and low educational and basic skill levels in high-poverty areas in Kent County, MI. The program focused on providing services to individuals who were unemployed, had not completed high school, or had been formerly incarcerated. Pathways to Prosperity offered an eight-week course known as Career Prep, occupational training programs that resulted in a GRCC certificate, basic skills courses, and adult basic education and GED courses. Through the Career Prep course, participants earned the Michigan Employability Certificate.