CWPDP was one of the demonstration projects made possible by Section 1115 waivers to the rules in effect at the time for the AFDC program. These Section 1115 waivers allowed states to test new approaches to advance the objectives of the AFDC program. CWPDP introduced four changes to AFDC. First, the maximum aid payment was reduced by 8.3 percent through gradual reductions from October 1, 1992, to September 1, 1993. Second, two-parent families in which one parent was unemployed could remain eligible for AFDC even if one parent worked more than 100 hours per week.

HPOG aimed to prepare participants for careers in health care occupations that paid well and were expected to experience labor shortages or increased demand. HPOG 1.0—Facilitated Peer Support grantees provided standard HPOG services and, to a subset of participants, the option to participate in a peer support group facilitated by a professional familiar with adult learning theory and the HPOG program. The peer support meetings were an opportunity to discuss available HPOG and community resources and challenges that participants might face in HPOG.

HPOG aimed to prepare participants for careers in health care occupations that paid well and were expected to experience labor shortages or increased demand. HPOG 1.0—Noncash Incentives grantees provided standard HPOG services and, to a subset of participants, the option to receive noncash incentives worth up to $1,000 per person. These participants were able to earn points for achieving program milestones, such as completing key courses or obtaining or retaining employment.

HPOG aimed to prepare participants for careers in health care occupations that paid well and were expected to experience labor shortages or increased demand. HPOG 1.0 Emergency Assistance grantees provided standard HPOG services and, to a subset of participants, the option to receive emergency assistance to cover unexpected expenses. These expenses could include car repair, child care, eviction prevention, and utility payments.

HPOG aimed to prepare participants for careers in health care occupations that paid well and were expected to experience labor shortages or increased demand.

LARCA provided participating youth with case managers who worked with the youth to develop and monitor individualized plans identifying services that could improve youth’s life skills and work-readiness.

FAST provided extra services to participants who qualified for FSS. FAST integrated the IPS supported employment model into the FSS program to provide participants with individualized job search assistance, job development services, and related supports based on their preferences and abilities. FAST also integrated motivational interviewing and a vocational assessment into the FSS program alongside IPS. To better support FAST participants, the caseload of FAST case managers was reduced to 50 active cases from an average of 75 to 100.

Paycheck Plus: Employment Referral Services consisted of two main features. First, like the Paycheck Plus intervention described elsewhere on this site, it allowed eligible individuals to receive up to $2,000 in income-based tax credits, including the federal EITC and the supplemental credit from the Paycheck Plus program. In the 2017 tax year, a single adult worker would lose eligibility for the federal EITC after his or her earnings reached about $15,000, and the maximum credit was $510.

Paycheck Plus allowed eligible individuals to receive up to $2,000 in income-based tax credits, including the federal EITC and the supplemental credit from the Paycheck Plus program. In the 2017 tax year, a single adult worker would lose eligibility for the federal EITC after his or her earnings reached about $15,000, and the maximum credit was $510. Paycheck Plus increased the maximum credit for single adults to $2,000 and expanded eligibility so that individuals earning up to $30,000 qualified for some credit.

Next STEP participants received 2 weeks of work-readiness training and then worked with a job developer to search for a private job with subsidized wages. The subsidized job lasted for 16 weeks, with a full subsidy for 8 weeks and a half subsidy for the subsequent 8 weeks. All employers agreed to retain participants if they did well, and hired participants were invited to quarterly job retention meetings. In addition to subsidized employment, participants had access to case management, mental health services, financial incentives, and legal assistance.