Next Generation of Enhanced Employment Strategies Project

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To further build the evidence around effective strategies for helping individuals with low incomes find and sustain employment, OPRE contracted with Mathematica to conduct the Next Generation of Enhanced Employment Strategies (NextGen) Project. This project will identify and test innovative, promising employment interventions designed to help individuals facing complex challenges secure a pathway toward economic independence. These challenges may be physical and mental health conditions, substance misuse, a criminal history, or limited work skills and experience.

Young Parent Demonstration (YPD) Plus Mentoring as compared with YPD

Enhanced services for the YPD Plus Mentoring participants varied across sites but often included several hours of one-on-one mentoring services, individualized mentee support, or group workshops, in addition to YPD services. The duration of services varied by site. One site offered 2 to 12 weeks of work readiness classes followed by employment assistance, while another offered a 15-month weekly peer group workshops focusing on educational attainment, technological skills development, workforce readiness, and career exploration.

English for Advancement (EfA)

Intervention (standard name)

EfA provided vocational English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), including lessons focused on answering job interview questions, communicating in the workplace, and finding a job. EfA participants attended classes for 2 to 12 months, depending on their skill and education level. About 24 months after the program’s start, evaluators followed up with participants to assess participants’ employment and earnings.