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Portland Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program (JOBS)

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.

Welfare Restructuring Project (WRP) Incentives Only

WRP Incentives Only was one of the demonstration projects made possible by Section 1115 waivers to the rules in effect at the time for the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. These Section 1115 waivers allowed states to test new approaches to advance the objectives of the AFDC program.

Welfare Restructuring Project (WRP) (as compared to WRP Incentives Only)

The WRP was one of the demonstration projects made possible by Section 1115 waivers to the rules in effect at the time for the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. These Section 1115 waivers allowed states to test new approaches to advance the objectives of the AFDC program.

Work-Related Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (WCBT)

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.

Post-Assistance Self-Sufficiency (PASS) program

PASS service providers contacted former TANF participants and provided customized post-employment services and supportive services payments based on clients’ needs to help participants keep their jobs and obtain better jobs. PASS service providers included staff at three community-based organizations (CBOs), a community college, and a Department of Public Social Services office.

Ready, Willing and Able Pathways2Work (Pathways)

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.

Employing and Moving People Off Welfare and Encouraging Responsibility (EMPOWER)—Navajo Reservation

EMPOWER—Navajo Reservation 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.

Grand Rapids Labor Force Attachment (LFA) Program (as compared with Grand Rapids Human Capital Development [HCD] Program)

The Grand Rapids LFA program encouraged clients to move quickly into work without being selective about which job to take. Participants spent two weeks in a job club operated by public school staff, then began applying to jobs for up to three weeks. Participants who did not find a job during this period participated in unpaid work experiences, more job searching, vocational training, or basic education. Participants who completed the job club but remained unemployed could receive multiple rounds of short-term education or vocational training for periods of nine months.