Opportunity Works

Intervention (standard name)

Services delivered via Opportunity Works varied by program site over an unspecified duration. Services could include case management, college-readiness instruction and coaching, goal setting, support with high school completion, career planning and exploration, job development and support, financial planning support, occupational skills training, and transportation assistance. Eligibility requirements varied by age and gender across program sites, but all Opportunity Works participants were between the ages of 18 and 24.

Maximum Customer Choice (as compared with Structured Customer Choice)

Maximum Customer Choice participants could request counseling from program staff to guide them to appropriate training selections, but they did not automatically receive counseling. Participants received an individual training account in the amount of $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the program site. Most Maximum Customer Choice participants requested counseling and completed counseling and training program selection in five sessions. Then, participants engaged in their selected training program for an average of 18 weeks.

Guided Customer Choice (as compared with Structured Customer Choice)

Guided Customer Choice was designed to broadly represent the approach that most local areas were implementing on their own under WIA. Participants in Guided Customer Choice had to complete six mandatory counseling activities to select a training program and then had to assess whether they had enough resources to complete the training. Counselors were directed to help customers make an informed decision about training. However, counselors did not direct participants toward particular occupations, and participants could independently select their training program.

Guided Customer Choice (as compared with Maximum Customer Choice)

Guided Customer Choice was designed to broadly represent the approach that most local areas were implementing on their own under WIA. Participants in Guided Customer Choice had to complete six mandatory counseling activities to help them select a training program and then had to assess whether they had enough resources to complete the training. Counselors were directed to help customers make an informed decision about training. However, counselors did not direct participants toward particular occupations, and participants could independently select their training program.