Structured Customer Choice participants received intensive, mandatory weekly counseling from program staff, in which the counselors directed participants to training programs with high returns on investment (that is, programs anticipated to lead to high earnings gains over participants’ lifetimes relative to the training cost). Participants selected the training program in which they wished to participate, but counselors could deny participants’ selections. Participants also received an ITA of up to $8,000 to cover the cost of training.

PFS 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.

Participants met with a public health nurse when they started the program to receive a comprehensive health assessment. The nurse also acted as a case manager to support and coordinate access to care, as well as to help participants manage and prevent diseases through primary care or referrals and health education. Participants were also given the opportunity to attend a two-hour information session about Medicaid. The program lasted nine months, and participants checked in with the nurse after three, six, and nine months.