Center for Employment Training (CET) Program

Intervention (standard name)

CET provided youth who are not in school with full-time basic education and skills training in a work-like setting to provide participants with hands-on training experience. The program worked with local employers to develop and teach a training curriculum and focused on improving the participants’ practical skills to meet the employment demands of the local labor market. Individualized job placement services were also provided to assist participants in securing jobs after the training program.

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.

Jobs-Plus Community Revitalization Initiative for Public Housing Families

Jobs-Plus had three core components. First, Jobs-Plus provided public housing residents with employment and training services to help them find paid employment quickly. These services included individual job search assistance such as employment counselors and job developers, help preparing for and attending job interviews, soft skills instruction, short-term basic education, and vocational skills training.

Second Chance Act (SCA) Adult Demonstration

Intervention (standard name)

The SCA Adult Demonstration Program provided a range of reentry services to adults who were recently incarcerated. Although the provision of services varied by location, all participants received individualized case management. Employment services were offered in all but one program location and included job-search and placement assistance; mentoring; and training that developed résumé writing, interviewing, and soft skills.

Jobs-First Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) Program

The Jobs-First GAIN program began with a six-hour motivational meeting followed by job clubs, which were classroom sessions focused on participants’ job application techniques and a supervised job search. Participants were encouraged to take any job offer received, including low-wage positions. Job clubs lasted three weeks, but further job development services were available until the recipient found work, exited the welfare system, or both. Jobs-First GAIN focused on AFDC recipients. The Jobs-First GAIN evaluation took place in Los Angeles County, CA.

Reach for Success

Intervention (standard name)

Reach for Success revolved around case managers who recruited participants for the intervention, connected them with services, and helped them navigate through life crises and job loss. Case managers contacted participants at least once a month and provided individualized counseling to help them navigate new job responsibilities or interpersonal issues (at work or at home) that presented a challenge to their continued employment. Case managers were given a reduced caseload of 40 to 85 cases compared with the typical 100 to 120 cases per case manager.

Enhanced Job Club (EJC)

Intervention (standard name)

EJC provided five weeks of classroom and job search workshops that aligned with participants’ occupational interests. During the first week, participants explored careers, identified their field of interest, developed career plans, and created resumes and master job applications. During the second week, participants refined their career development plans, practiced mock interviews, discussed previous job searches with EJC staff, and focused on specific job searches that aligned with their occupational interests.

California Work Pays Demonstration Project (CWPDP)

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.