Doing More of What Works to Improve Economic Self- Sufficiency By LaDonna Pavetti Vice President for Family Income Support

Issues Unique to Public Benefit Work Programs Diversity of recipients: Individual circumstances and needs vary widely – some need minimal help to get back into the labor force; others face significant barriers to employment Mandatory participation: Participation is often required in order to continue to receive benefits – higher stakes for program failure Benefit access issues: How to encourage states to provide work opportunities while maintaining a strong safety net? Funding/service delivery considerations: Who’s paying for employment and training services – the federal government, the state, nonprofits, foundations? Who’s providing the services?

Effective Program Strategies – evidence supports moving beyond “work first” “Mixed” models (job search plus other options) Subsidized and transitional employment programs Skills training (Career Pathways and short-term “sectoral” employment programs) Contextualized Learning or GED (“Bridge”) programs Case management Life skills Provision of supportive services (primarily child care)

Common Characteristics Across Different Types of Effective Programs Focus on goal-setting and individual choice Upfront investments and individual sacrifices (including less initial employment) to reap gains later Keen attention to current life circumstances Individualized and ongoing support Greater financial investments in people

Assessment: Critical, but results often not used for making key decisions Assessments are important: (1) identify immediate needs that need to be addressed (2) is an exemption warranted? (3) identify the best path forward No generally accepted standard for how to do assessments well Most important issue is that assessment results are used to make decisions

Addressing Nonparticipation: Compliance-oriented approach Nonparticipation is a substantial problem in work programs for public benefit recipients – Many individuals who do not comply face significant employment barriers such as mental health issues – Recipients may not participate because the programs provide so little help – they don’t expect to be any better off after participating than before; just putting in time Processes for assessing circumstances and encouraging compliance are important – Children should not be penalized for the failures of their parents – Compliance should trigger reinstatement of benefits

Benefit Access Issues Applicant job search requirements: eligibility contingent on participating in work activities – Applies primarily to TANF, but interest in applying to other programs – Requirements that seem relatively minor can create significant benefit access issues Sanctions with minimum durations: create disincentives for individuals to come into compliance; has led to loss of benefits for many families in TANF