NCJ Number
62939
Date Published
1979
Length
55 pages
Annotation
OPERATIONAL AND STATISTICAL ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL SUPPORTED WORK DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM DURING THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 1978 ARE PRESENTED; HIGHLY STRUCTURED TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT IS PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM OFFERS EMPLOYMENT TO FOUR GROUPS: EX-OFFENDERS, EX-ADDICTS IN TREATMENT, YOUNG SCHOOL DROPOUTS, AND WOMEN RECIPIENTS OF AFDC (AID TO FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN) WELFARE PAYMENTS. THE PROGRAM IS SPONSORED BY FIVE FEDERAL AGENCIES, LED BY THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THE FORD FOUNDATION'S DIVISION OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS. FIFTEEN PROGRAMS ARE NOW IN OPERATION NATIONALLY. MAJOR PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED DURING THE THIRD OPERATIONAL YEAR ARE FUNDING AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. SINCE THE PROGRAM'S INCEPTION IN 1975, 8,696 PARTICIPANTS HAVE BEEN ENROLLED. AS A RESULT OF CONSOLIDATION EFFORTS, THE NUMBER OF CURRENT EMPLOYEES FOR ALL SITES DECREASED DURING THE THIRD YEAR, AND SEVEN SITES REPORTED REDUCED ENROLLMENTS. EX-OFFENDERS CONTINUED TO REPRESENT THE LARGEST GROUP OF PARTICIPANTS, WITH A CUMULATIVE ENROLLMENT OF 3,385. THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE SUPPORTED WORK POPULATION, EXCEPT FOR THE INTENDED INCREASES IN AFDC AND YOUTHS, HAVE CONTINUED TO BE FAIRLY STABLE OVER THE 3-YEAR PERIOD. SERVICE INDUSTRIES WHO HIRE PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE HOTELS, CLERICAL SERVICES, AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS, AND CHILD CARE. SOME SITES PERFORM FREE PUBLIC SERVICES FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES, THUS PROVIDING A MORE CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT FOR THE SUPPORTED WORKER. SERVICE PROJECT REVENUE CONSTITUTES ONE SOURCE OF MONEY; OTHERS INCLUDE CETA (COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ACT) FUNDING, AND STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IN THE PROGRAM FOR AFDC RECIPENTS IS 9.7 MONTHS. EX-OFFENDERS REMAIN 5.4 MONTHS. THESE TWO GROUPS CONTINUE TO HAVE THE BEST PLACEMENT RECORDS IN FINDING PERMANENT JOBS AFTER WORK EXPOSURE THROUGH THE PROGRAM. GRAPHS AND TABULAR STATISTICAL DATA ARE INCLUDED IN THE SUMMARY. (LWM)