SUPPORTED WORK DEMONSTRATION - EFFECTS DURING THE FIRST 18 MONTHS AFTER ENROLLMENT

• NCJ Number: 59202
• Author(s): R MAYNARD; R BROWN; J SCHORE; R JACKSON; V LEACH; J WOOLDRIDGELEACH V
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 246 pages
• Grant Number(s): 33-36-75-01
• Contract Number(s): 30-36-75-01; 30-34-75-02
• Sponsoring Agency: Ford Foundation; US Dept of Labor; Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC)
• Corporate Author: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

INTERIM FINDINGS ON THE IMPACT OF THE NATIONAL SUPPORTED WORK DEMONSTRATION ON PARTICIPATING AFDC RECIPIENTS, EX-ADDICTS, EX-OFFENDERS, AND DROPOUTS ARE REPORTED.

Abstract

BY PROVIDING 12 TO 18 MONTHS OF CLOSELY SUPERVISED EMPLOYMENT AND STABLE INCOME, THE PROGRAM ATTEMPTS TO HELP CHRONICALLY UNEMPLOYED PERSONS ENTER THE REGULAR LABOR FORCE. A SECONDARY PURPOSE IS TO REDUCE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND DRUG USE. FINDINGS FROM INTERVIEWS WITH A SAMPLE OF 2,830 PARTICIPANTS AT SELECTED SITES (ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL DEMONSTRATION POPULATION) SHOW THAT PARTICIPANTS WITH SUPPORTED-WORK JOBS IMPROVED OVER PARTICIPANTS WHO SERVED AS CONTROLS. DURING THE PERIOD OF SUPPORTED WORK, EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC STATUS IMPROVED IN ALL FOUR TARGET GROUPS, PARTICULARLY AMONG WELFARE RECIPIENTS. CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES WERE REDUCED AMONG EX-ADDICTS, BUT NOT AMONG EX-OFFENDERS AND DROPOUTS. DRUG USE WAS UNAFFECTED. HOWEVER, IN THE 2-MONTH POST PROGRAM PERIOD, THE DECLINE IN EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC STATUS WAS GREATER THAN HAD BEEN EXPECTED FOR ALL TARGET GROUPS EXCEPT WELFARE RECIPIENTS. THIS INTERIM REPORT INCLUDES A SUMMARY, DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY SAMPLE, DETAILED FINDINGS FOR EACH TARGET GROUP, AND CONCLUSIONS, WITH SUPPORTING DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES, THE FINAL REPORT ON THE PROGRAM WILL ENCOMPASS ALL SITES AND WILL TRACK THE EXPERIENCES OF SELECTED PARTICIPANTS FOR A 27 TO 36-MONTH PERIOD.