Program Description

Program/Practice Description: Near the end of 2006, Project EARN became one of four WASC site demonstrations being conducted by MDRC. The WASC demonstration creates dedicated units of staff within the workforce system to assist low–wage and reemployed dislocated workers by increasing work advancement opportunities and work retention rates. The demonstration also aims to connect low–wage workers with publicly funded work supports while they work toward career advancement. The program recruits employers with a large population of employees earning less than $11.00 an hour, and provides customized training to employees to increase work retention. Under the MRDC study requirements, Project EARN is a randomized selection study. Only half of those chosen for the study receive services; the other half serves as the control group. First and foremost, this was a research project. The study has ended and to learn more about the findings of MDRC, here is a link: http://www.mdrc.org/publications/590/overview.html

Innovations and Results: As part of the WASC demonstration, Project EARN tests an innovative approach to increasing work retention and promoting career advancement. Services available to low–wage workers combine career counseling and career advancement training with a simplified process for accessing publicly funded work supports. The program bridges the traditional gap between employment services and work support services for low–wage earners, such as child care subsidies, Earned Income Tax Credit, Food Stamps, and health insurance. The WASC primary goal is to increase the income of low–wage workers through career advancement and pay increases. The secondary and tertiary goals, respectively, are to raise worker income through a combination of wage advancement and work supports or by the sole use of work supports. The project is a random assignment study that will allow MDRC to compare outcomes (e.g., income progression, household income) for study participants receiving services and those not receiving services.

Operations: Project EARN is the only location in the WASC study to be employer–based. Project staff identify employers with a workforce that fits the program criteria and work directly with the employer and incumbent workers; therefore, staff are not located in the One–Stop system as with other sites. Current operating sites in Fort Worth are LifeCare Acute Care Hospital, Sheraton DFW South, Doskocil Manufacturing Company, and Gaylord Texan. In Fort Worth, low–wage workers are primarily immigrant populations. Employers are recruited based on previous relationships with the Workforce Board, number of employees earning low wages (defined as less than $11.00 per hour), and willingness to participate in the study. Project EARN uses the benefits of a stable workforce (increased employee retention) and increased productivity through a better trained workforce to drive interest in the program. Incumbent workers are recruited into the program through onsite marketing and outreach by Project EARN case managers. After they apply, the random assignment is completed by MDRC and Project EARN is notified of participant status. Those randomly selected for participation receive job site specific career advancement training, career counseling with a case manager, and screening for work supports. For example, in Texas, limited English language skills are often a barrier to low–wage earner advancement, so customized training has included job–specific English language skills.