The Center for Law & Social Policy (CLASP) features different resources aimed at improving services to low-income youth and adults under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). In addition, they highlight promising state and local strategies and models that align WIOA's goals and help create pathways to postsecondary and economic success for low-skilled workers, youth, and adults.

This presentation describes a study using system dynamics modeling to determine if there is a cliff effect -- the income gap low-wage workers experience when their income exceeds eligibility limits for benefits and the loss of work supports totals more than earned income -- in Franklin County, Ohio and across the state of Ohio.

This presentation was given at the 2014 National Association of Welfare Research and Statistics (NAWRS) Annual Workshop.

Published by MDRC, this report highlights the early results on how program providers in New York City, Tulsa, and Cleveland implemented the WorkAdvance framework into a workable program. The WorkAdvance program encompasses sectoral as well as job retention and career advancement strategies. This report offers lessons learned to assist organizations seeking to implement a similar sector-focused career advancement program.

Jobs-Plus is an evidence-based model used to help individuals that live in public housing find work. Published by MDRC, this guide assists users in implementing Jobs-Plus programming. In addition, it serves as a resource for practitioners to learn from others around the world who have had experience with the program.

Beginning with an overview of the measures and state of economic mobility in America, this session, moderated by Sarah Sattelmeyer (The Pew Charitable Trusts), will address three key questions related to mobility, specifically: Do all Americans enjoy equal opportunity at birth, regardless of the financial and economic status of their parents? What factors help propel someone up the economic ladder or push them down? What role should public policy play in promoting economic mobility?

• Mobility and the Metropolis: How Communities Factor into Economic Mobility

Diana Elliott (The Pew Charitable Trusts)

• Hard Choices: Navigating the Economic Shock of Unemployment

Hannah Thomas (Brandeis University)

• Why Do Some Americans Leave the Bottom of the Economic Ladder, But Not Others?

Denise Wilson (Independent Contractor) (conference program description)

These presentations were given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).

Studies show that low-income families are more likely to be unbanked and “underbanked” than families with higher earnings. Lacking a bank account or depending on alternative financial services leads to significant financial barriers for low-income families that hinder economic growth and social mobility. This session will evaluate strategies that local and state human services agencies are testing to equip TANF recipients with the financial knowledge and resources they need to overcome barriers to financial security, including ACF’s Asset Initiative Partnership. Gretchen Lehman (Administration for Children and Families) will moderate this session.

• Financial Counseling and Financial Access for the Financially Vulnerable

Kasey Wiedrich (Corporation for Enterprise Development)

The presentation examines financial management strategies among low-income families.  Two research studies are described: Children's HealthWatch and Witnesses to Hunger.

• Building Economic Self-Sufficiency of TANF Clients Through Financial Education and Matched Savings

Kate Griffin (Corporation for Enterprise Development)

The presentation describes data from a financial education program for TANF recipients that provides training in budgeting and credit management.  The pilot was started in July 2013 with the Utah Department of Workforce Services.

• Financial Management Strategies of TANF and SNAP Recipients: Lessons for Policy Makers and Administrators

Mariana Chilton (Drexel University)

The presentation describes a completed research project that looks at the impact of the AFCO financial counseling program for families leaving TANF and entering into a work-ready context.

These presentations were given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).

This session will explore the emerging research on an expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for single adults. The EITC, a refundable tax credit for low- to moderate-income working individuals and couples, is an effective way to make work pay for low-wage workers. However, many childless adults are ineligible for benefits. This session will explore emerging evidence on how expanding the EITC may improve self-sufficiency for low-income, single adults, including non-custodial parents. Carson Hicks (New York City Center for Economic Opportunity) will moderate this session, and Vicki Turetsky (Administration for Children and Families) will serve as a discussant.

• Paycheck Plus: Testing an Expanded EITC for Single Adults in New York City

Cynthia Miller (MDRC)

• Effects of an Expanded EITC on Labor Market Participation for Black and Latino Young Men

Ronald Mincy (Columbia University)

• Strengthening Families with Non-Custodial Parents: Effects of an Expanded EITC on Child Support

Elaine Sorensen (Administration for Children and Families) (conference program description)

These presentations were given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).

Strong skills are critical for success in the labor market and overall self-sufficiency. Yet, many low-income Americans lack the skills needed to obtain employment in the U.S. labor market. Moreover, as the skills needed for today’s jobs change, it is especially important to consider opportunities to promote skill-building among low-income individuals. This panel discussion, moderated by Paige Shevlin (Executive Office of the President), will aim to answer the question of how to increase skills for low-income Americans and move them into better jobs. Beginning with findings from the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development’s Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies Survey of Adult Skills, the panelists will discuss the implications of these findings for the American workforce, emerging approaches to address the earnings and skills gaps, and the potential use of apprenticeships as a tool to improve skills. Panelists are:

• Johan Uvin (U.S. Department of Education)

• Harry Holzer (Georgetown University and American Institutes for Research)

• Robert Lerman (American University and The Urban Institute) (conference program description)

This presentation was given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).

This research study identifies different municipal financing tools which have been and might be implemented throughout the city of Seattle for workforce development programming. The report includes examples illustrating the process in which Seattle generates revenues to meet program expenditures, as well as current tools that the city utilizes in funding social benefit programs for its residents.