Authored by Thomas M. Fraker, Dan M. Levy, Robert B. Olsen, and Rita A. Stapulonis. This Mathematica Policy Research Inc. Report to Congress Presents findings from the outcomes analysis component of the Welfare-to-Work evaluation describing characteristics and experiences of enrollees in 11 sites. The report finds that enrollees were more likely to receive employment preparation services than skill enhancement services; most were employed during the year after they entered WtW, but employment tended to be unstable; and those employed typically worked a lot of hours for low wages and few fringe benefits. In addition, poverty was high one year after program entry, but it was lower among those who were employed.

This study explores the relationship between TANF and WIA programs in aiding TANF recipients and achieving the goals of each program. By conducting site visits, the coordination of TANF and WIA was assessed to identify how the low-income population is best served to promote self-sufficiency.

Sixty percent of city officials say that unemployment is a problem in their city, and this report shares the experience of city officials in coordinating workforce development efforts. The transitional jobs program can help residents overcome barriers to employment, while gaining the necessary experience to attain employment. Authors share the experiences of ten cities implementing pilot transitional jobs programs in their urban centers.

While many organizations provide skills training to help low-income people attain and maintain employment, very few provide strategies to aid in the development of employment networks. This article reviews promising practices from around the country on developing and expanding employment networks for low-income people.

This article, through Mathematica Policy Research, reviews the role that the Pathways Case Management System has had in helping States achieve universal engagement. Pathways includes tools to help frontline TANF staff give recipients the supports they need to transition into employment. "Pathways is based on the belief that all recipients can participate in activities that will help them improve their life circumstances, that they should be required to do so, and that, through this experience, they will eventually become as self-sufficient as possible, given their circumstances." This article includes lessons learned from the Pathways program to achieve universal engagement.

This newsletter from the Family and Youth Services Board (FYSB), reviews strategies for combining education and employment to help support families and youth on the transition to adulthood. Specifically, the FYSB runaway and homeless youth program, which includes Transitional Living Program grants, offer educational and employment-focused assistance for youth.

Employers are important partners in workforce development. This resource outlines promising strategies employed by three workforce development organizations to successfully engage employers. Strategies used by Jewish Vocational Service, San Francisco; Training, Inc., Boston and WIRE-Net, Cleveland include involving employers on the Board of Directors to using employers to teach training classes.

This article, through the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, is the final report from an Academy for six States to acquire the tools critical in developing effective policies that foster a competitive and knowledgeable workforce. The States involved made the following recommendations that enhance the alignment of workforce and education programs with economic development.

This article outlines the experience of six workforce organizations in the process of restructuring to become more outcomes driven. Reviewing strategies to increase communication among frontline staff around data, many organizations found positive results to better serve job seekers and employers alike.

This article reviews a project designed to provide welfare recipients working 20 hours a week with an education program at a local community college. The 24 week program included mathematics, English, computer skills, as well as life skills necessary for successful employment. This article is an evaluation of the program in terms of improving employment opportunities for welfare recipients.