As part of the program, clinically oriented staff, such as psychologists or social workers, conducted a two- to three-hour-long substance use assessment to determine the appropriate type of substance use disorder treatment and whether the client was ready to participate in employment-related services. The evaluator assigned a case manager to the client and referred clients to appropriate substance use disorder treatment and other services that addressed clients’ barriers to employment.
Participation in the in-depth assessment and substance use disorder treatment was mandatory, and treatment varied depending on clients’ needs. Failure to attend treatment could result in benefits cancellation. The typical treatment was 10 or 20 hours per week of outpatient services, delivered through a combination of individual and group-based activities. Clients who did not require intensive treatment or who completed their treatment and were therefore nonexempt from TANF employment requirements were referred to New York City’s Human Resources Administration vendors for employment services. The employment services began with a two-week sequence of orientations and workshops.
Case managers, who had reduced caseloads of 35 to 47 participants, had frequent contact with clients and monitored their participation in treatment and employment services. Case managers remained engaged with clients for the first 30 days after employment, focusing on the clinical status of the client. In addition, a retention coordinator oversaw a program that rewarded clients for reaching employment milestones by, for example, giving them an alarm clock or gift certificate.
Substance Abuse Case Management served Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Safety Net recipients. The program operated in New York City.
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