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Summary

The Training Focused Program allowed newly employed Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients to reduce work participation (to zero hours per week) in order to pursue education and training opportunities. This evaluation directly compared the Training Focused Program to a separate intervention, Work Plus, to better understand which of the two interventions might be more effective. The distinctive feature of the Training Focused Program is the ability of participants to completely replace work hours with participation in other permitted activities, such as education and training.

To continue to receive benefits, TANF participants were required to engage in employment-related activities for 32 hours per week. Program staff allowed TANF participants in the Training Focused intervention to decrease work hours per week to zero hours to pursue education and training activities, with the philosophy that eliminating the requirement to engage in work would allow participants to access the most useful education and training programs. Participation in education and training was voluntary, but if participants chose not to pursue education and training, they were required to participate in other permitted activities—including work—for at least 32 hours per week. Participants received intensive case management services, including access and referrals to mental health, domestic violence, and substance use treatment services.

Populations and employment barriers: Cash assistance recipients, Employed, Parents, Single parents

Effectiveness rating and effect by outcome domain

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Outcome domain Term Effectiveness rating Effect in 2018 dollars and percentages Effect in standard deviations Sample size
Increase earnings Short-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable -$502 per year -0.024 1442
Long-term No evidence to assess support
Very long-term No evidence to assess support
Increase employment Short-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable -2% (in percentage points) -0.049 1442
Long-term No evidence to assess support
Very long-term No evidence to assess support
Decrease benefit receipt Short-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable $6 per year 0.002 1442
Long-term No evidence to assess support
Very long-term No evidence to assess support
Increase education and training All measurement periods No evidence to assess support

Studies of this intervention

Study quality rating Study counts per rating
High High 1

Implementation details

Characteristics of research participants
Black or African American
21%
Unknown or not reported
34%
Hispanic or Latino of any race
45%

The Pathways Clearinghouse refers to interventions by the names used in study reports or manuscripts. Some intervention names may use language that is not consistent with our style guide, preferences, or the terminology we use to describe populations.

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