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Summary

The EleVAte program placed SNAP participants who were able-bodied adults without dependents into one of three service components based on a reading level assessment and training interests: a hybrid online and in-person basic adult education program, a short-term occupational skills training course, or a longer-term occupational skills training course with integrated basic education.

The first component, EleVAte Virginia Online, provided customized, self-paced online basic adult education blended with in-person instruction, targeted to participants reading at a third- to fifth-grade level. The second component, Job Skills Training Program (JSTP), offered enrollment in short-term occupational skills courses plus Moral Reconation Therapy, which blends a group cognitive-behavioral therapy program with life skills training, and was targeted to those reading at a fifth- to eighth-grade level. The third component, PluggedIn Virginia (PIVA), was a longer-term occupational skills training course combined with a hybrid online and in-person integrated education program aiming to support obtaining a high school equivalency credential, targeted to those reading at an eighth-grade level or higher. In addition to the selected component, all participants were offered career coaching, digital literacy training, job readiness and soft skills training, and support services.

EleVAte Virginia Online lasted between six to eight weeks. JSTP lasted between eight to 12 weeks, with the Moral Reconation Therapy component lasting a few hours per week. PIVA lasted six to eight months. The services offered to all participants were available throughout the period of program participation.

The program was implemented statewide in Virginia.

101036.11-Study of EleVAte
Populations and employment barriers: Adults (age 25+), Public benefits recipients, At least a high school diploma or equivalent

Effectiveness rating and effect by outcome domain

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Outcome domain Term Effectiveness rating Effect in 2024 dollars and percentages Effect in standard deviations Sample size
Increase earnings Short-term Not supported unfavorable $-1,057 per year -0.029 3836
Long-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable $-765 per year -0.021 3836
Very long-term Cannot assess support
Increase employment Short-term Little evidence to assess support unfavorable -1% (in percentage points) -0.028 3836
Long-term Not supported unfavorable -3% (in percentage points) -0.070 3836
Very long-term Cannot assess support
Decrease benefit receipt Short-term Not supported favorable $-48 per year -0.014 3836
Long-term Supported favorable $-82 per year -0.024 3836
Very long-term Cannot assess support
Increase education and training All measurement periods Cannot assess support

Effectiveness ratings

  • Well- supported
  • Supported
  • Mixed support
  • Not supported
  • Insufficient evidence
  • Cannot assess support

Studies of this program

Study quality rating Study counts per rating
High High 1
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Implementation details

Dates covered by study

EleVAte enrolled participants between March 2016 and December 2018. Study data was collected through December 2021, with outcomes measured over a three-year follow-up period after enrollment.

Organizations implementing program

Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS); local DSS agencies; Virginia Community College System (VCSS) and seven participating community colleges; regional adult basic education providers

Populations served

EleVAte was targeted to able-bodied adults without dependents and work registrants (participants who had not met any Federal exemptions from SNAP work requirements and were required to register for work) receiving SNAP. Most participants had a high school diploma or GED (80 percent). The majority of participants were female (74 percent), unemployed (72 percent), and Black or African American (71 percent).

Description of services implemented

EleVAate had three main components tied to assessed reading levels at program entry:

  • EleVAte Virginia Online. Customized self-paced basic adult education program blending online content with in-person instruction to improve math and reading skills. Targeted to participants assessed at a third- to fifth-grade reading level.
  • Job Skills Training Program. Offered enrollment in short-term occupational training programs through community colleges. Moral Reconation Therapy, which combines a group-based cognitive-behavioral program with life skills training, was also offered and facilitated by a certified counselor. Targeted to participants assessed at a fifth- to eighth-grade reading level.
  • PluggedIn Virginia. Advanced, longer-term occupational skills training courses were combined with a hybrid online and classroom-based contextualized adult education focused on attainment of a high school equivalency credential. Targeted to participants assessed at an eighth-grade reading level or higher.

Additional services offered to all participants included:

  • Soft skills and job search training and assistance. Most participants had to participate in online, self-paced trainings on digital literacy, soft skills, and job readiness, in addition to supplemental individual and group workshops and career coaching.
  • Case management and support services. Adult career coaches and counselors from the community colleges provided supports and referrals to other programs, such as community-based mental health programs. Financial supports were available for costs related to transportation, educational materials, rent, and work clothing or tools.

Service intensity

EleVAte Virginia Online took six to eight weeks to complete. JSTP took eight to 12 weeks to complete. PIVA took six to eight months to complete.

Comparison conditions

The comparison group was eligible for existing SNAP Employment and Training program services and any other employment and training services available in the community. Virginia's existing SNAP Employment and Training program was voluntary, and at the time of the pilot was not available in all localities. It offered basic case management, support services, limited access to education and training services delivered by local providers, and referrals to other services in the community.

Partnerships

Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) oversaw EleVAte in coordination with local DSS agencies and partnered with:

  • Virginia Community College System (VCSS). Lead provider of EleVAte services through seven participating community colleges.
  • Virginia Adult Basic Education. Regional providers delivered the basic education services in coordination with the participating community colleges.

Staffing

Participating community colleges provided the staff for the occupational skills training programs and career coaches and counselors. A trained counselor delivered Moral Reconation Therapy.

Fidelity measures

The study did not discuss any tools to measure fidelity to the program model.

Funding source

The program was funded by federal SNAP Employment and Training Pilot demonstration funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The information contained here reflects how the program was implemented at the time of the evaluation.

Local context

EleVAte was implemented in 24 localities across Virginia through 22 local DSS agencies and seven community colleges. Virginia DSS is headquartered in Glen Allen, VA with five regional offices and many local offices. Virginia Community College System is headquartered in Richmond, VA.

Characteristics of research participants
Black or African American
71%
White, not Hispanic
20%
Asian
1%
Another race
1%
More than one race
4%
Hispanic or Latino of any race
4%

The race and ethnicity categories may sum to more than 100 percent if the authors reported race and ethnicity separately; in these cases, we report the category White, rather than White, not Hispanic.

State(s) where implemented

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY Canada

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