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Summary

Rapid Employment Model (REM) used training and incentives to quickly find jobs for people who were formerly incarcerated, people who received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or people who received the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

REM combined short-term occupational training, job placement services, case management, and supportive services such as child care to help participants find jobs. The program offered a financial incentive of $100 in cash or gift cards for each week participants attended all training sessions, and an additional $50 if they were hired and reported their employment to their training provider. Training lasted up to six weeks and was provided in areas such as construction, truck driving, clerical work, or nursing. Participants who were not employed within three weeks of completing training received job placement services from the local Workforce Investment Board. The program was designed for people who were formerly incarcerated, TANF recipients, or SNAP recipients. This program took place in Travis County, TX.

Populations and employment barriers:
Populations and employment barriers: Justice involvement

Implementation at a glance

Primary service
Program services
Job placement, Job search assistance, Occupational or sectoral training, Performance- or behavior-based financial incentives, Soft skills training
Setting(s)
Tested in multiple settings
Year evaluation began
2006
Implementing organization(s)Travis County, WorkSource—Greater Austin (the local workforce investment board, which operates three career centers), and local providers (four training providers: Austin Academy, Austin Community College, Construction Gateway, and Central Texas Nurse Network; and one job placement provider: Goodwill Industries).

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
Low Low 2

Program cost

No cost information available.

Implementation details

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