Study Details | Pathways to Work

1244-Study of Ohio Job Op

Study quality: Low

Low

Reason for the rating: This study received a low study quality rating because the implementation of the randomized controlled trial was compromised and it does not adjust estimated impacts for potentially important differences between the program and comparison groups.

Program: Ohio Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program (JOBS)

Characteristics of study participants:

Cash assistance recipients, Parents, Public benefits recipients

Services provided:

Basic skills/bridge programs, Job readiness, Job search assistance, Stipends, Subsidized employment/transitional jobs, Unpaid work experience/internships

Setting: Tested in multiple settings

Methods and Standards Protocol version used for review: Version 1.0

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Study design

Design:

Randomized controlled trial

Study group formation:

Fifteen counties implemented JOBS on a demonstration basis during or soon after January 1989. New JOBS-mandatory clients were assigned to JOBS or the comparison condition through December 1991. Between 1989 and 1991, the entire caseload in the 15 demonstration counties was randomly assigned to program and comparison groups at a ratio of nine to one. Evaluators used Ohio’s caseload management system to automatically implement random assignment, using an algorithm based on client social security numbers. Problems with random assignment resulted in 12 percent of comparison group members receiving JOBS services. Evaluators identified and removed these clients from the cases that they analyzed. They also removed cases that moved away from the evaluation counties after random assignment.

Time period of study:

This study focuses on participants entering the program in 1989 and 1990, and outcomes were measured for three years after program entry.

Pathways to Work only reports results from studies with a study quality rating of high or moderate.

Sample characteristics

Family status

Parents

100%

Employment and public benefit status

Public benefits recipients	100%
Cash assistance recipients	100%

Program implementation

Implementing organization:

Ohio's Job Opportunity and Basic Skills Training Program.

Program services:

The program under study was the JOBS program (initially known as Fair Work) that used an assessment-based approach in which caseworkers had discretion in placing clients into activities. Clients without a high school diploma or equivalent were encouraged (not required) to enroll in basic education classes (such as Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, and general education diploma preparation). Clients with a high school degree or equivalent were assigned to a Community Work Experience Program site or to one of the following education and training activities: postsecondary education, job-readiness training, or job skills training. Clients with recent work experience were assigned to job club, a job search program.

Mandatory services:

Participation was mandatory for clients assigned to the program group and noncompliance could result in reductions in benefits.

Comparison services:

Those assigned to the comparison group were excluded from the program; they had no mandatory participation requirement, nor could they participate in the work program services on a voluntary basis.

Study publications

Bell, Stephen H., and David J. Fein (1991). Ohio Transitions to Independence evaluation: Program impacts in the first fiscal year, Bethesda, MD: Abt Associates.

Blomquist, John (1995). The Ohio Transitions to Independence demonstration: Report on program costs and benefits, Bethesda, MD: Abt Associates.

Fein, David J. (1994). The Ohio Transitions to Independence demonstration—JOBS assignments in Ohio: Patterns and impacts, Bethesda, MD: Abt Associates. Available at https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED411389.

Fein, David J., Erik Beecroft, and John D. Blomquist (1994). The Ohio Transitions to Independence demonstration: Final impacts for JOBS and Work Choice, Bethesda, MD: Abt Associates.

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Pathways to Work refers to programs by the names used in study reports or manuscripts. Some program 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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Study of Ohio Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program (JOBS)