Study Details | Pathways to Work

25368-Study of Linking Inn

Study quality: Low

Low

Reason for the rating: This study received a low study quality rating because the program was always provided in combination with another factor and the effect of the program cannot be disentangled from the effect of that other factor.

Program: Linking Innovation, Knowledge, and Employment (@LIKE) Program

Characteristics of study participants:

Unemployed, Young adults (age 16-24)

Services provided:

Apprenticeships, Basic skills/bridge programs, Case management, Job readiness, Occupational or sectoral training, On-the-job training, Paid work experience/internships, Soft skills training, Transportation assistance, 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:

Quasi-experimental design

Study group formation:

The study authors used a propensity score–matching method to construct the program and comparison groups. Program group participants were young adults, ages 18 to 24, enrolled in the @LIKE program between January 2013 and October 2014. To be eligible for the program, youth could not be in school, working, or serving in the armed forces, and they had to have low income, be gang involved, be an ex-offender, receive public assistance, or be a recently separated veteran. Using propensity score matching, study authors matched the 664 program participants to young adults receiving Workforce Investment Act (WIA)/Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services in the same counties at the same time as program group participants were enrolled in @LIKE. The propensity score matching was based on demographic characteristics, educational attainment, measures of socioeconomic status, employment, criminal justice involvement, and disability status.

Time period of study:

Individuals were enrolled in the @LIKE program (program group) or WIA/WIOA programs (comparison group) between January 2013 and October 2014. Follow-up ended in March 2016.

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

Sample characteristics

Age

Young adults (age 16-24)

100%

Sex

Female	44%
Male	56%

Race and ethnicity

Black or African American	13%
White, not Hispanic	16%
Hispanic or Latino of any race	62%
American Indian or Alaska Native	1%
More than one race	2%
Unknown, not reported, or other	6%
Unknown or not reported	6%

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.

Employment and public benefit status

Were employed	2%
Were unemployed	98%
Public benefits recipients	9%
Had low incomes	100%

Education

Had a high school diploma or GED	58%
Did not have a high school diploma or GED	42%

Specific employment barriers

Were involved with the justice system	17%
Were experiencing homelessness	6%
Were disconnected workers	100%

Program implementation

Implementing organization:

Local workforce boards

Program services:

The program group consisted of disconnected youth, ages 18 to 24, enrolled in the @LIKE program in Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties in southern California between January 2013 and October 2014. @LIKE program participants received individualized services, including soft-skills training; supportive services; work-readiness services; career exploration and work experience opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training; and education and training services. Services were provided by case managers and life coaches. Life coaches focused on personal issues and improving participants' confidence, and case managers coordinated service and administrative needs.

Mandatory services:

None.

Comparison services:

The comparison group consisted of youth ages 18 to 24 in Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties who participated in WIA or WIOA programs during the same time period as the program group received @LIKE services. Comparison group members had access to services that were similar to those provided by @LIKE, but they did not have a case manager or life coach, and services for comparison group members were less individualized and intensive.

Study publications

Gupta, Sonam, Mithuna Srinivasan, Yang Chen, Luke Patterson, and Timothy Griffith (2016). Riverside County Economic Development Agency evaluation of the Linking Innovation, Knowledge, and Employment program final evaluation report, Columbia, MD: IMPAQ International, LLC. Available at https://www.impaqint.com/sites/default/files/project-reports/@LIKE%20Final%20Evaluation%20Report%20508-compliant.pdf.

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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 Linking Innovation, Knowledge, and Employment (@LIKE) Program