The COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting economic recession, have impacted employment in dramatic ways. In the United States, at the start of the pandemic, the unemployment rate more than tripled, disproportionately affecting some groups. Evidence on programs that have effectively improved employment and earnings for people with low incomes during past recessions and recoveries can help policymakers and practitioners target their resources as they seek to improve employment in the wake of the pandemic and beyond.
This brief highlights key findings from a related report that uses a literature scan and a meta-analysis to synthesize the information catalogued by the Pathways to Work Evidence Clearinghouse to understand the programs and types of services with the strongest evidence of improving employment, earnings, and related outcomes for people with low incomes during recessions and recoveries.
Research Questions
- Do programs designed to improve employment outcomes for people with low incomes show evidence of effectiveness during recessions and recoveries?
- What specific types of programs work to improve employment outcomes for people with low incomes during recessions and recoveries from recessions? Are specific types of programs more or less effective during recessions or recoveries?
- How should service providers consider altering operations in response to economic conditions?
Key Findings and Highlights
- On average, programs improve employment outcomes among people with low incomes during recessions and recoveries.
- Specific types of programs were especially effective during recessions and recoveries.
- During recessions, programs that primarily focused on case management or other supports, employment services, and work and work-based learning had evidence of improving outcomes.
- During recoveries, programs that primarily focused on education and training, work and work-based learning, employment services, case management or other supports, and incentives and sanctions had evidence of improving outcomes.
- Providers can consider changing the types of programs or services they emphasize based on economic conditions.
- During periods of recession, when unemployment is increasing, practitioners and policymakers should consider placing more emphasis on case management or other supports, and less emphasis on education and training.
- During periods of recovery, when the unemployment rate is falling, practitioners and policymakers should consider targeting resources toward programs focused on education and training, work and work-based learning, employment services, incentives and sanctions, and case management or other supports.
Methods
This brief highlights key findings from a related report that uses a literature scan and a meta-analysis to synthesize the information catalogued by Pathways to Work.
Citation
Rotz, Dana and Alexandra Stanczyk. (2021). Overview of Findings: What Works During Economic Recessions and Recoveries? Evidence from Pathways to Work. OPRE Report # 2021-230, Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
