- July 2019
- FF41-2019
- Link to FF41-2019 (PDF)
This brief summarizes findings on strategies for helping hard-to-employ populations—especially cash welfare assistance clients and disadvantaged parents with child support obligations—become employed. It begins with an overview of the unique needs of these two groups, followed by a review of strategies that have successfully boosted their employment. Approaches include caseworkers providing personal attention and robust supports; incentives; interventions informed by behavioral science; transportation assistance; recruitment efforts; and supported employment opportunities. Evaluations of the effectiveness of these employment strategies are cited when available.
Takeaways
- Some cash welfare clients and disadvantaged parents with child support obligations have significant barriers to finding and keeping a job.
- Barriers include low education, physical or mental health issues, criminal history, caregiving responsibilities for a disabled child, and recent experience of domestic violence.
- Approaches include caseworkers providing personal attention and robust supports; incentives for employment and/or child support compliance; and interventions informed by behavioral science.
Categories
Child Support, Employment, Health, Labor Market, Mental Health & Substance Abuse, Orders & Payments, Unemployment/Nonemployment