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General Information
View a brief abstract of this project.
View a complete, printer-friendly profile of this project.
| Evaluator(s) |
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
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| Investigator(s) |
Rachel A. Hickson
(New Jersey Department of Human Services)
Stuart Kerachsky
(Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.)
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| Domain |
Income Security/TANF
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| Status |
Completed (final report released)
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| Duration |
Oct 1998 - Sep 2004
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| Type |
Research and/or Program Evaluation
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| Program/Policy Description |
This study is tracking over a period of five years, a representative statewide sample of Work First New Jersey families who participated in the program during the first year and a half of its implementation--- July 1997 and December 1998. The longitudinal survey includes approximately 2,000 families (6 surveys over 5 years).
The study focuses on three sets of questions:
1. People - How many recipients and former recipients get and keep jobs? What happens to families after they leave welfare? Who has the most difficulty making the transition from welfare to work? What are the characteristics and typical origins of child-only Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) cases?
2. Programs - What hurdles do welfare and employment agencies face in implementing Work First? What are some promising strategies for overcoming these hurdles and providing the services clients need?
3. Places - What are the challenges facing low- and moderate-income parents and employers in high-poverty communities? How are local service providers responding to these challenges?
The evaluation has five components:
(1) Longitudinal Client Study- to track the progress of WFNJ families over a five-year period,
(2) Program Study - to examine implementation issues,
(3) Community Study - to learn how WFNJ is unfolding at the community level,
(4) Child-Only Study - to examine the characteristics of child-only welfare cases in New Jersey,
and
(5) Unemployment Insurance study - to examine the eligibility and use of UI benefits by WFNJ leavers.
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| Notes |
Frequent reporting feedback planned - reports at each stage/activity to provide management with information early and often - formative evaluation, not an impact study.
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| Last Updated |
09/22/04
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| Type of Summary |
Unreviewed
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| Contact(s) |
Rachel A. Hickson (rhickson@dhs.state.nj.us)
New Jersey Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 700
(T) (609) 984-8198
(F) (609) 292-1743
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| Submitter(s) |
Rachel A. Hickson (rhickson@dhs.state.nj.us)
New Jersey Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 700
(T) (609) 984-8198
(F) (609) 292-1743
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Populations Studied
| Target Population |
Recipients/participants/clients
Former recipients ("leavers")
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| Subgroups Analyzed |
Single parent families
Two-parent families
Low-wage workers
Local government
Caseworkers/managers/administrators
Child-only cases
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| Sample Size and Unit |
Random statewide sample of 2,000 families. (1,000 were on TANF as of 7/97 and 1,000 came on TANF later).
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| Execution |
Goal for survey of 2,000 is 80% over five years.
Response Rates:
First survey: 80% (n = 1621);
Second survey: 80% (n = 1607);
Third survey: 80% (n = 1609);
Fourth survey: 81% (n = 1607);
Fifth survey: 80% (n=1608).
All five surveys: 57%;
Any of the five surveys: 95%.
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Sites Studied
New Jersey - statewide
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