Great New Videos on the Research Channel

Three new videos are available on the Research Channel from the University of Chicago:

• Teen Mothers- a panel of notables examines the implications of teen motherhood from varying perspectives, from policy implications for teen mothers to risks that may include maltreatment or even incarceration.
• Place-based poverty initiatives- Panelists explore how initiatives that integrate services for high-need young people can complement comprehensive neighborhood development work now being enacted in Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area, Detroit and other cities.
• Monitoring Child Well-being- A panel discussion on how to improve health care, education and child welfare. Experts explore what programs are working and opportunities for developing more effective program design and service integration through performance monitoring.

For videos highlighting policymakers who have successfully implemented policies that improved outcomes for children and families.

Innovative Job Training Program Leverages State and Federal Funding

Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET). FSET is a federal program that provides grants to states to provide job training services for food stamp recipients. In addition, this program also provides unlimited 50 percent federal funding match for additional state and local funds invested in training for this population. States that access these uncapped matching funds can leverage significant federal dollars to provide expanded job training and related supports to those at the lowest end of the income scale. An evaluation of the first 18 months of the pilot program identified the following successes:

• Enhanced Services. Through the pilot program, partnering agencies enhanced access to employment services, expanded the services available, and provided more personalized and intensive services. In the first year of the program, 566 people received employment and training services -- people who, without this program -- would not have been eligible for these services.
• Higher Wages Among Participants. State data show that wages of program participants grew from $8.80 before participation to $11.46 afterward -- a gain of 30 percent.
• Significant Leverage of Federal Funds. During the first 18 months of this pilot, partners accessed over $1.1 million in federal matching funds.
• Return on Investment: A Washington state study found that effective job training yielded net benefits to taxpayers of up to $27,000 per participant.

For policies to improve job training and maximize the FSET program.

Connecticut Uses a Results Frame to Improve Outcomes for Young Children

A brief look at Connecticut’s use of results-based accountability to ensure better outcomes for young children, as measured by elementary school academic success. For policies to improve early academic success.