Absence of conflict of interest.
Citation
Highlights
- The study’s objective was to examine the implementation of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) program which provides transitional employment placements, coaching, and job search support for justice-involved individuals.
- The study authors conducted an implementation evaluation using program data from CEO's management system, participant survey data, and qualitative data obtained through interviews with CEO program staff and members of the treatment group.
- The study found that the CEO treatment program operated as planned during the study period, with the majority of program group members reporting that they received the core program services.
- The authors did not provide detailed information about site/participant selection strategies and steps taken to ensure data quality.
- The embedded impact study was reviewed by CLEAR in November 2016.
Intervention Examined
The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) Transitional Job Program
Features of the Intervention
- Type of organization: Nonprofit organization
- Location/setting: Multi-site in New York City, NY
- Population served and scale: Former justice-involved adults. 977 participants served.
- Industry focus: Not included
- Intervention activities: Supportive employment, job search support, job coaching
- Organizational partnerships: City and state agencies
- Cost: The net benefit per program participant was estimated to be $4,900
- Fidelity: Not Included
The CEO transitional job program was a comprehensive program that focused on the employment of 977 justice-involved individuals during the years 2004-2008. Following referral from their parole officer, CEO clients completed intake sessions to begin their transitional employment. Following the completion of intake materials and random assignment, clients in the treatment program participated in preemployment classes for 5 days and were then placed in jobs at city or state agency work sites for four days a week. On the fifth day, participants went to the program office for specialized programming including Responsible Fatherhood instruction, job coaching, permanent job search resources, and postplacement services.
Features of the Study
The study authors conducted an implementation evaluation of the CEO program and collected data through site visits to nine of the work sites, interviews with CEO staff and treatment participants, participant surveys, and examination of data in the program management information system. The study primarily intended to assess program operations during the study period and analyze the rates of service receipt by treatment or control group status. Study authors did not provide specific details regarding the qualitative data collection methods and did not provide details on their methods of analysis.
Findings
Intervention activities/services
- The study found that the average time treatment participants spent in their transitional employment work placements was nine weeks.
- The study found that the average time spent in job placements occurred over about four months of participation in the CEO program.
- The study found that the program was utilized as intended, with the majority of CEO treatment participants completing the initial five-day employment class and completing work in their assigned job placement for at least one day.
- The study found that of those that completed work in their assigned job placement, a majority of participants also utilized the additional services of the CEO program, including job coaching and job search services.
Cost/ROI
- The study found that the net benefit per program participant was estimated to be $4,900.
- The study found that the program cost was approximately $4,800 per participant.