Co-Production in Practice: Alignment of Participant and Staff Perspectives in Workforce Development

• In Event: Harnessing Evidence to Advance Equity in Career Pathways

Abstract

Street-level organizations, including local social services agencies that operate workforce development programs, play a crucial role in delivering government services directly to citizens. Frontline workers at these agencies often face resource constraints, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and the complex needs of diverse populations. The same regulations and circumstances that frustrate workers often manifest in challenges to participants, such as complex paperwork and long wait times. Co-production offers an avenue to address barriers in ways that work for everyone, positively shaping how services are delivered and experienced by workers and participants alike. In theory, co-production may emerge informally as frontline workers find ways to engage clients in service delivery, adapting policies to real-world conditions.

Data gathered on the Health Professions Opportunity Grants (HPOG) programs implemented across the country and funded by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services offers a unique opportunity to analyze how service delivery practices relate to both worker and participant perceptions about the program. How do each of these groups view program success and how do their interactions with each other help or hinder progress?

This study compares and contrasts findings from two parallel research inquiries that explore the relationship between the perceptions and experiences of HPOG participants and staff and program implementation approaches. First, a sentiment analysis of participant interviews (n = 153) was employed to assess participant experiences and whether positive sentiments where more often related to comments about staff, the program, or some other factor. Second, a quantitative analysis of survey data collected from program staff (n = 320) examines staff perspectives on program operations, including their opinions on the extent to which heavy workloads compromise program effectiveness. By conceptually comparing and contrasting findings from these two sets of analyses, we aim to identify how HPOG participants and staff perceptions of program operations are aligned or at odds. Findings from our analyses advance both empirical evidence on the implementation and success of workforce training programs like HPOG as well as theoretical developments related to how frontline experiences facilitate or hinder co-production. 

Authors

• Stephanie Walsh, Rutgers University - New Brunswick
  Presenting Author

• Andrea Hetling, Rutgers University - New Brunswick
  Non-Presenting Co-Author