Employment Strategies for People Facing Complex Barriers: Evidence from Multiple Randomized Controlled Trials

Session Submission Type: Panel

Abstract

Employment programs for individuals with low incomes aim to address complex, varied, and interrelated employment challenges, such as limited formal training, health challenges, navigating public benefits programs, and unstable life circumstances. These programs are often implemented within systems where policies and service delivery approaches vary widely within and across states. This variation creates important opportunities—and challenges—for understanding what works across diverse contexts. This panel presents new evidence from rigorous evaluations of two approaches applied in different contexts—employment coaching and Individual Placement and Support (IPS)—alongside insights on how to translate research into practice. Together, the papers highlight the promise and limitations of current strategies, and offer guidance for strengthening employment services for populations facing complex challenges in achieving economic self-sufficiency.

The first paper presents new evidence on the impacts of employment coaching programs across multiple randomized controlled trials, including four programs (FaDSS, Goal4 It!, LIFT, and MyGoals) tested under the Evaluation of Employment Coaching for TANF and Related Populations and one program (Work Success) tested under the Next Generation of Enhanced Employment Strategies (NextGen) Project. These programs vary in context and delivery—from home visiting to workforce center–based coaching—but share a common emphasis on participant-driven goal setting and self-regulation.

The second paper presents new work from the Pathways to Work Evidence Clearinghouse, introducing Evidence-to-Practice Guides designed to bridge the gap between research and implementation. Drawing on systematic evidence reviews and expert input, this work distills evaluation findings from employment coaching and case management programs into actionable recommendations, offering practical tools for frontline providers and program leaders across TANF, workforce, and community college systems. The presentation will include both an overview of key recommendations, as well as a discussion of how Evidence-to-Practice Guides can be used to support uptake of evidence-based practices.

The third and fourth papers focus on IPS, an evidence-based employment model traditionally used for individuals with serious mental illness, now being adapted for and tested with new populations. The third paper presents findings from the NextGen evaluation of IPS for adults with recent justice involvement, while the fourth provides evidence from the Building Evidence on Employment Strategies (BEES) project, which is testing IPS among individuals with substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and other employment challenges. Both studies use randomized controlled trials to assess impacts on employment and related outcomes.

Across these studies, the panel highlights several cross-cutting themes. First, while many programs improve service engagement and intermediate outcomes, translating these gains into sustained labor market improvements remains challenging. Second, program context, intensity, and target population appear to shape impacts, underscoring the importance of adaptation and implementation. Third, there is a need to generate not only rigorous evidence, but also actionable guidance to support adoption and scale.

By studying employment strategies in diverse state contexts, the panel offers insights relevant to understanding how state and local differences might shape effectiveness. The session will be of interest to researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking actionable evidence to strengthen employment programs and improve economic self-sufficiency.

Policy Area

• Employment and Training Programs

Chair

• Kwesi Atuaful Quansah, University of North Carolina, Charlotte

Discussant

• David C Stapleton, Tree House Economics LLC

Organizer

• Nicardo McInnis, Mathematica

Individual Presentations

• Short- and Long-Term Impacts of Five Employment Coaching Programs - Presenting Author: Nicardo McInnis, Mathematica

• Recommendations for Delivering Employment Coaching and Case Management from the Pathways to Work Evidence Clearinghouse - Presenting Author: Brian Louis Freeman, Abt Global

• Six-Month Impacts from an Evaluation of Individual Placement and Support for Adults with Justice Involvement - Presenting Author: Tim Kautz, Mathematica

• Impact Findings from the BEES’ Studies of IPS for Adults with Behavioral Health Diagnoses - Presenting Author: Megan Millenky, MDRC