Ohio Works First Evaluation: Program Components, Policies, and Activities

Program Components, Policies, and Activities Evaluated

Employment activities

  • Job skills training
  • Job readiness activities
  • Job search

Educational activities

  • High school completion
  • Post-secondary education

Financial incentives

  • Earnings disregards

Financial disincentives/Sanctions

  • Strengthened JOBS sanctions

Program requirements

  • Work requirement
  • Broadened JOBS participation requirement

Social/Support services

  • Child care
  • Transitional child care
  • Health benefits
  • Transitional health benefits
  • Transportation

Administration/Implementation

  • Changes in welfare office environment/culture
  • Program enforcement of sanctions

Time limits

  • Time Limits - misc.

Food stamps

  • Food Stamps - misc.

Diversionary activities

  • Diversionary activities - misc.
Variation in program components across sites? No
Notes on program components Administration/Implementation:
Assessment of the correlation between administration and implementation of Ohio Works First and socioeconomic outcomes of recipients.
Administration of time limits.

Diversion Activities:
Assessment of diversion strategies used by OWF offices.

Educational Activities:
Assessment of the correlation between high school education and post secondary education and outcomes of recipients.

Employment Activities:
Assessment of the correlation of job training, readiness programs, unsubsidized employment, and work experience with outcomes of recipients.

Researchers did not study in-depth the activity itself but changes in participation in the various work and education activities.

Food Stamps:
Use of food stamps after leaving OWF.

Social/Support Services:
Childcare and medical care benefits for those leaving cash assistance.

Time Limits:
Strategies for OWF participants who are approaching their 36-month time limit on eligibility.