HHS/OPRE and MDRC reported an RCT of Individual Placement and Support — a job counseling, search and support program for adults with disabilities. Quick take: High-quality RCT found an impressive 26% gain in two-year earnings, although no discernible effect on time employed.

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Program:

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• The program, as implemented by the San Diego Workforce Partnership,  serves under- or unemployed low-income individuals with a range of self-identified mental and/or physical disabilities.

• Participants receive assistance from an employment specialist who provides personalized career counseling, benefits counseling, and job search assistance with an emphasis on satisfying participants’ job preferences, and continues to provide “follow-along” support after participants obtain a job.

• The program cost is approximately $4,340 per person.

 

Study Design:

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• The RCT study sample comprised 1,061 adults in San Diego (54% female, 60% non-white). Based on careful review, this was a high-quality RCT (e.g., negligible sample attrition, good baseline balance).

 

Findings:

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• The study found a statistically significant 26% ($3,965) increase on earnings over the 2 years following study entry (although there was tentative evidence that the impact was diminishing over time). The study found no discernible impact on time employed over the 2 years.

 

Comment:

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• Overall, I think the results are quite promising.