Featured Projects

Job Search Assistance Strategies Evaluation

This Abt study examines the relative impact of two approaches to help cash assistance recipients find and keep jobs. In two counties in Michigan, the study compared the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to an enhanced version that provided goal-oriented coaching to help recipients set and achieve employment-related goals. The enhanced program did not produce impacts on employment, earnings, or public benefit receipt, but increased self-efficacy.

Expanding Jordan’s Workforce through Policy Change

Achieving an inclusive, strong economy means full participation of women in the workforce. The Jordan Communications, Advocacy and Policy (JCAP) project helped the government reform policies to promote flexible working arrangements so that women and people with disabilities who needed such flexibility could work. This led to increased work productivity, positive impacts on operations, and higher job satisfaction.

New Abt Study Provides Insight into Employee and Worksite Perspectives on FMLA

In 2018, for the U.S. Department of Labor, Abt conducted national employee and worksite Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) surveys on access to paid leave, effects of taking leave, unmet need for leave, and employer perspectives. Abt found that 56 percent of U.S. employees are covered by FMLA, and in the previous 12 months, 15 percent took leave. Coverage for leave, and consequences for taking it, vary by wage levels.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Early Education and Care Workforce

As part of the Early Learning Study at Harvard’s (ELS@H’s), Abt helped design and conduct COVID-19 early education and care (EEC) provider and parent surveys to describe impacts of the pandemic on children, families, and EEC providers in Massachusetts. The study found that lower-income families with young children have been hit especially hard by job loss or reduced work. EEC providers across sectors are negatively impacted by the pandemic, particularly licensed family child care programs.

What We're Talking About

Join Us at APPAM 2020

Abt staff will virtually participate in the Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management’s 2020 Fall Research Conference on Nov. 11-13. Our experts will deliver nearly 30 presentations, sharing the latest social science research. Click here to learn more.

Leverage Points for Stronger, More Informative Impact Evaluations of Social Programs

Abt’s Laura Peck and Karen Gardiner participated in an APPAM/Westat forum discussing random assignment evaluations. Peck moderated a discussion of counterfactuals. Gardiner contributed to a panel on site readiness and intervention fidelity. Click here to read more and register for the recording.

2020 National Council for Workforce Education Conference

Our workforce education experts are participating in the virtual NCWE Annual Conference on Oct. 7-8. Abt staff will present on new career pathways findings, community college and adult education collaborations, and colleges building stronger employer connections. Click here to learn about the sessions.

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