OSSRD Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs

Federal TANF regulations impose time limits on cash assistance and require recipients of cash assistance to participate in work-related activities unless exempt. Currently in Louisiana the STEP program assists individuals in this transition from cash assistance to employment. STEP is the work component of the Department of Social Service’s cash assistance program (Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP)). STEP helps family members receiving cash assistance get jobs through such activities as job readiness, job search, subsidized employment, work experience placements, on the job training and work-relevant education. It also provides supportive services such as child care and transportation to make work possible (DSS, 2007). The goal of STEP is to help families “transition from cash assistance to self-reliance” (TANF STATE PLAN, 2004, p. III.1). The Personal Responsibility and Universal Engagement Act of 2003 is the enabling legislation for the STEP program (DSS, 2007).

The primary objective of this evaluation is to determine specific outcomes of the STEP program including labor market participation, earnings, job quality, and overall wellbeing.

During previous years the evaluation examined the effect of individual program-related factors on earnings including length of time on the program, compliance with program rules and work activity participation.
Data for the evaluation have come from the Louisiana Department of Social Services, Louisiana Department of Labor, surveys and interviews of STEP Participants and interviews with STEP program staff and STEP partners.
Current research includes assessing pre and post program wage differences and assessing the decline in program participation using eligible individual enrolled in other LA-DSS programs.

For more information about the STEP evaluation contact Michelle Livermore at mliver@lsu.edu.