The Portland version of JOBS, a national program model enacted through the Family Support Act of 1988 to support Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) recipients in finding employment, focused on moving individuals rapidly into employment, while also encouraging participants to search for higher-paying jobs that provided benefits.
Although some participants were first referred to short-term training and education programs, most were initially assigned to a job club for 30 hours per week, followed by a job search (during which they were required to contact 20 employers per week). Participants also had access to a job developer; life skills and vocational training; secondary and postsecondary education; and supportive services, such as child care and transportation. Case managers intensively monitored participants’ activities and could sanction individuals by reducing their benefits. Job clubs lasted for two weeks, and intensive job search activities lasted for six weeks; the average participant engaged in JOBS activities for 5.2 months. Participants were single-parent AFDC recipients. The intervention was implemented in Portland, OR.