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For this study, the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) recruited residents of Hidalgo, Starr, or Willacy counties in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas who were interested in high-demand occupations. Participants were required to be low-income, public assistance recipients, underemployed, or unemployed; at least 18 years of age; and eligible to work in the United States. Participants were also required to have a high school diploma or general education diploma. After being deemed eligible and completing baseline and consent forms, the study randomly assigned 478 participants to the intervention group and 480 participants to the comparison group. Enrollment occurred between November 2011 and June 2014.
Enrollment occurred from November 2011 to June 2014, and the study presents findings from the first 24 months after random assignment.
The PACE evaluation was funded by the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation within the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
All participants were residents of the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Over 60 percent were between the ages of 21 and 34, and about 70 percent were female. Nearly all were Hispanic (96 percent). Most participants had some postsecondary education prior to the start of the study (73 percent), and about one third of participants held a vocational or technical certificate or diploma (31 percent). Approximately two-thirds received WIC or SNAP benefits in the year before random assignment (68 percent). All were required to have a high school diploma or equivalent certification, although about 1 percent lacked this credential.
VIDA, a community-based organization, provided program services in partnership with local colleges and universities.
VIDA has existed since 1995 and was formed by the local business community and faith-based leaders.
The VIDA program analyzed local labor markets to understand which occupations were in high-demand in the region. VIDA participants enrolled full time in educational programs offered through five partnering colleges or universities in these high-demand fields. Educational programs included certificate programs, associate's degree programs, or the last two years of coursework to receive a bachelor's degree. Those who were not deemed college-ready participated in the College Prep Academy, a 16-week basic skills remediation program provided through a local college. Participants received intensive counseling services on a weekly basis either in one-on-one or group settings. Counseling sessions focused on life skills, such as time management and budgeting, as well as skills to support success in participants' education programs. VIDA also offered a range of supportive services, including financial aid; funding for books, tools, or uniforms needed for programming; connection to child care; transportation assistance; and emergency assistance.
Participants in the comparison group were unable to receive services from VIDA. They could receive other services provided in their communities, which included the same college programs VIDA offered. However, the coordination of services and the particular bundling of services VIDA provided was exclusive to those in the intervention group.
None.
Services were provided over an average of two and a half years.
Not known.
VIDA took place in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, TX.