2020 Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS)
Abt staff are proud to participate in the virtual 2020 Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS). For 20 years, the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has convened leading researchers, state and local administrators, practitioners, and federal policymakers to discuss new research on family self-sufficiency and social welfare programs. The goals of this conference directly align with Abt’s mission to improve the lives and economic well-being of people worldwide.
Now more than ever, evaluation insights are critical to informing programs and policies designed to support low-income and vulnerable families on the path to economic self-sufficiency. Our experts will discuss recent findings related to job search approaches, substance use disorder, coaching programs, career pathways, and more.
Tuesday, October 13, 3:00 – 4:15 p.m.
Session: Diverse Methods of Coaching: Examples from Across Human Services
Presentation 3: The Implementation and Impact of a Goal-Oriented Coaching Approach for TANF Recipients in Michigan
Karen Gardiner, Abt Global
Wednesday, October 14, 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Session: Adapting Employment and Human Services Programs for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders
Moderator: Karin Martinson, Abt Global
Wednesday, October 14, 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Session: How TANF Is Assisting Families Experiencing Homelessness: Federal, State, and Local Perspectives
Presentation: How TANF Agencies Support Families Experiencing Homelessness: Findings from a TANF Administrator Survey
Lauren Dunton, Abt Global
Wednesday, October 14, 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Session: New Research on Career Pathways: Findings Across Federal Studies
Presentation 1: What Factors Support or Suppress Climbing the Ladder in Career Pathways Programs?
Dan Litwok, Abt Global
Presentation 2: How Effective Are Career Pathways Programs? Preliminary Evidence from a Meta-Analysis of 46 Programs
Laura Peck, Abt Global
Presentation 3: Informing Career Pathway Programs’ Design By Examining Occupational Transitions in the Wider Labor Market
Andrew Clarkwest, Abt Global
Wednesday, October 14, 3:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Session: Building the Evidence Base on Youth Employment Approaches
Presentation 1: Still Bridging the Opportunity Divide for Low-Income Youth: Year Up’s Longer-Term Impacts
David Fein, Abt Global
Thursday, October 15, 1:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Session: The Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) Program: Latest Impact Findings for ACF’s Career Pathways Program and Insights from an HPOG Participant
Presentation 1: Impacts of HPOG 1.0 to Date
Laura Peck, Abt Global
Presentation 2: Short-Term Impacts of HPOG 2.0
David Judkins, Abt Global
Wednesday, October 21, 1:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Session: The Impact of Different Approaches to Providing Job Search Assistance to Job Seekers
Presentation 1: The Impact of Different Job Search Approaches on TANF Recipients' Employment and Public Benefit Receipt
Karin Martinson, Abt Global
Presentation 2: Evaluation of Impacts of the Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment (REA) Program
Correne Saunders, Abt Global
Wednesday, October 21, 1:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Session: Coaching in Practice: Implementation Findings from an Evaluation of Employment Coaching
Presentation 1: How Is Employment Coaching Implemented? Findings from a Multi-Site Evaluation
Karen Gardiner, Abt Global
