Rockville, Md. – Abt Global announced today that it has been awarded two contracts to evaluate the impacts of Guaranteed Income (GI) pilot programs in eight cities across the country. GI is gaining traction as a potential solution to income inequality and the negative effects of poverty. Its distinguishing characteristic is that it provides cash—rather than services or goods—directly to individuals, with no strings attached. The theory, supported by evidence thus far, is that recipients are in the best position to understand what supports are most needed, and thus can make better use of the more flexible benefit.
All eight cities are members of the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) an emerging national coalition of more than 60 mayors which provides resources to support GI programs in 29 states. Every GI program has a slightly different design, but all share the same approach: offering monthly stipends to help families meet their expenses. The monthly amounts range from $375 to $1,000, and are provided to different target populations, including youth, single mothers, and others living in poverty. Under a contract with MGI, Abt will research GI programs in seven cities, with a focus on looking at how GI impacts participants’ income volatility, financial wellbeing, and overall stress, as well as other aspects of their daily lives.
Abt’s evaluation in each city will last approximately 24 months, with results expected to be published in 2024.
“We’re taking a holistic view of how cash might improve people’s lives—from mental health to housing, financial constraints, and family dynamics,” said Abt’s Anna Jefferson, a lead member of the evaluation team. In addition to documenting the scale of change, our work is intended to help policy makers understand what these programs mean for participants’ quality of life.
Under a separate contract, Abt will also be evaluating Alexandria, Virginia’s ARISE (Alexandria's Recurring Income for Success and Equity) program, which provides recipients $500 monthly for two years.
Ultimately, Abt’s findings for both clients will help inform how GI programs are implemented in the future.
“Our team is looking forward to assessing the evidence around GI’s ability to support those most in need,” said Barbara Fields, vice president of Abt’s Housing practice.
About Abt Global
Abt Global is a global consulting and research firm that combines data and bold thinking to improve the quality of people's lives. We partner with clients and communities to advance equity and innovation—from creating scalable digital solutions and combatting infectious disease, to mitigating climate change and evaluating programs for measurable social impact. https://www.abtglobal.com
Contact:
Eric Tischler
eric_tischler@abtassoc.com
(301) 347-5492
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Public Warning: Recruitment Phishing Scam Impersonating Abt Global
Abt Global has become aware of a phishing scheme targeting individuals with fraudulent interview requests and job offers. Abt’s secure IT systems and private applicant information have not been compromised; scammers are impersonating Abt employees, using the company name and branding to mislead and engage potential job seekers in fake recruitment processes. Scammers might reference real job openings or describe fake opportunities that generally match individuals’ professional backgrounds, with the goal of establishing communication and eventually obtaining private financial information to defraud people. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Trade Commission warn that employment scams such as this are a growing cyber threat. Abt urges anyone who is contacted about employment opportunities to exercise caution and know that: All communication from Abt Global will be from an Abt employee using the @abtglobal.com email domain (e.g., recruiting@abtglobal.com). We do not use third-party recruiters. Abt Global recruiters will only schedule interviews for candidates who have applied for a position through our secure portal. You may view your application status through the applicant portal on Abt Global Careers. No corporate or IT systems at Abt are affected by this scam. The scammers are using Abt’s logo and employee names to impersonate the company. You can directly contact us at recruiting@abtglobal.com with any questions or concerns. Abt is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community. We caution individuals to be vigilant in protecting personal data and vetting communication with new contacts from any company. Do not respond or provide any personal information if contacted by someone claiming to represent a company to which you did not submit a job application or profile. This scam can be perpetrated against any business and individuals who recognize and trust its name. For information on Abt recruitment practices and policies, please visit our careers page or email recruiting@abtglobal.com. To report a scam, visit: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.