Effects of Coordination on JTPA Services to AFDC Recipients and An Analysis of Rural Coordination Issues

A Texas study examined the effects of coordination on Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) program services for Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) recipients, the REFOCUS-to-JTPA referral process, and rural program coordination issues. The impact of coordination on JTPA services to AFDC caretakers was determined by conducting a statistical analysis of differences in client characteristics, program characteristics, job placements, and postprogram employment outcomes between the baseline period and the coordination period. Findings indicated that the absolute number of all AFDC caretakers and Service Level II "look-alikes" served by JTPA programs increased. Generally, JTPA programs in REFOCUS pilot regions exhibited greater performance gains. Exploratory analysis of the REFOCUS-to-JTPA referral process revealed that approximately 21-33 percent of profiled Service Level II caretakers were referred to JTPA from the REFOCUS program; Service Level II caretakers constituted 79-96 percent of all REFOCUS referrals; and 25-38 percent of all REFOCUS referrals actually enrolled in a JTPA program. Opportunities unique to more rural areas were revealed: more intimate relationships, more hours of self-arranged child care, resource constraints, transportation, and lower levels of sector bias. Primary barriers included program design, limited employment opportunities, limited modes of transportation, and fewer child care centers.Texas Department of CommerceRay Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resource