SRG has conducted, and continues to conduct evaluations of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program in Ohio: (1) a Process Evaluation, (2) two Outcome Evaluations, and 3) an Impact Evaluation/Follow-up Study.

The Process Evaluation examined the way the WIA program in Ohio functions and identified potential barriers to program success in terms of program implementation, management strategies or program costs.

Services consisted of:

•  statewide interviews of directors of county workforce development programs,

•  customer satisfaction interviews of participants in workforce development programs and employers who have received services from county JFS Labor Exchange,

•  case studies of 20 JFS WIA offices across the state,

•  data processing and management including evaluation of communication with the state staff, provision of services, and participant outcomes, and

• Executive Summary, detailed report of findings and strategic recommendations.

SRG is currently conducting the second Outcome Evaluation of the WIA program for ODJFS.   These Outcome Evaluations examine results or changes due to WIA program participation. The findings aided ODJFS in setting performance standards and measurements for program success.

Services consist of:

•  reconfiguring and merging statewide databases including economic indicators, wage data, and occupational data with participant characteristics and employment outcome data from participants in Ohio's workforce development programs.

•  statistical analysis to identify items that are most likely to result in positive employment outcomes, and

•  Executive Summary, detailed report of findings and strategic recommendations.

Finally, the current Impact Evaluation/Follow-up Study examines the long-term impact the WIA program has had on former participants 12-18 months after exiting the program. Of particular interest is the degree to which program participation results in measurable improvements to individuals, families, and communities overall.

Services consist of:

• questionnaire development,
• telephone interviews will former WIA program participants,
• data processing and management,
• data analysis, including longitudinal analysis, and

• Executive Summary, detailed report of findings and strategic recommendations.