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The Los Angeles Jobs-First Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) Program

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Jobs-First Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN), which operated in Los Angeles from 1995-1998, was a welfare-to-work program for all two-parent welfare recipients, and all single-parent welfare recipients whose children were at least three years old. The program served the largest county welfare population in the nation - a welfare population larger than that of all states except for New York and California. It was a mandatory program, in that participation was required as a condition for receiving full federal welfare benefits.

Goal / Mission

GAIN is part of a large-scale, welfare-to-work initiative program operating in every county in California. In L.A. County, the initiative is under the supervision of the Department of Public Social Services. It helps local businesses and employers find and hire quality workers who seek meaningful employment. Prospective workers are participants in the state welfare programs known as California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS) or General Relief Opportunities for Work (GROW).

Results / Accomplishments

In a random controlled study with a two year follow up, the following results were statistically significant (p<0.05) in the two-parent families entering the program vs a control group: 31% higher annual job earnings per person over the two-year period ($6,187 in annual earnings for the Jobs-First GAIN group vs. $4,721 for the control group), 28% more time employed per person over the two years (3.4 quarters employed for the JobsFirst GAIN group vs. 2.6 quarters employed for the control group), 12% lower welfare payments per person over the two years ($7,372 for the Jobs-First GAIN group vs. $8,394 for the control group), 13% lower annual food stamp payments per person over the two years ($2,967 for the Jobs-First GAIN group vs. $3,400 for the control group).

The following results were statistically significant (p<0.05) in the single-parent families entering the program vs a control group: 25% higher annual job earnings per person over the two-year period ($5,732 vs. $4,569), 23% more time employed per person over the two years (3.3 quarters employed vs. 2.7 quarters employed), 10% lower welfare payments per person over the two years ($6,505 vs. $7,200), 9% lower annual food stamps payments per person over the two years ($2,523 vs. $2,785).

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
County of Los Angeles
Primary Contact
Antonia Jimenez, Director
(877) 292-GAIN (4246)
https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/jobs/gain.html
Topics
Economy / Government Assistance
Community / Social Environment
Education
Organization(s)
County of Los Angeles
Date of publication
Nov 2017
For more details
Target Audience
Adults, Families
Impact DuPage