WRI Past Projects . . .

Employment and Training

Assistance to the Department of Economic Development's Skills Training Program — Through this program New York State made funds available for the provision of training designed specifically to create or preserve jobs. Half of the funds were earmarked to serve small businesses and/or people in particular categories of need. In 1989, WRI assisted in the program's implementation by developing informational and application materials for businesses and training entities interested in obtaining these funds.

Assistance to the Economic Development Zones Program — The Economic Development Zones (EDZ) Program provides a broad array of tax reductions and other incentives to encourage the location or expansion of businesses in depressed areas. In 1990, WRI contracted with the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), which was administering EDZ with the Department of Economic Development, to help potentially eligible communities engage in the program of economic revitalization. Activities included the development of outreach, application, and evaluation materials, a general information brochure, and marketing brochures for businesses.

Comparative Study of the General Assistance Caseloads of the Cities of Bridgeport and Hartford — WRI, in concert with Quality Management Associates, conducted this study in 1995 to determine reasons for the disproportionate size of Hartford's General Assistance (GA) caseload in comparison to other Connecticut cities. Bridgeport served as the comparison city. Research included observation of operations at the two cities GA offices; more than 30 interviews; and review of 100 statistical and other reports and related materials. The study, initiated by the City of Hartford, the General Assembly, and the Connecticut Department of Social Services, was prepared for the Office of Legislative Management, State of Connecticut.

Evaluation of Employment Services Programs for Refugees — Both federal and state programs serving refugees have increasingly emphasized the use of employment-related services. In 1989, under contract to the New York State Department of Social Services, WRI evaluated three such program models targeted to refugees: Employment Support Programs (ESP), which provide services to promote refugee employment, particularly to individuals on public assistance; Youth Employment Services (YES), which target refugees between the ages of 16 and 21; and Refugee Women Share in Self-Sufficiency (SHARE), which targets women's employment needs, including cultural barriers to employment.

Evaluation of the School Construction Authority’s Summer Internship Program — The School Construction Authority’s Summer Internship Program provides New York City high school students (juniors and seniors) the opportunity to work in construction industry jobs over a six-week period; the program consists, each week, of four days of on-site work experience and one school-based education day. WRI's evaluation of the program included an analysis of available descriptive materials; data collection and analyses from two student interview questionnaires completed by student interns; questionnaire data from the student counselors who directly interact with the students; and interviews with key individuals participating in the oversight of the program, including some employers. WRI evaluated the 1992, 1993, and 1994 programs.

Material on the Office of the Future Program — In 1992, WRI produced three reports regarding the Office of the Future program conducted by New York City's Private Industry Council. This skills training program for clerical workers assists the disadvantaged while fostering economic development. WRI wrote an executive summary which succinctly describes the program and its results, an evaluation report, and a replication report for others who wish to develop a similar model.

Nutrition Education Multi-Media Campaign — As the statewide contractor for Governor Cuomo's Nutrition Education Campaign for six years in the 1980’s, WRI coordinated a multi-media effort (radio, television, newspapers, transit posters, and educational materials) to promote sound nutrition among low-income households and to increase awareness of federally funded nutrition programs—Food Stamps, WIC, the Child Nutrition Program (school lunch and breakfast), and Senior Citizens Meals. Materials were available in English and Spanish as well as additional languages including Chinese, Afghan and Russian.

WRI also conducted a review of exemplary local social service district practices, as identified by the State Department of Social Services, to document education and outreach activities that are thought to be most effective in reaching non-participating individuals, and shared those approaches with other local social services districts.

Program Analysis for the Consortium for Worker Education — In 1998, WRI completed its analysis of the first year of activity of a newly-created child care/employment program, the "Satellite Day Care Program." In 1997, the New York State Legislature passed a bill supporting Satellite Child Care, an innovative child care program specifically designed to support New York City’s welfare reform initiatives. The Consortium for Worker Education (CWE) received funding to implement the model. Primary goals of the program are (1) to provide and expand employment and career opportunities for TANF recipients and other low-income people; and (2) to provide and increase high quality child care in areas of the city where it is most needed. In the satellite child care model, child care services are provided by individuals who are trained to offer child care services from their own ("satellite") home, linked to an existing center-based child care agency. CWE, with the help of the New York City Human Resources Administration, developed the program in collaboration with many partners, including state and city public agencies and nonprofit voluntary agencies.

Recruitment, Retention, and Training of Health Care Workers — In 1992, WRI analyzed fiscal and organizational issues surrounding the role of Nurse Referrals, Inc. in relation to the Health and Hospitals Corporation and the Licensed Home Health Agency. The resulting report described recent developments regarding the nurse workforce in New York City and made recommendations from a fiscal and non-fiscal point of view.