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WorkFirst Job Search Services:
Preliminary Analysis
Steve Lerch, Ph.D.
Jim Mayfield
with
Mason Burley
June 1999
Prepared under contract for the
Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee

Washington State Institute for Public Policy
110 East Fifth Avenue, Suite 214
Post Office Box 40999

Olympia, Washington 98504-0999
Telephone: (360) 586-2677
FAX: (360) 586-2793
URL: http://www.wa.gov/wsipp
Document No. 99-06-3301

WASHINGTON STATE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY
Mission
The Washington Legislature created the Washington State Institute for Public Policy in 1983. A
Board of Directors\u2014representing the legislature, the governor, and public universities\u2014governs
the Institute, hires the director, and guides the development of all activities.

The Institute\u2019s mission is to carry out practical research, at legislative direction, on issues of
importance to Washington State. The Institute conducts research activities using its own policy
analysts, academic specialists from universities, and consultants. New activities grow out of

requests from the Washington legislature and executive branch agencies, often directed through
legislation. Institute staff work closely with legislators, as well as legislative, executive, and
state agency staff to define and conduct research on appropriate state public policy topics.
Current assignments include projects in welfare reform, criminal justice, education, youth
violence, and social services.
Board of Directors
Senator Karen Fraser
Lyle Quasim, Department of Social and Health Services
Senator Jeanine Long
Dick Thompson, Office of Financial Management
Senator Valoria Loveland
David Dauwalder, Central Washington University
Senator James West
Jane Jervis, The Evergreen State College
Representative Ida Ballasiotes
Marsha Landolt, University of Washington
Representative Jeff Gombosky
Thomas L. \u201cLes\u201d Purce, Washington State University
Representative Helen Sommers
Ken Conte, House Office of Program Research
Representative Steve Van Luven
Stan Pynch, Senate Committee Services
Staff
Roxanne Lieb, Director
Steve Aos, Associate Director
CONTENTS
I. EXECUTIVESUMMARY........................................................................................................1
II. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................3

A. Purpose.................................................................................................................... 3 B. WorkFirst Client Activities...................................................................................... 3 C. WorkFirst Employment and Welfare Outcome Measures and Definitions.......... 4 D. Outcomes Associated With WorkFirst Job Search............................................... 4

III. WORKFIRSTACTIVITIES.....................................................................................................7
A. Description of WorkFirst Activities........................................................................ 7
B. Clients Entering the WorkFirst Program................................................................ 8
Exhibit III.B.1: Clients Beginning WorkFirst by Quarter............................................ 9
C. Initial Activities of Clients Entering the WorkFirst Program................................ 9
Exhibit III.C.1: Initial Activities of Clients Change Over Time................................. 10
D. WorkFirst Activities in the First Program Year.................................................... 11
Exhibit III.D.1: WorkFirst Activities Change Over Time.......................................... 11
E. Associating Activities With Outcomes................................................................ 12
IV. THEIMPACT OFWORKFIRSTJOBSEARCH ONEMPLOYMENT ANDWELFAREOUTCOMES........13
A. Analysis Groups....................................................................................................13
B. Outcomes Associated With Job Search.............................................................. 14
Exhibit IV.B.1: The Job Search Group Has Higher Employment

Rates in Three of the Four Quarters............................................... 15 Exhibit IV.B.2: The Job Search Group Has Higher Average Earnings................... 16 Exhibit IV.B.3: The Job Search Group Has Lower Welfare Enrollment.................. 17

C. Impact of Other Factors on WorkFirst Clients..................................................... 18
D. Impacts Associated With Local Welfare Offices................................................. 19
Exhibit IV.D.1: Average Employment Rate by Community Service Office
Controlling for Job Search and Other Factors............................ 21-22
Exhibit IV.D.2: Average Earnings by Community Service Office
Controlling for Job Search and Other Factors............................ 23-24
Exhibit IV.D.3: Community Service Offices by Region........................................... 25
APPENDIX A: ANALYSISGROUPCHARACTERISTICS................................................................27
APPENDIX B: DATATABLES TOSUPPORTEXHIBITS................................................................29
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