Public Policy Commons^™

Income Changes During The Recession For "Working Poor" Single Parents In Central City Milwaukee, Lois M. Quinn, John Pawasarat

ETI Publications

One of the most critical labor force problems facing Milwaukee’s “working poor” families is the lack of steady, good paying jobs available for single mothers raising children. This report provides an update on the income reported by Milwaukee County family tax filers (with dependents) and analyzes Wisconsin tax records for family filers’ 2011 income in 9 central city Milwaukee zipcodes compared with prior years before the recession. Census data on occupations of Milwaukee County single mothers with preschool and school age children are examined to help explain the low and intermittent earnings of many family heads. The Wisconsin earned income …

Readiness For Employment: Milwaukee Teens Without Driver's Licenses, John Pawasarat, Lois M. Quinn

ETI Publications

This report identified challenges facing Milwaukee youth in obtaining driver’s licenses. The State of Wisconsin has discontinued its support for driver’s education while requiring that school age youth participate in a school or commercial driving program as a condition for obtaining their license. Paying for a driving course and maintaining a working vehicle is a costly undertaking for many financially strapped families. Auto insurance rates are high for all teens but particularly for teens in central city Milwaukee zipcodes. Longstanding concerns have been expressed about police in suburban neighborhoods targeting minority drivers in older vehicles – adding further to residents’ …

Drivers License Status Report For Milwaukee County Presentation, Lois M. Quinn, John Pawasarat

ETI Publications

Presentation for the Center on Driver's License Recovery & Employability biennial meeting tracks changes in state suspension and revocation policies.

Drivers License Status Report For Milwaukee County, John Pawasarat, Lois M. Quinn

ETI Publications

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Employment and Training Institute reviewed the driving records of 629,222 Milwaukee County residents in the Department of Transportation files, including drivers with current licenses as of January 1, 2012 plus unlicensed residents who received suspensions and revocations from 2009 through 2011. This report details the driving status of county residents in order to identify problems in licensing, suspensions and revocations. Prior ETI reports have shown the driver license to be essential for getting and keeping employment and exceeding high school completion as a predictor of sustained employment.

Reintegrating And Employing High Risk Youth In Liberia: Lessons From A Randomized Evaluation Of A Landmine Action An Agricultural Training Program For Ex-Combatants, Christopher Blattman, Jeannie Annan

Global CWD Repository

Following the 2011 elections, one of the most pressing challenges for the President, government ministries and international organizations will be boosting youth incomes and employment, especially that of high-risk youth. What kinds of programs can boost employment and incomes and reduce the risk of social instability? This report details findings from an impact evaluation of a reintegration and agricultural livelihoods program for high-risk Libe-rian youth, and draws out lessons for employment policies in 2012 and beyond. This report builds on recent IPA studies of rural conflict resolution and civic education programs, and analysis of conflict trends and patterns in Liberia. …

Inner City Milwaukee Single Parents Continue Working During Recession, Earnings Remain Low, University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Employment & Training Institute

ETI Publications

As part of an ongoing research project, the Employment and Training Institute compared Wisconsin state income tax data for 2007 and 2009 for nine inner city Milwaukee ZIP codes, neighborhoods hard hit by the recession. In spite of the difficult economy, most inner city single Milwaukee parents remained in the workforce. The filing data showed only a 1% decline in earners in 2009 compared to two years earlier in spite of record high unemployment. A majority of the single parents earned less than $20,000 in 2009, and a fourth earned less than $10,000. The low earnings suggest workers with high …

Earned Income Tax Credits To 66,000 Employed Families In Milwaukee County During The Economic Recession, Lois M. Quinn, John Pawasarat

ETI Publications

An examination by the Employment and Training Institute of state earned income tax credits received by families in Milwaukee County based on their 2009 tax returns showed the usage of the credits by working families during the recession. Wisconsin Department of Revenue data are analyzed for tax filers with dependent children who received the Wisconsin earned income tax credit. This credit offers a refundable federal tax support to help reduce payroll and social security tax burdens and to supplement wages for low and moderate income employed families and single persons. Wisconsin is one of 23 states with an earned income …

Facing Up: Managing Diversity In Challenging Times, Carol Hardy-Fanta, Paige Ransford

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

Since its launch in 2008, Commonwealth Compact has grown steadily, employing several strategies to promote diversity statewide. The Benchmarks initiative has collected data, analyzed in this report, on a significant portion of the state workforce. Guided by Stephen Crosby, dean of the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at UMass Boston, Commonwealth Compact has conducted newsmaking surveys of public opinion and of boards of directors statewide. In addition, it has convened ongoing coalitions with its higher education partners, and established a collaborative of local business schools aimed specifically at increasing faculty diversity. The Compact has sponsored or co-sponsored …

Women In The Down Economy: Impacts Of The Recession And The Stimulus In Massachusetts, Randy Albelda, Christa Kelleher

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

The “Great Recession” is affecting everyone in one way or another, but not everyone is affected in the same way. Women’s and men’s work (both in and out of the labor force) still differs, so we can expect that the economic crisis has had a distinct impact on women as well as their families. This policy brief discusses how the down economy has differentially impacted women and men in Massachusetts and the gendered implications of federal stimulus spending. It also identifies potential opportunities to promote gender equality as the United States, and Massachusetts in particular, attempt to move beyond the …

Working Paper On Poverty And The Recession, Lois M. Quinn

ETI Publications

This working paper analyzes recently released estimates of poverty and economic conditions data from the U.S. Census Bureau 2009 American Community Survey. These data are used along with local and state administrative data files to help residents and public officials address concerns related to poverty, employment and education for residents of Milwaukee and the state. Poverty is a most serious statewide problem with 1 out of 8 Wisconsin residents living in poverty, according to the 2009 ACS. In Milwaukee 1 in 4 residents was living in poverty in the 12 months prior to the ACS survey. In Racine, Eau Claire …

Third Year Evaluation Of The Center For Driver's License Recovery And Employability, John Pawasarat, Lois M. Quinn

ETI Publications

The third year evaluation of the Center for Driver’s License Recovery and Employability was conducted by the Employment and Training Institute. The CDLRE is serving an increasingly difficult population -- with higher unemployment, more referrals from the courts and DOC, and with more legal problems. The CDLRE driver’s license recovery rates remained very high (i.e., 57% for the 3-year period). Over 5,000 Milwaukee County residents received assistance in 2007-2009 for case management or license recovery planning advice. The CDLRE continues to reach the hard-to-serve target populations, with 66% males, 92% minorities, and all low-income. More clients needed legal assistance in …

Stepping Up: Managing Diversity In Challenging Times, Carol Hardy-Fanta

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

Since its launch in 2008, Commonwealth Compact has grown steadily, employing several strategies to promote diversity statewide. The Benchmarks initiative has collected data, analyzed in this report, on a significant portion of the state workforce. Guided by Stephen Crosby, dean of the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at UMass Boston, Commonwealth Compact has conducted newsmaking surveys of public opinion and of boards of directors statewide. In addition, it has convened ongoing coalitions with its higher education partners, and established a collaborative of local business schools aimed specifically at increasing faculty diversity. The Compact has sponsored or co-sponsored …

Milwaukee Drilldown On African American Males, John Pawasarat

ETI Publications

The American Community Survey reported an estimated 48,420 African American males in the labor force from Milwaukee County in 2008. Of these, 40,482 (or 83.6%) were employed and 7,938 were unemployed and seeking for work. The 16.4% unemployment rate for African American males (ages 16 and above) is more than double the rates for white males (5.8%) and Hispanic males (8.1%), according to the 2008 ACS data. Among African American males, the employment rate was highest for men of prime working age (i.e., ages 25 thru 54) where 87.6% were employed in 2008. Unemployment rates were the worst for male …

Second Year Evaluation Of The Center For Driver's License Recovery & Employability, Lois M. Quinn, John Pawasarat

ETI Publications

The Center for Driver’s License Recovery & Employability (CDLRE) was established in March 2007 to increase the number of licensed drivers among low-income Milwaukee County residents. The CDLRE provides driver’s license recovery assistance to county residents aged 18 and above, with suspended and revoked driver’s licenses, income at 200% of poverty or below, and having no pending Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) offenses. This evaluation report examines driver’s license recovery rates for 862 participants who completed case management services in the first sixteen months. The employment outcomes are measured using First Quarter 2008 data for clients who completed their case management …

Tools For Inclusion: Disclosure Of Disability Information At A One-Stop Career Center: Tips And Guidelines, David Hoff

Tools for Inclusion Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

One-Stops Career Centers (One-Stops) were established under the federal Workforce Investment Act to provide a full range of job seeker assistance under one roof. One-Stops are located at a variety of locations in each state, with more than 3,200 centers across the country. More than 13 million people per year use the One-Stop system. Many of these are people with disabilities.

Institute Brief: Supporting Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Quality Employment Practices, Alan Kurtz, Melanie Jordan

The Institute Brief Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

It has been known for decades that individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including those with significant impairment or who have behaviors that others find challenging, can work when they are given appropriate supports. It is also clear that individuals with ASD can benefit from employment. Benefits include improved emotional state, greater financial gain, decreased anxiety, greater self-esteem, and greater independence. Nonetheless, employment outcomes for individuals with ASD have traditionally been poor. Even those who do find work are often underemployed or do not hold onto jobs for a long period of time.

Institute Brief: Effective Career Development Strategies For Young Artists With Disabilities, Heike Boeltzig, Rooshey Hasnain, Jennifer Sullivan Sulewski

The Institute Brief Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

One potential arena of employment for young people with disabilities is the arts. This brief reports on effective strategies that 47 young artists with disabilities used to gain access to arts-related experiences in order to further their educational and career pathways. Across program years 2002–2005, these young artists, all aged 16 to 25, were finalists in the VSA arts/ Volkswagen of America, Inc. Program, an arts competition that was intended to showcase their talents and accomplishments. As part of the overall evaluation, we were able to identify career development strategies based on a review of finalists’ program applications. This brief …

Data Note: Persons Served In Community Mental Health Programs And Employment, Frank A. Smith, Samita Bhattarai

Data Note Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

State Mental Health Agencies provide a wide range of supports to consumers including rehabilitation services, vocational and pre vocational training, and supported and competitive employment supports. This Data Note explores how states vary in number of individuals served in Community Mental Health Programs, i.e., all services not provided in an inpatient setting, who are employed as well as the percentage of individuals served in Community Mental Health Programs who are employed.

Data Note: Job Seekers With Disabilities At One-Stop Career Centers: An Overview Of Registration For Wagner-Peyser Funded Employment Services, David Hoff, Samita Bhattarai

Data Note Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

The Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933 established a nationwide system of public employment services, known as the Employment Service. Via the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, the Employment Service was made part of the One-Stop service delivery system. Wagner-Peyser funds are a primary source of funding for the core and other services of One–Stop Career Centers that provide employment services available to all people, including people with disabilities.

Data Note: Disability And Occupation, Frank A. Smith, David Clark

Data Note Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

It is well-documented that people with disabilities have a significantly lower rate of employment than people without disabilities (36% versus 74% according to the 2006 American Community Survey (ACS). Less is known about the types of work they do. Using the occupational classification system within the ACS, researchers explored the prevalence of people with disabilities within occupational groupings and discuss its relationship to occupational growth. Future analysis will address variation across disability groups.

Research To Practice: Trends And Emerging Issues Regarding Ssa/Vr Reimbursements For Ssi/Ssdi Recipients, John Halliday, Dana Scott Gilmore, Katherine Fichthorn

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

This brief discusses the declining amount of reimbursement paid to public VR agencies from federal fiscal year (FFY) 2002 to FFY 2005 by considering the impact that fewer claims submitted and a rising SGA level may have on the amount of reimbursement paid.

The Impact Of Australian Policy Regimes On Indigenous Population Movement: Evidence From The 2001 Census, John Taylor

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

No abstract provided.

Institute Brief: The 30-Day Placement Plan: A Road Map To Employment, Colleen Condon, Amy Gelb, Joy Gould

The Institute Brief Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

There are many steps to finding and getting the right job, and this process can be challenging. Many job seekers have found that breaking the job search down into a series of small, workable tasks makes the process much more manageable. It also gives the job seeker a sense of accomplishment when each task is completed. A 30-Day Placement Plan is one way to keep tasks in order.

Research To Practice: Employment Services And Outcomes Of People Receiving Welfare Benefits And Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Susan Foley, Jonathan Woodring

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Poverty programs have undergone substantial reform in the past decade, and there has been a heightened interest in exploring the experiences of people with disabilities who receive welfare benefits. This report profiles people with disabilities who had TANF, GA, or both at application to VR services and completed these services in the year 2003.

Slides: Forestry On The Yakama Reservation: The Balancing Of Natural Resources Management, Philip Rigdon

Community-Owned Forests: Possibilities, Experiences, and Lessons Learned (June 16-19)

Presenter: Philip Rigdon, Yakama Nation, Toppenish, WA

64 slides

Slides: Ecotrust Forests, Bettina Von Hagen

Community-Owned Forests: Possibilities, Experiences, and Lessons Learned (June 16-19)

Presenter: Bettina Von Hagen, Ecotrust Forests, OR

25 slides

Research To Practice: Job Networking In Diverse Communities, Rooshey Hasnain, Jennifer Bose, Joy Gould, John Butterworth

Research to Practice Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

While individuals with disabilities face many obstacles when seeking employment, there are usually additional challenges for those from diverse cultures. To address this issue, ICI formed partnerships with community immigrant organizations to teach networking techniques to job seekers.

The Challenge Of Economic Growth, Thomas D. Corrigan

WCBT Faculty Publications

In order to sustain Connecticut's competitive edge, state government must act as a catalyst in bringing forth the human and capital resources need to make sure that Connecticut's future labor force can successively acquire the skills demanded by the business sector. Looking beyond 2005, and in concert with a competitive tax and regulatory environment, the nurturing of the identified business clusters holds great promise for a renewal of economic vitality.

Tools For Inclusion: Getting The Most From The Public Vocational Rehabilitation System, Colleen Condon, Cecilia Gandolfo, Lora Brugnaro, Cindy Thomas, Pauline Donnelly

Tools for Inclusion Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

Every state has a vocational rehabilitation agency that is designed to help individuals with disabilities meet their employment goals. Vocational rehabilitation agencies assist individuals with disabilities to prepare for, get, keep, or regain employment. This publication answers questions frequently asked by individuals with disabilities. For consumers.

Institute Brief: Making Experiential Education Accessible For Students With Disabilities, Cynthia Zafft, Sara Sezun, Melanie Jordan

The Institute Brief Series, Institute for Community Inclusion

College students with disabilities enter with less work experience and have a harder time finding jobs than their nondisabled peers. Experiential education-- mentoring, internships, job shadowing, and so on-- can create a bridge to graduation and employment. However, that requires college professionals to consider access issues for all students. A new Institute Brief provides basic disability awareness information, suggests ways to create welcoming career offices, and offers ideas to increase access to experiential education.