Abstracts Social Work

The evolution of employment and training programs for the homeless: an evaluation of a community outreach response to the one-stop career model

by Kerri Jo Steele

This study is a program evaluation of the Job TREC program, an employment program for homeless people in Athens, GA. This study is both summative and formative as the results will be used to both evaluate the program’s success and modify program services. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Job TREC at increasing successful client employment and decreasing barriers to housing. Three research questions helped determine the efficacy of the program. The questions related to the characteristics of Job TREC participants, the supportive services associated with successful employment, and the impact of the program on housing status of client and former clients. Quantitative data gathered from a secondary source was used to evaluate the program. There were three hundred participants in the sample. Based on the data obtained, there was no relationship between any of the supportive services offered by Job TREC and successful participant employment. There are statistically significant relationships between some of the supportive services, themselves. The findings also show that on average, participants improved their housing status between enrollment and discharge. Recent changes in the Job TREC program address some concerns raised over the course of this study. Further data must be gathered to study accurately the relationship between supportive services and successful employment. Future research is needed to determine what factors beyond supportive services are associated with successful employment in the Job TREC program.