Wraparound Services for Young People in Poverty: Taking a Look at CCMEP with New Program Data

By: Brie Lusheck, for The Center for Community Solutions

The Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program (CCMEP) began in July 2016 and is targeted to reach one of Ohio’s most vulnerable populations – youth and young adults in poverty. The program combines funding from the Workforce Investment and Opportunities Act (WIOA) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to provide wraparound services to positively change work outcomes for those 14 to 24 years old. The initial program was designed for young people ages 16 to 24, but the most recent state budget extended the starting age of program participants to 14. By evaluating individuals and their needs in a holistic way, the unique funding streams combined through CCMEP allow staff to focus on a targeted approach to meet the needs of the individuals they serve -- working to end the cycle of poverty many of these young people face.

By evaluating individuals and their needs in a holistic way, the unique funding streams combined through CCMEP allow staff to focus on a targeted approach to meet the needs of the individuals they serve -- working to end the cycle of poverty many of these young people face.

In October 2016, The Center for Community Solutions outlined CCMEP in detail. Almost a year and a half later, we now have data to evaluate the first quarter of the program, and to look at ways the program can be further improved to reach more individuals with significant barriers to employment.  

First quarter data is composed of information from July 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017, while second quarter data includes information from July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017. It is important to note that the second quarter report combines data from the first two quarters of the program and does not isolate data from the second quarter alone.  

The metrics and goals for the program are outlined in detail in the ‘CCMEP Performance Report: First Quarter Program Year 2017’ and ‘CCMEP Performance Report: Second Quarter Program Year 2017.’ These reports provide a compilation of program data, and lay the ground work for future data. Statewide standards are continually created using data that will be continually established, as the program is in its early phases of development. CCMEP tracks seven different performance measures referenced in the below graphic.  

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Performance standards are identified as “exceeds,” “meets” and “fails.”^[1] To “exceed” is to achieve 105 percent of the performance standard for the measure. When a county receives a “meets” assessment, its performance falls between 80 to 105 percent of the performance standard for the measure. “Fails” categorizes a county that’s performance measure is less than 80 percent of the performance standard.  

At this time, only one of the seven metrics is measured and reported at the state level, “Education, training or employment 2nd quarter after exit.” What the reports tell us:

• The remaining six metrics show baseline data that is established and will be reported statewide in the future. However, many counties were able to report data on four of the seven metrics, some of which are detailed below.
• The “Education, training, or employment 2nd quarter after exit” measure details the percentage of program participants who are in unsubsidized employment, education or training activities during the second quarter after exit. That metric exceeds the statewide standard of 49 percent, by achieving a rate of 67.5 percent in the first quarter. In the second quarter, that metric was maintained, however, with the statewide rate slightly dropping to 65.7 percent.
• First and second quarter participation came in significantly lower than early program projections, at 29,500. However, initial projections were made prior to WIOA and TANF Youth Employment policy changes in addition to preliminary program duplication in the population estimates.^[2]
• In the first quarter, a total of 14,206 participants were served statewide. More than a fifth of those participants exited, yielding an exit rate of 18.4 percent. Nearly 12 percent of participants used a combination of TANF and WIOA funds, almost two thirds utilized TANF specific funds and more than a quarter utilized WIOA specific funds. Of the individuals receiving TANF benefits, 26.4 percent were OWF Work ^[3] eligible, 4 percent were Ohio Works First (OWF) volunteers and 27.9 percent were Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) volunteers.^[4]
• The second quarter saw the number of participants increase by more than 11 percent, to a total of 15,782 participants served. The exit rate increased to 20.3 percent, after 3,203 participants exited the program, 592 more than had exited as of September 30, 2017. Program funding in the second quarter mirrored funding in the first quarter, 60.1 percent of participants were funded by TANF alone, 26.6 percent of participants received WIOA specific funds, while 13.2 percent of participants received a combination of the two programs.

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REMAINING QUESTIONS  

Something we have heard from counties is the potential benefit of adding additional measurable outcomes and performance. Though markers like employment, receiving social security and military service already exist, additional achievements like obtaining housing, receiving treatment for a mental health condition or completing so many days of classes without an absence are rather significant accomplishments for the CCMEP population. The work counties do to help participants attain these milestones should be acknowledged and reflected in the data.

The data cited in this report shows the limitations and barriers that different areas may face.

The data cited in this report shows the limitations and barriers that different areas may face. Without information on recruitment practices, one can only speculate why some areas in the state may struggle with barriers specific to the criminal justice system, while others cite struggles in the balance between employment and parenting. Location can also highlight transportation barriers that are reflected in statewide data and in many counties, adding to the growing need for better funded public transportation.  

Data particular to the exit of an individual can show us who is exiting the program and for what reasons they may be exiting. Information that answers those specific questions can highlight additional community needs specific to the barriers participants may face. This information is not available in the reports provided by ODJFS. Below is a comparison of the total participants in CCMEP versus the participants who were exited from the program.  

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CONCLUSION  

It is important to continue to closely monitor and evaluate the roll out of CCMEP. Specifically, the questions that remain around how the state exports data from the counties to create the numbers cited in this blog. Administering a new program can only come with expected hurdles and bumps in the first few years, but knowing the data specific to different areas in the state can highlight successful models and show where more resources are needed. Understanding the program limitations and successes at an early stage can assist in creating the best outcome for a population that needs investment from the resources this program offers. Knowing why individuals are exiting, and adding additional resources in the areas that can be improved, can assist with the program’s evolution. At Community Solutions, we will continue to monitor CCMEP as new data emerges and program changes are made.  

[1] Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio’s Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program Performance Report: First Quarter Program Year 2017. Accessed February 2018. http://jfs.ohio.gov/owd/WIOA/Performance/CCMEP-PY17-Q1-Perf-Rpt.stm  

[2] Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, personal communication, March 23, 2018  

[3] TANF is a federal program that provides block grants to states to provide cash assistance to low-income families with children, with additional matching funds contributed by the state. Ohio’s TANF cash assistance program is Ohio Works First (OWF).  

[4] Ohio’s TANF Prevention Retention and Contingency (PRC) fund assists families who qualify for assistance under the four TANF purposes. PRC funds assist in preventing families from going on cash assistance, assistance families in keeping employment and meet immediate needs of families in a time of financial crisis.