Evidence-Based Employment Services: Common Indicators

This study was conducted in two phases:

• The first study (Phase I: 2011-2013) tested a new online data gathering tool titled PRIME (Performance Recording Instrument for Meaningful Evaluation) and demonstrated an ability to track common indicators across divergent settings and these “made sense” to all participating practitioners. It also began to uncover apparent predictors of positive employment outcomes including positive changes in learning and skill acquisition, changes in personal attributes and individual traits such as taking personal responsibility for progress. The first study provided a positive start toward addressing the core question: What kinds of interventions (programs/services) with what profiles of client characteristics and in what contexts are associated with what kinds of outcomes?
• The second study (Phase II: 2013-15) refined measures; made PRIME more efficient and easy to use; extended the client service period; examined many of the same relationships as Phase I; and added new areas of exploration, such as the types of interventions practitioners use with clients and testing of a self-help index.

Tools, resources and materials available from the project: