Survey Design for TANF Caseload Project
Summary Report and Recommendations

APPENDIX A:
TOPICS AND DETAILED MEASURES FOR SELECTED SURVEY INSTRUMENTS

Main Page of Report | Contents of Report

Contents

1. Demographics Characteristics
2. Employment and Economic Outcomes
3. Personal Barriers
4. Family Barriers
5. Community Barriers

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EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OUTCOMES

		Survey instruments
Recom. Items	Topic/Items	WES	NSAF	SPD	MO	NE	Alameda	Illinois	HCC	Iowa CI	CalWks	YFC Com
	Employment History
*	work in the last 12 months		X	X		X	X		X		X
*	months/weeks employed during last 12 months		X			X
	how many hrs usually worked p/wk last yr		X	X					X
*	# different jobs in last 12 months					X
	Current Job / Main Job / Most recent Job
	sm (or spouse) currently working	X	X		X	X			X			X
*	no. of current jobs	X			X	X
*	total hrs per week (all jobs)	X	X		X	X	X	X				X
*	job start date/length of employment	X	X		X	X	X	X				X
*	hrs per week - current, main or most recent job	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
*	seasonal/temporary	X		X		X		X
*	shift information	X				X		X
	union membership	X					X
	employed by self, gov., or private employer	X	X	X					X			X
*	industry/type of company	X	X	X		X	X	X				X
*	occupation	X	X	X		X	X	X				X
	how long for new person to do your job?	X
	no. of employees at company		X	X
*	hourly rate of pay		X			X		X				X
	sm offered bonuses					X		X
*	weekly / monthly earnings	X	X	X	X	X	X	X				X
*	types of benefits offered	X	X	X	X	X						X
	expectations for working at job 6 mo/1 yr/2 yrs from now	X
*	opportunity for advancement					X
*	reasons SM left job					X	X	X
	Reasons Not Currently Working/Never worked
*	Main Reasons (multiple)	X				X	X
	Main Reason (single)		X	X				X
	Has worked in exchange for goods/services (no $$)					X
*	lowest hourly wage acceptable for taking a job	X
	List of reasons why sm can't find/keep a job (because…
	it's discouraging to sm						X
	someone makes sm feel guilty				X		X
	someone refused to help sm						X
	sm can't attend classes						X
	sm harassed at work						X
	someone caused sm to lose a job						X
	list of job types/would sm take that job now if offered	X
*	perceived hiring discrimination (race, sex, welfare)	X									X
	Reasons not Working Prior Month
	couldn't afford / arrange child care				X						X
	child was ill / disabled				X
	sm currently ill / disabled				X							X
	working does not pay sm enough $				X
	sm feels depressed / overwhelmed				X
	sm getting financial support f/ husband / partner				X
	sm in school / training				X
	sm does not want to work				X
	sm cannot find work				X
	no jobs available in local area				X
	sm not qualified for jobs				X
	sm has transportation problems				X
	sm has drinking problem				X
	sm pregnant				X
	sm retired				X
	Participation in Work/Job Skills Training
*	attend/received help find / pay for a GED Class last yr	X			X	X	X	X
*	attend/received help find / pay other ed. Training last yr	X			X	X
	sm receive help with resumes / applications last yr					X
	sm receive help with proper dress, behavior last yr					X
	sm receive help with on-the-job training last yr				X	X
	sm participate in other ed / train programs last yr	X			X	X	X					X
	sm participate in unpaid job			X	X		X
	sm participate in life skills / job readiness classes				X		X
	sm take courses that trained for specific jobs	X	X		X		X
	sm receive training to improve job skills / learn new job			X			X
	# different schools / training programs attended							X				X
	why stopped attending program?	X						X
	hours per week attending	X			X		X	X				X
	describe skills you are learning	X										X
	sm complete program?							X
	sm find job as result of attending program?						X	X
	type of school or training sm attended						X	X				X
	sm required to participate in activities			X
	sm do community work / unpaid wk as part of job train			X			X
	Utilization of Job Search/Basic Work Orientation Services
	sm currently in job search activity						X
*	attend job search in past 12 mos (sm and/or spouse)	X	X			X
*	helped/did sm get job thru this source?	X				X
	receive any help from job search or placement			X
	sm required to participate in job search			X
	how helpful were programs in… teaching skills,	X
	feeling better about yourself	X
	Were programs… frustrating….	X
	or make it difficult to get things done during day	X
	sm looked for wk during past 30 days	X					X
	when last looked for work / how long ago	X
	no. of employers contacted	X
	no. of applications filled out	X
	no. of interviews sm had	X
	how many wks sm looking for work	X					X
	no. of hours p/week looking for work	X
	was sm offered a job	X
	why did sm turn down job offer	X
	list of methods used by sm to find a job	X
	Earnings
*	SM's earnings (last month/week)	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
	Other HH members earnings, last month	X	X		X		X	X
	Income
*	SM's income last month/ year	X	X	X		X	X		X
*	income from other adults, [last month / yr]	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
*	total household income	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
	receipt / amount of AFDC [last month / yr]	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
	receipt / amount of Food Stamps [last month / yr]	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X			X
	receipt / amount of WIC [last month / yr]	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
	receipt / amount of child support [last month / yr]	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
	receipt / amount of Unemployment Ins. [Last mon / yr]	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
	receipt / amount of SSI / SS [last month / yr]	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X			X
	receipt / amount of foster child payments last month	X		X	X		X
	receipt / amount of $ from other HH members last month	X					X	X	X
	receipt / amount of $ from family friends [last mon / yr]	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
	receipt / amount from other sources [last mon / yr]	X	X	X		X	X	X
*	rating of difficulty living on HH income right now?	X				X
	list of activities to make money - did any in past 6mos	X
	perceived hardship for HH in next 2 mos	X
	Child Support Payments
*	Did SM/other HH adults receive CS? Amount?	X	X	X	X	X	X	X		X
*	Did sm make CS payments to Non-HH kids under 18		X				X
	were CS payments part of court order		X	X	X					X
	how much CS did SM contribute in past 12 mos		X				X

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PERSONAL BARRIERS

		Survey instruments
Recom. Items	Topic/Items	WES	NSAF	SPD	MO	NE	Alameda	Illinois	HCC	Iowa CI	CalWks	YFC Com
	Low Prior Labor Force Participation
*	ever worked for pay	X				X		X		X
*	when did sm last work for pay				X			X			X
*	how much time/years employed since age 18	X				X
	Lack of Work Orientation Skills (Dress, attendance)
*	list of failed work skills and perceived seriousness	X
	whether received training in dress/job behavior, etc					X
	Few Job Skills
*	list of job skills that SM has ever done	X									X
	Perceived Discrimination on the Job
*	discrim. because of gender or race/ethnicity (series)	X									X
*	sexual harassment	X
	Learning Problems
*	screener for dyslexia; dyscalcula - scale	X				X
	sm was in special education program in school			X		X
	sm has learning disability						X
*	sm mentally retarded						X
*	sm has ADD						X
	list of different types of learning problems						X				X
	Limited English Fluency
*	difficulty speaking / reading / writing English
	because not SM's native language					X
	what is SM's native language (if o/than English)
	comfort level w/speaking, writing and reading English						X
	Illiteracy
	does HH have a library card/ how often used	X								X
	how many newspapers/magazines does HH get	X								X
	does SM have trouble reading books/newspaper/mag	X								X
	how often does SM read to him/herself	X								X
	Physical Health Problems and Disabilities
*	current health status	X	X	X		X	X		X	X	X
*	chronicity of condition			X			X		X
*	physical disability			X					X
	functional limitations		X	X			X		X		X
*	sm has no health insurance	X			X	X		X	X
	Mental Health Conditions
*	Depression - scale	X	X	X		X	X		X	X	X
*	Generalized Anxiety Disorder - scale	X					X		X		X
*	Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - scale	X									X
	Phobias - scale	X					X				X
	Alcohol and Substance Abuse/Dependency
*	Alcohol Use/Dependency - scale	X		X		X	X		X		X
*	Drug Use/Dependency - scale	X		X		X	X		X		X
	Criminal Involvement
*	SM has past criminal record (makes it hard to get job)					X
*	convicted of felony since age 18						X

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FAMILY BARRIERS

		Survey instruments
Recom. Items	Topic/Items	WES	NSAF	SPD	MO	NE	Alameda	Illinois	HCC	Iowa CI	CalWks	YFC Com
	Family Member with Disability/Health Problem
*	SM has child w/ health/behavioral/other needs	X		X		X		X			X
*	SM has other fam mem w/ disability/other needs					X
*	children have no health insurance	X			X	X		X		X
	Problem with Child Care
	SM concerned about…
	provider being too far away	X				X
*	child care too costly	X				X
	can't find child care when needed/during work hrs	X				X	X
*	quality of available childcare	X
*	childcare not dependable	X
	no relatives who could help out w/childcare	X
*	afraid caretaker would harm child	X
	sm skip wk / training b/c worried about childs safety						X
	# days in past mon. sm missed wk to take care of child						X
	Due to problem w/childcare:
*	unable to look for work/training program	X									X
*	unable to take job/participate in training	X			X		X	X			X
*	was late for work/school/training	X
*	was absent from work/school/training	X
*	had to quit job or training activity	X			X	X	X				X
							X
	no. of different current childcare arrangements	X								X
	satisfaction with current childcare arrangement	X
	sm docked pay b/c she lacked child care				X
	how difficult was it to arrange childcare	X									X
	how much do you pay for childcare	X				X	X			X
	do you swap services w/others for childcare	X
	what is the quality of child care you use						X				X
	did child have an accident, injury, poisoning in ch care						X			X
	was any child under 12 in self-care						X
	how big of a problem are child care issues in terms of working or going to school/training					X
	receive child care subsidy					X
	ease or problems getting child care subsidy					X
	need for child care						X
	types of child care used						X
	number of hours per week child care used						X
	receive any child care that is unpaid						X
	following cc situations prevent sm from looking for work:
*	getting care for infants				X
*	getting care for sick kids				X
*	getting care for disabled kids				X
*	getting care for kids after school				X
*	getting care during breaks / summer				X
*	getting care for kids in early mornings				X
	is childcare a barrier to getting a job?				X
	Domestic Violence
*	physical abuse	X				X	X			X	X
*	sexual abuse	X				X	X			X	X
*	serious threats	X				X				X	X
*	abusive control					X				X	X
*	emotional abuse or verbal humiliation					X				X	X
*	stalking										X
*	interference with work	X
*	who committed abuse (partner v. stranger)	X				X	X			X
	Family Member w/ Criminal Involvement
	family member or close friend in jail in past 12 mos	X
	someone close to sm died or was killed	X
	sm lived with someone with an alcohol or drug problem	X
	sm lived with people who she wished didn't live there	X

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COMMUNITY BARRIERS

		Survey instruments
Recom. Items	Topic/Items	WES	NSAF	SPD	MO	NE	Alameda	Illinois	HCC	Iowa CI	CalWks	YFC Com
	Transportation Problems
*	How SM gets to job, etc	X			X	X	X	X
*	Minutes to get to work, etc. (one way)	X		X		X	X	X
*	SM has valid drivers license	X			X	X	X	X			X
*	SM owns / has access to car	X		X	X	X	X	X
*	Did sm car break down last month							X
	community offers shuttle / van service?					X
*	trans. Issues prevent sm from working?				X	X		X
	trans issues prevent sm from attending ed. activities?				X	X
	sm docked pay b/c sm lacked transportation				X
	sm lost / quit job b/c lack of transportation				X						X
	public trans. A reasonable way to get to work?				X
	public trans. A barrier to getting a job?				X
	availability of public transportation	X
*	Could you get to work via public trans if needed?
*	How long would it take you (via public trans.)
	agree/disagr: there is good pub. trans in neighborhood							X				X
	High Crime Rates
	problems in neighborhood with…	X
	police not coming or taking a long time when called	X										X
	groups of youth hanging out in public	X								X
	vandalism	X								X
	prostitution	X
	sexual assaults/rapes	X
	muggings	X
	gangs	X
*	drug use or dealing in the open	X						X				X
*	unemployment	X						X				X
*	Run down buildings and yards							X		X		X
*	crime, assaults,burgleries							X				X
	would sm move from neighborhood if could	X
	perception of neighborhood safety	X
	had any serious problems w/neighbors in past yr	X
*	sm afraid to walk alone in 8 block vicinity							X				X
*	sm feel safe at home at night							X				X
*	sm feel neighborhood is safe for kids to play in							X				X
	Housing Problems/Lack of Affordable Housing
*	availability of affordable housing	X
*	been homeless during past year	X
	no. of days/weeks sm was homeless	X
*	been evicted in past year	X					X
	had gas/electricity turned off b/c couldn't pay bill	X					X
	had phone service turned off b/c couldn't pay bill	X			X		X
	sought/received help from community agencies past yr	X
	food security question (one out of the scale)	X	X	X			X	X
	received help paying rent				X
	Inadequate Job Availability
	not working b/cause no jobs available in local area				X
	People in neighborhood have to travel long way to work											X
	High unemployment							X				X
	Inadequate Availability of Services
	are services available/did you use them in past yr…
	community family health service	X										X
	bank or credit union	X
	organized summer recreational program	X										X
	community daycare or after-school program	X
	literacy, GED, or tutoring program	X										X
	an employment office	X
	are services available in your community…
	career or job counseling											X
	couseling or treatment for alcohol or drug abuse											X
	counseling to help w/other personal or family problems											X
	health clinics/places for emergency health care											X
	are services available in your community…
	birth control / family planning services											X
	referrals or help finding needed assistance											X
	help preparing for a GED											X
	place to improve reading, math or other subject skills											X
	recreational activity place for teenagers/young adults											X
	place like big brother/big sister program											X
	have you needed any… did you know where to go for…						X
	have you received… where did you get help for…						X
	assistance with physical health						X
	prenatal care						X
	help w/emotional or mental health						X
	help w/alcohol or drug problems						X
	help w/physical violence in your home						X
	assistance w/managing money						X
	help getting and keeping a job						X
	child care (sitters) for your children		X				X
	assistance paying utility bills						X
	help finding housing						X
	assistance paying the rent						X
	low-cost attorney services						X
	help arranging transportation						X
	free/inexpenvise clothing for your children						X
	free/inexpenvise clothing for yourself						X
	free/inexpensive cold weather clothing/raincoats for all						X
	free or reduced price meals for kids at school/Head Start		X				X
	free/inexpensive goods (pots, pans, cleaning devices)						X
	other assistance						X

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