Survey Design for TANF Caseload Project

Summary Report and Recommendations

Final Report

August 28, 2002

Prepared by:

Martha Kovac, Robin Dion, Jason Markesich, and Donna Pavetti
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Prepared for:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
Project Officer:
Susan Hauan

MPR Reference No.: 8805-003
Contract No.: HHS-100-97-0013

This report is available on the Internet at:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/TANF-Caseload-Studies01/survey-design03/

How to Obtain a Printed Copy

Contents

CHAPTERS

  1. INTRODUCTION
    1. OVERVIEW
    2. STUDY BACKGROUND
    3. PRIOR RESEARCH FOCUSING ON BARRIERS TO EMPLOYABILITY
    4. RATIONALE FOR THE CURRENT RESEARCH
    5. THE SURVEY INSTRUMENT REVIEW PROCESS
    6. OUTLINE FOR THE REST OF THE REPORT
  2. DEMOGRAPHIC AND BACKGROUND MEASURES
    1. AGE
      1. Rationale for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    2. RACE/ETHNICITY
      1. Rationale for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    3. MARITAL STATUS
      1. Rationale for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    4. EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
      1. Rationale for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    5. HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION (NUMBER AND AGE OF CHILDREN)
      1. Rationale for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    6. PREGNANCIES AND BIRTHS
      1. Rationale for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    7. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS AND FAMILY MOBILITY
      1. Rationale for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
  3. EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OUTCOME MEASURES
    1. EMPLOYMENT STATUS
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    2. REASONS NOT WORKING
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    3. PARTICIPATION IN WORK PROGRAMS AND JOB SKILLS TRAINING
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    4. JOB SEARCH PARTICIPATION
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    5. EARNINGS
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    6. INCOME
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    7. CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
  4. PERSONAL BARRIERS
    1. PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE OF WORKPLACE NORMS, BASIC JOB SKILLS, AND PERCEIVED DISCRIMINATION ON THE JOB
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    2. LEARNING DISABILITIES, LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY, AND ILLITERACY
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    3. PHYSICAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, LIMITATIONS, AND DISABILITIES
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    4. MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    5. ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE DEPENDENCY
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    6. PRIOR CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
  5. FAMILY BARRIERS
    1. FAMILY MEMBER WITH DISABILITY/HEALTH PROBLEM
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    2. CHILD CARE PROBLEM
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    3. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    4. FAMILY MEMBER WITH CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
  6. COMMUNITY BARRIER MEASURES
    1. TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    2. HIGH CRIME RATES
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    3. HOUSING PROBLEMS
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    4. INADEQUATE AVAILABILITY OF JOBS
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
    5. INADEQUATE AVAILABILITY OF SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
      1. Rational for Why the Topic Was Chosen
      2. Common Measures Used, Pros and Cons
      3. Recommended Measures
  7. SUMMARY

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

  1. TOPIC DOMAINS AND DETAILED MEASURES FOR SELECTED SURVEY INSTRUMENTS
  2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SELECTED SURVEY INSTRUMENTS

TABLES

I.1. LIST OF SURVEY INSTRUMENTS INITIALLY REVIEWED

II.1. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

III.1. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC OUTCOMES

IV.1. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PERSONAL BARRIERS

V.1. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FAMILY BARRIERS

VI.1. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMUNITY BARRIERS

VII.1. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROPOSED SURVEY OF TANF RECIPIENTS

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Last update:  08/14/03