This report describes plans for a multi-part evaluation of 42 Pathway Home grants, which provide employment-focused reentry services for individuals in state correctional facilities and local jails. Since July 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded approximately $113 million to two cohorts of Pathway Home grantees, whose planned interventions include linked pre- and post-release services. Pre-release services include, for example, case management, an individual development plan, and job readiness training, while post-release services include occupational training, pre-apprenticeships or apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and support in obtaining housing or emergency shelter, health or mental health care, legal assistance, mentoring, and transportation assistance.

The report includes a conceptual framework for the evaluation, which was informed by a literature review, consultations with an advisory group and other partners, and a review of grant documents. Three evaluation designs, and their research questions, data sources, methods, and reporting plans, are presented covering 1) implementation of the 20 Cohort 1 grants during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020 –December 2021); 2) the start-up and early implementation of the 22 Cohort 2 grants (June 2021 – July 2022); and 3) in-depth implementation of the Cohort 2 grants (August 2022 – December 2023). The evaluation of the Cohort 1 grants (during the COVID-19 pandemic) will focus on how the grantees adjusted to the pandemic in their planning and operations, and what can be learned from their experiences. The initial implementation study of the Cohort 2 grants will cover the planning for outreach, recruitment, enrollment, data tracking and reporting, and coordinated pre- and post-release services. The in-depth study of the Cohort 2 grants will examine service delivery over the entire grant period, including how grantees enrolled and served participants; provided employment, training, and support services; conducted follow-up services; and made plans for service sustainability after the grants end.

The report also provides an overview of initial design considerations for the impact study of the Pathway Home Cohort 2 grants, including options for a randomized controlled trial or quasi-experimental design, though the final impact evaluation design will be described in detail in a future report.