About the Study

In 2015, the Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) partnered with the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and funded contractor 2M Research Services to conduct the Urban Employment for Youth and Young Adults Demonstration Grants Implementation Evaluation. The implementation study aims to document how the seven Urban Youth Employment Demonstration grantee communities implemented their programs, describe perceived challenges and successes, and identify emerging lessons. Researchers collected qualitative data through site visits (in 2016 and early 2017) and analyzed quantitative program data on enrollment and job placement.

In 2015, the Department of Labor awarded two-year grants to seven cities—Baltimore, MD; Camden, NJ; Detroit, MI; Houston, TX; Long Beach, CA; North Charleston, SC; and St. Louis, MO—to support projects addressing the workforce needs of disconnected youth and young adults, ages 16–29, in communities experiencing high rates of unemployment, crime, and poverty, and low high school graduation rates. Communities identified their own goals, strategies, and program models. No sites implemented the same program model, though many offered similar types of services.

This Department of Labor-funded study was a result of the annual process to determine the Department’s research priorities for the upcoming year. It contributes to the labor evidence-base to inform employment and training programs and policies and addresses Departmental strategic goals and priorities.

The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) sponsors independent evaluations and research, primarily conducted by external, third-party contractors in accordance with the Department of Labor Evaluation Policy and CEO’s research development process.