In 2014, the Chief Evaluation Office (CEO) contracted with Mathematica Policy Research and ideas42 to explore the potential of using insights from behavioral science to improve outcomes in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) programs under the Advancing Behavioral Interventions in Labor Programs portfolio of studies. In this study, the DOL Behavioral Interventions (DOL-BI) team collaborated with the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), in a partnership that involved the W.E. Upjohn Institute and Michigan Works! Southwest, to assess whether a series of low-cost emails informed by behavioral science could encourage more Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants to schedule, attend, and complete their Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment (REA) program sessions.

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

Project Duration: 60 Months

Contract End Date: May 2017

Contractor: Mathematica and Ideas42

For More Information: ChiefEvaluationOffice@dol.gov

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.