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Fighting Poverty One Family at a Time: Experimental Evidence from an Intervention with Holistic, Individualized, Wrap-Around Services
Fighting Poverty One Family at a Time: Experimental Evidence from an Intervention with Holistic, Individualized, Wrap-Around Services
William N. Evans
Shawna Kolka
James X. Sullivan
Patrick S. Turner
American Economic Journal: Economic Policy (Forthcoming)
Abstract
Families in poverty face numerous barriers to establishing stable economic footing. This paper estimates
experimental effects of a holistic, individualized wrap-around service intervention for low-income
individuals. The intervention includes a detailed assessment, an individualized service plan, intensive
case management administered by a two-person team with small caseloads, and strategic financial assistance.
The program improved employment and housing outcomes two years after enrollment. Given
the customized nature of the services, overall program effects mask heterogeneity. Exploratory analysis
suggests the program helped employ participants who lacked employment but had stable housing, and
that those without stable housing were helped in securing it.
