Research by Author & Topic

Publications by Caroline Ratcliffe on Employment

The Minnesota Integrated Services Projects focus on improving the delivery of employment, health, and social services to families who receive cash assistance and have serious or multiple barriers to employment. Operating in eight sites, the project seeks to provide comprehensive assessments of participants' barriers, improve access to more complete services that address multiple needs, and coordinate services provided by multiple service systems. This is the final report in an evaluation of the project and describes the changes in the economic outcomes and family-related outcomes of ISP participants over a two-year period, provides estimates of the relationship between ISP participation and participants' employment and MFIP outcomes, and provides conclusions and policy recommendations.

The Census Bureau released its annual report on income, poverty, and health insurance coverage for the U.S. population on August 26, 2008. According to the report, median household income increased by 1.3 percent in 2007, while the overall poverty rate dipped slightly and the number and percentage of people without health insurance decreased. While the overall numbers were positive, not everyone shared in the economic gains. The number and percentage of children in poverty increased, and households in the lowest 40 percent of the income distribution had no significant income gains.

This study examines whether small minority- and women-owned enterprises (MWEs) use computers less than white-male-owned enterprises and whether higher levels of computer use increase productivity. We use data from a new telephone survey of roughly 1,100 firms and 45 in-depth interviews with business owners. The results suggest that: (1) Small MWEs show no tendency to use computers less than small firms owned by white men; and (2) Using computers for more business functions and/or more intensively for these business functions can raise the productivity and profitability of small MWEs.

This study was conducted by The Urban Institute over a six-month period from mid-May to mid-November 2003 and was commissioned by the Virginia Workforce Council (VWC). This study provides the VWC with information to help them make important incumbent worker policy decisions over the next several years. This study analyzes the current and changing characteristics of Virginia's workforce, examines trends in workforce demand in future years, reviews policies, approaches, and strategies for integrating emerging and diverse groups into the workforce, and recommends public and private sector policies and strategies that might be appropriate for Virginia in the coming decades.

This study uses SIPP data to describe the employment characteristics of working food stamp recipients and estimate the effect of these employment characteristics on Food Stamp Program (FSP) participation. We find that work schedule (i.e., working traditional daytime versus non-traditional hours), number of jobs, number of hours worked, and number of employer changes are all significantly related to FSP participation. Our findings suggest that the cost of FSP participation may lead to reduced participation in the FSP and that federal and state efforts to reduce the cost of participating in FSP may increase FSP participation of low-income working households.

Despite the significant flow of single mothers into the job market as a result of welfare reform between 1996 and 1998, this report of 20 metropolitan areas indicates that labor markets were able to absorb these new workers without a negative impact on competing workers. Double-digit rates of job growth for single mothers took place in 17 of the 20 metropolitan areas. Wages increased and overall employment rates improved for single mothers and other less-educated adults. Even in metropolitan areas with high unemployment and high welfare caseloads, such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia, enough jobs materialized to expand employment and reduce unemployment for single mothers with little or no harm imposed on the job opportunities of competing workers.

There are two Highlights for each state. The income support and social services Highlights look at basic income support programs, employment and training programs, child care, child support enforcement, and the last-resort safety net. The Highlights capture policies in place and planned in 1996 and early 1997.

There are two Highlights for each state. The income support and social services Highlights look at basic income support programs, employment and training programs, child care, child support enforcement, and the last-resort safety net. The Highlights capture policies in place and planned in 1996 and early 1997.