The Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) Program provided education and occupational training to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other adults with low incomes. HPOG training is for healthcare occupations that pay well and may experience labor shortages or be in high demand.
This report details common themes from interviews with working students of 14 HPOG 2.0 programs. It highlights common experiences and challenges they faced pursuing and completing their training, which include the competing demands of working to pay for household expenses and caring for family members.
Key findings suggest additional logistical and financial support might increase program completion rates; students’ willingness to enroll in subsequent, higher-level training; and ultimately earnings. Recommendations for further support include:
1. Additional financial assistance—such as stipends to cover costs of maintaining a household/caring for family members or with emergency costs.
2. Financial and logistical support for caretaking responsibilities—to better meet participants’ needs and reduce their stress levels throughout training.
3. Greater program flexibility—to make up classes missed while responding to emergency situations and schedule conflicts, for example.
4. Motivational messaging—promoting the well-being of participants’ children as a major incentive to complete training. Frequent reminders that connect to participants’ motivations could increase program completion.
This is part of a series of briefs describing lessons from HPOG 2.0 participants. The series aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of motivations for enrolling in a career pathways program; managing work, training, and life balance; and services that facilitate their success.
Read More
Education, Youth & Families in North America
Mapping New Hampshire’s Early Childhood System
Abt Global conducted analyses of services for families and young children across the state of New Hampshire to inform the development of enhanced supports.
Transitional Living Program Special Population Demonstration Process Study
This report documents the findings from a study of the Transitional Living Program Special Population Demonstration Project funded by HHS.
Building Career Pathways Systems for Education, Training and Employment
This brief discusses the implementation of career pathways under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and considerations for state adult education staff in developing career pathways systems to support individuals in their pursuit of education and employment. Highlighted are activities in supporting career pathways as part of WIOA, Title II, the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. Considerations are presented for assessing the implementation of career pathways, determining professional development to support career pathways, and the collection and use of data related to career pathways services.
Migrant Seasonal Head Start Study
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) provides early childhood education, social and support services to culturally and linguistically diverse migrant and seasonal farmworker families and their children. Since the last nationally representative study of…