Low Barrier Workforce Development Program
Locations
- Project Diakonia, Colorado
Focus Area
- Education
We can’t count how many young people are being screened out of programs because of a low likelihood of success. And, with the changing funding landscape, these young people are going to need more advocacy than ever. Our hope is that this study will quantify the economic and social impact for those we call the least likely to succeed… we want to ensure that more funding is diverted to the young adults on the margins, and if we don’t do it, who will?
The Issue
Too many young people in the U.S. are disconnected from both school and work. In 2022, approximately 13 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds were neither in school nor employed. Many of these young people face serious barriers to stability, especially those who have experienced homelessness, foster care, or the justice system. Research shows that young people facing these barriers are more likely to struggle later on with school, work, health, and justice system involvement. Local service providers say many young people fall out of touch with support systems because of unstable housing, frequent moves, or unreliable access to phones and communication, making it difficult to connect them with consistent opportunities.
Traditional workforce development programs often impose eligibility restrictions that “screen out” those with the greatest barriers to success, in order to meet short-term performance targets tied to funding. As a result, the most vulnerable youth are left without access to training and employment pathways. Without targeted efforts to “screen in” these young people and provide the intensive support they need, many remain trapped in patterns of unemployment, housing instability, and justice involvement that persist well into adulthood. However, emerging evidence suggests that low-barrier, wraparound workforce programs can help young people build skills, gain work experience, and achieve greater stability.
The Intervention
Project Diakonia is a Colorado-based nonprofit organization that supports marginalized youth in their transition to adulthood. Their mission is to provide access to vocational training, supportive services, and mentorship for young people who are often excluded from similar opportunities. The organization’s Low Barrier Workforce Development Program serves youth ages 17-24 who face challenges such as homelessness, foster care, or justice system involvement. The program provides hands-on training paired with individualized case management and career navigation. By combining vocational training with wraparound supports, the program helps participants transition to stable employment and long-term success. Project Diakonia equips participants with marketable skills, connects them to employment opportunities, and builds the foundations for lasting economic independence.
Research Question
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What proportion of eligible youth enroll in and complete Project Diakonia’s program?
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Does participation in the program increase employment, earnings, and education attainment compared to referral to standard community services?
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Does the program reduce justice system involvement and improve measures of stability, such as housing, benefit usage, and credit outcomes?
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How does participation influence psychosocial outcomes, including grit, hope, and self-confidence?
Intended Outcomes
LEO and Project Diakonia are partnering to analyze the causal effect of completing the Low Barrier Workforce Development Program on participants’ employment and earnings, educational attainment, and criminal justice outcomes. In addition to these primary outcomes, we also hope to measure several secondary outcomes, including participants’ psychological well-being and public benefit enrollment.
Research Study Design
LEO will use a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the impact of participation in Project Diakonia’s Low-Barrier Workforce Development Program. Individuals ages 17-24 will enroll in the study after being referred to Project Diakonia through partnering community organizations and screened for eligibility.
After confirming eligibility and obtaining consent, youth will complete an intake meeting with Project Diakonia staff that includes a comprehensive intake form and a baseline survey measuring factors such as hope, grit, and self-confidence. Once this is complete, LEO will randomize eligible participants into the treatment or control groups. Project Diakonia does not have the capacity to serve all eligible youth referred through partners, so randomization will be used as an equitable way to determine which individuals will be offered these limited spots.
Youth assigned to the treatment group will be offered enrollment in Project Diakonia’s eight-week construction skills course and receive case management, mentoring, and supportive services designed to improve employment, educational attainment, and long-term stability. Those assigned to the control group will be referred to the Pike’s Peak Workforce Center in Colorado, offered assistance with SNAP applications, and given a resource guide outlining other community services available to them.