Building the Evidence Base

Vol. 2, No. 3, December 2021

New to the Evidence Base

CEO publishes new reports, briefs, resources and data sets to support labor programs and policymaking throughout the year. Learn more about selected evidence products, below:

Worker Protection, Labor Standards, and Workplace-Related Benefits

What Do We Know about Alternative Work Arrangements in the United States? A Synthesis of Research Evidence from Household Surveys, Employer Surveys, and Administrative Data November 2021
As the second component in the two-part Contingent Worker Paper Series, this paper explores a growing body of data and research around four types of alternative work arrangements: independent contracting, informal and platform work, business-to-business contracting, and workers with unpredictable schedules. Through a combination of new empirical analysis and a synthesis of existing research, the report provides further insights into the incidence and trends in alternative work arrangements, the characteristics of workers in these arrangements, and the implications of alternative work for worker outcomes. 

Employment and Training

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Research Portfolio July 2021
The WIOA Research Portfolio project is generating a wide range of short- and long-term research options for DOL to consider as it seeks to build evidence to support the continuous improvement of ETA programs and services. The project team recently released two reports: a research scan summarizing existing evidence and research gaps for several key strategies related to WIOA programs and services, including case management, integrated service delivery, training programs and youth services; and a report that examines recent and long-term trends related to the changing world of work and their implications for the public workforce system.

Disability and Employment

TechHire and Strengthening Working Families Initiative (SWFI) November 2021
The TechHire and SWFI grant programs support workers who have experienced barriers to training and employment opportunities - with a range of training and other services so they can access middle- and high-skilled jobs in H-1B industries. The programs target disadvantaged individuals, including youth and young adults, parents with childcare needs, individuals with disabilities, individuals with limited English proficiency, and individuals with criminal records. Click above to read the three new reports, including the final implementation report, which examines the challenges and successes of 53 TechHire and SWFI grantees in working with service partners and employers, recruiting applicants, using case management, and placing participants in jobs.

New Data Resource to Help Users Navigate the Worker Paid Leave Usage Simulation (Worker PLUS) Model

CEO has developed new resources to support the understanding and use of the Worker PLUS Model - a product of the Microsimulation Model on Worker Leave project. A new infographic explains how researchers and federal, state, and municipal policymakers can use the open-source tool to estimate the effects of worker leave scenarios and policy options on worker leave-taking behavior. The quick start guide provides an overview on how to quickly launch the Worker PLUS Model's graphical user interface in Python and download the necessary data input files. Users can refer to the Worker PLUS Model user manual for more details that include other launch options. 

From the Chief Evaluation Officer

On October 29^th, the Federal Advisory Committee on Data for Evidence Building (ACDEB) released their Year 1 Report, which contains seven key recommendations for the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on how to promote the use of Federal data for evidence building. The committee, including DOL Chief Evaluation Officer Dr. Christina Yancey, has also established a Year 2 roadmap with the aim of providing concrete recommendations to OMB related to establishing a National Secure Data Service, Read more in the report.

Moving Research Forward: Staff Spotlight

Deborah Martierrez is a dedicated Senior Evaluation Specialist with over 15 years of experience. Since she joined CEO in 2019, her portfolio has included topics related to employment and training, youth, individuals with disabilities, and international labor issues. Before her time with CEO, Deborah worked for the department's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), overseeing international grant programs and survey research projects related to child labor and forced labor.

Deborah recommends reading the Technical Skills Training Evaluation Ready to Work (RTW) Partnerships Grants report to learn how grant programs targeting long-term unemployed workers, including many older workers (ages 55+), implemented their employment training and related serves in the wake of the 2008-2009 recession. The study provides potential lessons that may be relevant today as the U.S. economy recovers from COVID-19 related employment shocks.

Deborah also recommends reviewing the Standards on Reducing Language Bias in CEO Products guide, which can be found on the CEO Resources page. The guide shares best practices and resources to best reduce bias and reflect a broad range of identities in evaluations.

Chief Evaluation Officer Wins Inaugural Evaluation Award

In October, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recognized Dr. Christina Yancey, CEO's Chief Evaluation Officer, with an award for "Distinguished Contributions to the Federal Evaluation Community," in recognition of her efforts to increase our foundational understanding of how to improve labor outcomes in the U.S., and for her support of the evaluation function across the federal government. The award recognizes one Evaluation Officer Council member who makes "truly exceptional contributions to Federal evaluation." Read more about the award on OMB's website. Read more about OMB's November 29^th In the Spotlight feature of Dr. Yancey on Evaluation.gov.