Researcher(s):Daniel Schroeder, Christopher T. King, Esmeralda Garcia, Sarah Looney Oldmixon and Andy David
Date Published: September 2005
Publisher(s): Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources, The University of Texas at Austin
Availability: Full Report (PDF)

Abstract: The Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has partnered with the Texas
Workforce Commission (TWC) on a demonstration project referred to as the Non-custodial Parent Choices Initiative (or NCP Choices). The project links IV-D courts responsible for child support issues, OAG child support staff, and local workforce development boards to encourage workforce development of unemployed and/or underemployed non-custodial parents (NCPs) with unpaid child support orders, and whose child is either currently receiving public assistance or has previously received public assistance.

Researcher(s):Christopher T. King and Peter R. Mueser
Date Published: January 2005
Publisher(s): W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
Availability: Available for purchase from the W.E. Upjohn Insitute for Employment Research. 200pp.

Abstract: King and Mueser examine changes in welfare participation and labor market involvement of welfare recipients in six major cities during the 1990s. By focusing on these six cities (Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, and Kansas City) they are able to glean the extent to which differences in state and local policy, administrative directives, and local labor market conditions contribute to the trends in caseloads, employment, and well-being observed among former recipients. This allows the authors to identify recipient flows and patterns of employment in the six cities before and after welfare reform, and to draw conclusions that go beyond existing studies.

Researcher(s):Daniel Schroeder, Sarah Looney, Deanna Schexnayder
Date Published: October 2004
Publisher(s): Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources, The University of Texas at Austin

Abstract: This was the second of two reports evaluating the Bootstrap Project, a program created as a supplement to the Texas Fragile Families Initiative (TFF). The TFF program helped organizations around the state increase their capacity to serve young, low-income fathers. Bootstrap provided enhanced services to fathers so they could develop the necessary resources to become responsible parents who met the needs of their children.

This impact evaluation addressed four primary research questions regarding the economic effects of necessary Bootstrap services on low-income noncustodial fathers. The research compared the outcomes for Bootstrap participants to those of a carefully selected comparison group of other young, low-income fathers on the Office of the Attorney General of Texas’ child support caseload. The results reported strongly suggested that the Bootstrap program was successful in achieving its goals of improving outcomes for young, low-income noncustodial fathers and the mothers of their children. However, the researchers cautioned that the results should be interpreted cautiously due to various factors needing clarification with further research.

Availability: