Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Review of Start-up and Early Implementation Efforts Related to the WAGES Privatization Pilot Projects

Report 98-35, December 1998




Report Summary

  • As of December 1998, the State WAGES Board established pilot projects operated by private providers in three representative sites as required by law. Although the pilot projects were providing employment services, they were not yet providing diversion and eligibility determination as intended due to the need to obtain approval from the federal government.
  • There are currently few differences between the pilot projects and the state-run WAGES programs.
  • Although the pilot projects have been operating for only a short while, stakeholders have strong opinions and contrasting viewpoints about the potential success of privatizing WAGES services. Our subsequent evaluation, due in December 1999, will assess these outcomes.


Related Reports
  1. WAGES Caseload Declines; the Program Faces Participant Employment Challenges
    Report 99-30 January 2000
  2. WAGES Employment Projects Initiative Must Address Its Design and Implementation Problems
    Report 99-21 December 1999
  3. Assessing Privatization in State Agency Programs
    Report 98-64 February 1999
  4. Employment Training Programs: Varied Purposes and Varied Performance
    Report 95-24 January 1996
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
social services, economic development, labor, WAGES, welfare, job development, job creation, welfare reform, public assistance, employment projects