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

WAGES Employment Projects Initiative Must Address Its Design and Implementation Problems

Report 99-21, December 1999




Report Summary

  • The WAGES employment projects initiative has not mobilized resources quickly to develop jobs for WAGES clients. In addition, the jobs that have been developed by WAGES employment projects are unlikely to lead clients to economic self-sufficiency without additional services.
  • While the Legislature envisioned that the initiative would result in local and state entities working together to identify resources to support employment projects, several design factors have impeded its success. These include diffused administrative authority for the initiative, a short timeline to accomplish a number of activities, and unclear purpose and guidance for selecting and executing the projects. As a result, implementation of the initiative has been slow.
  • In light of these problems, the initiative as currently structured should not be continued. However, the state can learn from this experience and design a program that will not only develop jobs for WAGES clients but also will include strategies to help clients retain jobs and to increase their ability to achieve self-sufficiency.


Related Reports
  1. WAGES Caseload Declines; the Program Faces Participant Employment Challenges
    Report 99-30 January 2000
  2. Review of Start-up and Early Implementation Efforts Related to the WAGES Privatization Pilot Projects
    Report 98-35 December 1998
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