What are examples of successful private sector initiatives to hire welfare recipients?
Answer — Eight successful private sector initiatives are described below. Since 1984, a private for-profit placement and support organization in New York, Indianapolis, Albany and Baltimore has helped more than 12,000 welfare recipients find full-time private sector jobs. Recipients are hired permanently at an average wage of $16,000 per year, including benefits. This organization works under contract with State and local governments and is reimbursed only for successful outcomes, typically defined as a job retained at least six months. The state of New York found that 81 percent of those placed by this organization are still off welfare after one year. Since 1985, a private non-profit organization in Chicago has followed an incremental ladders-of-work approach, encouraging its participants to begin with work at their level of ability, including, if necessary, volunteer or part-time work. Clients move one step up the ladder of work at a time, with the ultimate goal being full-time, un
