Giving Noncustodial Parents Options:
Employment and Child Support Outcomes
of the SHARE Program

Final Report

By:
Irma Perez-Johnson, Jacqueline Kauff, and Alan Hershey

Submitted to:
Department of Health and Human Services
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

Project Officer:
Alana Landey

Submitted by:
Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Project Director:
Alan Hershey

October 2003

This report is available on the Internet at:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/wtw-grants-eval98/share03/

Printer Friendly Version (PDF format)

How to Obtain a Printed Copy

Contents

Executive Summary

Chapter

1. Introduction
   1. The Welfare-To-Work Grants Program
   2. How Did Share Operate?
   3. The National WtW Evaluation and the SHARE Outcomes Study
      1. Research Questions
      2. Data Sources and Methodology
2. Participation in SHARE
   1. Did SHARE Reach its Intended Targets?
   2. How Successful Was SHARE in Reestablishing Support?
   3. Summary
3. Program Outcomes
   1. Characteristics of the NCP Sample Before Referral to SHARE
   2. How Did Targeted NCPS Fare after Referral to SHARE?
   3. What Can We Conclude from These Findings?
   4. Summary and Study Conclusions

References

Appendix A

Tables

• I.1 Key Findings from the SHARE Outcomes Study
• II.1 Participation in SHARE
• II.2 Bench Warrants Issued under SHARE
• II.3 Resolution of SHARE Cases That Reached Closure
• II.4 Tenure of Referred Cases with YCPA
• II.5 Reasons for Case Closure with No Child Support Being Paid
• III.1 Rates of Receipt of TANF and Food Stamps among All NCPs Referred to SHARE
• III.2 Employment and Earnings of All NCPs Before Referral to SHARE
• III.3 Child Support Payments of All NCPs Before Referral to SHARE

Figures

• II.1 Progression of Referred NCPs Through SHARE
• III.1 Age Distribution of All NCPs Referred to SHARE
• III.2 Employment Rates over Time
• III.3 Average Earnings over Time
• III.4 Rates of Child Support Payment over Time
• III.5 Average Child Support Collections over Time
• III.6 Employment Rates over Time, by Participation in SHARE
• III.7 Average Earnings over Time, by Participation in SHARE
• III.8 Rates of Child Support Payment over Time, by Participation in SHARE
• III.9 Average Child Support Collections over Time, by Participation in SHARE

Acknowledgments

The SHARE Outcomes Study was conducted by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (MPR) as part of the congressionally mandated evaluation of the National Welfare-to-Work grants program. The overall study is being conducted by MPR and its subcontractors — the Urban Institute (UI) and Support Services International, Inc. (SSI) — under a contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Many individuals in these organizations and the state of Washington assisted in conducting the study and producing this report.

At DHHS, Alana Landey was responsible for overseeing the study. She and Linda Mellgren reviewed a draft of the report and provided useful comments on it. Nancy Pindus from UI and Mack Rhoades from SSI conducted visits to the SHARE program and provided qualitative information on the organization and operations of the initiative. They also responded to questions about the flow of noncustodial parents through SHARE and the intricacies of the program. In addition, they reviewed a draft of this report. In Washington, staff at the Tri-County Workforce Development Council, the Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney's office, the Division of Child Support, and the Department of Social and Health Services — in particular, Kathy Thomas, Kevin Callaghan, Mike Garrick, Carl Formoso, Jeff Jaksich, Laura Schraiger, Kathryn Beall, and Duy Huynh — generously provided information about the SHARE initiative and data on program participation, child support payments, receipt of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and food stamps, employment, and earnings.

At MPR, Daisy Ewell expertly coordinated the process of securing data from the state of Washington. Nora Paxton and Taryn Eckstein provided research assistance for the preparation and analysis of program and state administrative data. Walter Corson reviewed previous drafts of this report and provided many helpful comments. Laura Berenson edited the report, and William Garrett provided secretarial and production support.

We would like to thank all these organizations and individuals for their important contributions to this study. We also would like to thank the administrators and staff who operated the SHARE initiative for their dedication and cooperation with the study.

The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the authors and should not be construed as representing the opinions or policy of MPR or of any agency of the federal government.

How to Obtain a Printed Copy

To obtain a printed copy of this report, send the title and your mailing information to:

You may also just print the version in PDF format.

Where to?

Top of Page

Main Page of Report | Contents of Report

Home Pages:
National Evaluation of the WtW Grants Program
Human Services Policy (HSP)
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Last updated: 02/20/04