PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Robert Santillano
AU  - Irma Perez-Johnson
AU  - Quinn Moore
TI  - Experimenting with Caseworker Direction
AID  - 10.3368/jhr.55.2.0716.8057R1
DP  - 2020 Mar 31
TA  - Journal of Human Resources
PG  - 539--565
VI  - 55
IP  - 2
4099  - http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/55/2/539.short
4100  - http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/55/2/539.full
SO  - J Hum Resour2020 Mar 31; 55
AB  - We experimentally study the intensity of caseworker direction given to eligible voucher recipients selecting a job-training program. Requiring counseling led some to forgo training, but those assigned to the most directive approach had higher survey-reported earnings seven years after study entry, with targeting implications: dislocated workers did no worse with optional counseling, while disadvantaged workers earned less. Although impacts on earnings were inconsistent for dislocated workers when using administrative data, they were consistent for disadvantaged workers. Finally, using simulations, we find that changing caseworker direction can have impacts that are similar in magnitude to participating in any job training.