HIGHLIGHTS
- Employers need effective ways to address the opioid epidemic
- Evaluating implementation of state workforce agencies’ efforts for federal/state clients
- Rapid analysis memos and reports over the project’s life
The Challenge
Substance use disorders (SUDs), including opioid use disorder (OUD), represent a significant barrier to employment. Growing rates of SUDs also require a skilled workforce to help communities respond to the needs of individuals in recovery. The Department of Labor awarded Support to Communities: Fostering Opioid Recovery through Workforce Development grants to four state workforce agencies to develop innovative approaches to serve jobseekers affected by OUD and other SUDs, and to train workers for professions to address these disorders.
The Approach
Abt’s evaluation of these grants will include a comprehensive implementation study and an assessment of the feasibility of a rigorous impact evaluation. Key components will include state and local site visits, in-depth interviews with individuals served by grant-funded programs, and a grantee and partner survey to document key program features and social networks among key stakeholders.
The Results
Results will be reported in a series of rapid analysis memos and reports over the five-year life of the project.