Projects

Helping At-Risk Youth: Evaluation of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe and Job ChalleNGe Programs

2015-2020
Prepared For

U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Chief Evaluation Office

youth challengeYouth who are “disconnected” from school face profound challenges in an increasingly skills-based U.S. labor market. High school dropouts who are unemployed are at greater risk of long-term unemployment, welfare dependence, and involvement with the criminal justice system. The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program is a six-month residential program to improve the education, life skills, and employment potential of high school dropouts. Upon completing the residential phase of the program, participants receive structured mentoring for a year, which is designed to help them successfully transition back to their communities. A rigorous evaluation of National Guard Youth ChalleNGe found that three years after enrolling in the program, the treatment group had higher levels of GED receipt, employment, earnings, and college enrollment than the control group (Millenky et al. 2011).

Read More

Related Staff

Jillian Berk

Jillian Berk

Executive Director of Research and Evaluation, Human Services

View Bio Page
Jillian Stein

Jillian Stein

Senior Researcher

View Bio Page

See Clearly. Act Quickly.

From local to global challenges in health, human services, and international development, we’re here to improve public well-being and make progress together. Learn more about becoming a Mathematica client or partner.

Work With Us