The Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) Program in Arkansas is the state's TANF program. The program redesigned the provision of cash assistance in the state, shifting the focus from eligibility determination to assisting clients to move into the work force. The program also provides increased local involvement through the creation of local coalitions that have representatives from various sectors of the community and are responsible for community needs assessment and service provision.

The TEA Evaluation was initiated in response to a legislative mandate. This multi-year evaluation included four main sub-studies: outcomes study, TANF leavers' survey, process study, and business incentives study. The outcomes study used state administrative data to track changes in caseload level and composition, post-program employment and earnings, and post-program participation in Medicaid and Food Stamps. The outcomes study utilized a quasi-experimental approach, comparing TEA client outcomes to outcomes of clients exiting AFDC just before TEA was implemented. BPA surveyed respondents for the TANF leavers' survey, focusing on post-program experiences in the labor force, use of other assistance programs, child care, and family well-being. The process study included state-level and county-level data collection. At the state level, BPA interviewed numerous agency directors about their involvement in the welfare reform process. In addition, BPA conducted in-person visits to 15 counties, during which researchers interview county staff, local business leaders, local non-county service providers, and TEA recipients. Finally, BPA conducted interviews with a diverse set of businesses in the state to examine the extent to which they are knowledgeable about and take advantage of tax and other incentives to participate in welfare reform. Findings from the evaluation were provided twice per year to the Transitional Employment Board and the state legislature.

Publications:

Evaluation of Arkansas' Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) Program: Seventh Biannual Report (Jan, 2001) (PDF:11729KB)
This report builds on the findings of past evaluation reports. The report examines the implementation and operation of the TEA program, as well as the effect of the program on recipients' self-sufficiency outcomes.