October 2007
Colorado Department of Human Services
This report summarizes the findings from the past year’s work on the Colorado Works Program Evaluation. It presents and updates longitudinal data analysis of the TANF receipt and employment outcomes among welfare recipients. It also analyzes client interactions with other social service agencies including child support services and child care services. It also summarizes special topic reports examining program participation and fiscal trends, which were conducted throughout the year.
Client Area: State and Local Governments
Expertise Area: Income Security
September 2007
Colorado Department of Human Services
This report presents findings from focus groups that were conducted with 78 current and past TANF recipients in four Colorado counties. The focus groups provide the clients’ perspective about their experiences on welfare and how participation in various services may have contributed to their long-term self-sufficiency. The report focuses on seven key topic areas: (1) Reasons for TANF application, (2) Application and eligibility determination process, (3) Views on diversion, (4) Views on services provided by staff, (5) Views on services received through TANF offices and Workforce Centers, (6) Work participation requirements and time limits, and (7) Long-term self-sufficiency.
Client Area: State and Local Governments
Expertise Area: Income Security
August 2007
Colorado Department of Human Services
The purpose of this study is to examine Colorado employers’ experiences with welfare recipients they have hired for low-skill, entry-level jobs. The research gathers information on the characteristics of employers and the low-skill workforce, employer hiring practices, staffing needs, overall employer satisfaction, and employer feedback on county Colorado Works offices and workforce centers operated under local Workforce Investment Boards. The survey provides information about the extent to which the Colorado Works program and the clients are able to meet employer needs.
Client Area: State and Local Governments
Expertise Area: Employment, Training, and Workforce Development, Income Security
May 2007
Hawaii Department of Human Services
The Hawaii Department of Human services (DHS) currently uses the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to fund a diverse set of positive youth development programs to prevent teenage pregnancy and other behaviors that can negatively affect a successful transition to adulthood. DHS contracted with The Lewin Group to develop objective criteria for measuring the effectiveness of these programs. The key project tasks were a literature review, field research, and development of performance measures.
Client Area: State and Local Governments
Expertise Area: Children, Youth, and Family Policy
March 2007
North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
This report explores the history of the North Carolina Health Choice for Children program over the past decade. The report also summarizes the perspectives of several key stakeholders and experts about the about the issues that will be discussed at the federal and state levels during the SCHIP reauthorization process.
Client Area: State and Local Governments
Expertise Area: Medicaid and CHIP
March 2007
New Mexico Medical Review Association
This report conveys the findings of the Independent Assessment of the access, quality, and cost-effectiveness of health care services delivered under New Mexico’s Behavioral Health Collaborative. This report fulfills the requirement of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that state Medicaid authorities arrange for an independent assessment of a state’s 1915(b) waiver programs. The Lewin Group has reviewed the access- and quality-related state contractual requirements, ValueOptions’ proposal to the State of New Mexico, Managed Care Audit, ValueOptions’ provider network, selected reports, provider satisfaction survey, national performance standards and MHSIP performance, ValueOptions’ Quality Management Program, and various financial reports. Based on the comprehensive review of submitted reports and data related to consumer and provider satisfaction, the program is off to a strong start in some respects and a challenging start in others. ValueOptions and the Interagency Behavioral Health Purchasing Collaborative have implemented a behavioral health system that is designed to not only provide access to quality health services, but also integrate other non-medical health member needs. The State of New Mexico has set extensive and specific requirements for performance, which ValueOptions has already met or appears to be making significant progress towards. New Mexico’s behavioral health system meets CMS guidelines and requirements in terms of access, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
Client Area: State and Local Governments
Expertise Area: Medicaid and CHIP, Mental Health and Substance Abuse
February 2007
District of Columbia Child Support Services Division
In 2004, the District of Columbia’s Child Support Services Division (CSSD) launched a demonstration to improve collaboration between the child support agency and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) agency and reduce the number of TANF clients who failed to attend scheduled child support intake appointments, the first step to establishing a child support order. To accomplish this goal, child support intake workers were co-located at the TANF office in the Anacostia neighborhood. CSSD contracted with The Lewin Group to develop the demonstration and conduct the evaluation. To measure the effect of the intervention, individuals applying for TANF or visiting the office for recertification were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. Treatment group members received child support services at the TANF office, while control group members followed the standard procedure for child support intake, which involved an in-person interview at the CSSD headquarters. The impact study found that the demonstration produced a significant increase in paternities and orders established; impacts on child support payments began to emerge after 12 months.
Client Area: State and Local Governments
Expertise Area: Income Security
September 2006
Colorado Department of Human Services
his report summarizes the findings from the past year’s work on the Colorado Works Program Evaluation. It provides policy analysis of the Colorado Works program as well as descriptions of the local socioeconomic trends. It presents longitudinal data analysis of the TANF receipt and interactions among welfare recipients. It also summarizes special topic reports examining service delivery strategies and practices, which were conducted throughout the year. These include program coordination and collaboration, employment services and employer interactions, preventative services, and serving the hard-to-employ.
Client Area: State and Local Governments
Expertise Area: Income Security
September 2006
Marin County
Lewin contact: Lisa Chimento
This report was commissioned by Marin County to analyze the services provided at Marin General Hospital and the extent to which County residents and County government rely on the hospital to meet health care needs. The report's recommendations are designed to help assure that health services in Marin are accessible and effective for all consumers.
Client Area: State and Local Governments
August 2006
Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner
The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) commissioned The Lewin Group to assess the surplus levels of Rhode Island’s three health plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, United HealthCare of New England and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, pursuant to requirements of the Rhode Island Health Care Reform Act of 2004. The legislature asked OHIC to provide recommendations for what appropriate insurance surplus reserve levels might be for health insurers in Rhode Island. Lewin conducted this study to assess whether Rhode Island's three health plans have surplus levels within appropriate ranges, given the special circumstances of the individual plans and the Rhode Island market. To assess the sufficiency of surplus of health plans in the state, Lewin conducted a series of analyses in which we applied existing models for assessing health plan solvency. We also performed a detailed analysis of the financial experience of the three key insurers in Rhode Island. Lewin drafted and presented oral testimony for use at public forums convened by the Rhode Island Insurance Commissioner. Finally, Lewin drafted a final report that summarized key findings, addresses substantive issues raised during the forums, and made recommendations for action related to health plan surplus. Please click on the links for the Reserves Report Preliminary Findings, and the individual reports for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, United HealthCare of New England and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island.
Client Area: State and Local Governments
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