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Mathematica Honors Our Veterans on Memorial Day
by Informing Policy That Meets Their Needs
Contact: Jennifer de Vallance, (202) 484-4692
Mathematica is committed to conducting research, evaluations, and surveys that contribute to the development of policies and programs that enhance the quality of life for members of the armed forces, veterans, and their families. As we honor those who died in service this Memorial Day, Mathematica would like to highlight some current research that is helping to build the evidence base for making policy that meets the needs of our nation’s veterans.
Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Veterans
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and meeting the needs of veterans who are homeless, have serious mental illnesses, or suffer from substance abuse or post-traumatic stress disorder is a national priority. Mathematica worked with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to determine the extent to which its mental health services and programs improve veterans’ access to and quality of care as well as their safety, security, and privacy. We collected data on 185 programs at 101 VA facilities across the nation through interviews with program leaders, web surveys, direct observation of the program environment, reviews of program policies and documentation, and reviews of medical records via the VA’s computerized patient record system. Our survey specialists developed the interview protocols, which were approved by the VA and a technical advisory panel. Through this work, Mathematica developed a compendium of promising practices that describes these practices, related materials, and the facilities in which the practices have been implemented.
Federal Programs for Unemployed Veterans
Enhanced Outreach and Employment Services (EOES) for Army Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) Claimants Initiative
The state-administered unemployment compensation for ex-servicemembers (UCX) program provides unemployment benefits to former members of the armed forces. In 2012, Mathematica launched an evaluation of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) initiative that provides technical assistance grants to four states to develop partnerships between the unemployment insurance workforce systems and the army to improve data sharing and outreach to UCX claimants. Mathematica will assess the extent to which states are achieving this objective. Our team will also provide technical assistance and identify practices that produce positive outcomes and can be replicated in other states.
Evaluating Veterans' Priority of Service Provision of the Jobs for Veterans Act of 2002
Authorized by the Jobs for Veterans Act of 2002, DOL funds workforce development programs to help reduce unemployment among veterans. The programs must provide former members of the armed forces and their eligible spouses with “priority of service (POS) access” to workforce services and training programs. Located at workforce investment system sites such as American Job Centers (AJCs), these programs provide employment, training, and placement services. Mathematica evaluated the implementation of POS guidance in seven AJCs, where we interviewed staff and representatives of veterans’ service organizations, and convened focus groups with eligible veterans and spouses.
Workforce Investment Act Gold-Standard Evaluation—Supplemental Study of Veteran’s Services
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) was signed into law to consolidate federal employment and training programs, and to provide universal access to employment services. Mathematica is conducting the largest, most rigorous evaluation of the WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker programs to date. While the overall evaluation targets civilian workers, a supplemental study focuses on veterans in the 28 localities participating in the study. The research team is visiting the localities to examine the veterans’ experience with employment services provided by AJCs; the team is also using administrative data to analyze the veterans’ employment-related outcomes.
About Mathematica: Mathematica Policy Research seeks to improve public well-being by conducting studies and assisting clients with program evaluation and policy research, survey design and data collection, research assessment and interpretation, and program performance/data management. Its clients include foundations, federal and state governments, and private-sector and international organizations. The employee-owned company, with offices in Princeton, NJ; Ann Arbor, MI; Cambridge, MA; Chicago, IL; Oakland, CA; and Washington, DC, has conducted some of the most important studies of health care, international, disability, education, family support, employment, nutrition, and early childhood policies and programs.