| In 2010, national and state unemployment rates in the United States were nearly double the annual rates from 2000 to 2006, and millions of citizens were without a regular income. Researchers have examined the multiple dimensions of unemployment. What was not known, however, was the effectiveness of the public administration practice in individual state employment agencies when addressing the economic crisis and rising unemployment. In this evaluative study, the effectiveness of each of 10 state employment agencies in the Central Region 5 of the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration was investigated. The theoretical framework was based on Scott's institutional theory. Program outcomes in successful employment placements, defined by entrance rates, retention rates, and earnings rates outcomes during the period 2007-2009 were examined using data derived from public records regarding the Workforce Investment Act Title 1-B Adult and Dislocated Workers program. Paired samples t tests indicated that fewer states met or exceeded the negotiated entrance rates for both Adult and Dislocated Worker participants in 2009 when compared to 2007. Performance rates had declined significantly in a majority of CR 5 states in the 3-year period. Descriptive statistics also indicated that adult Black participants were less likely to enter employment, retain employment, and achieve earnings rates commensurate to the rates achieved by Hispanic, Other, and White participants. Women were more likely than men to enter and retain employment, but at lower earnings rates. Implications for social change include informing public officials in less effective states of the employment outcomes obtained in the more effective states, particularly when economic crises occur. |
