for the Study of Human Resources
RMC Research Associate Cynthia Juniper was interviewed recently by Texas Standard on pandemic-era staffing shortages in the childcare sector. “Compared to pre-pandemic levels, Texas’ childcare industry remains understaffed” aired October 17, 2022. You can read a transcript of and listen to the interview here.
| Principal Investigator: | Greg Cumpton, PhD |
| Sponsor: | Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce |
| Project Duration: | February 2022 – May 2024 |
| Description: | The CAREER Project (Trellis Foundation’s Regional Ecosystem Innovation for Reskilling/Upskilling in Texas) aims to create a network of postsecondary and employment support for individuals in the Central Texas community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by building out widescale infrastructure like a referral map and integrated marketing and data efforts. The Ray Marshall Center has partnered with the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce to evaluate the CAREER Project. |
| Reports Available: |
| Principal Investigator: | Heath J. Prince, PhD |
| Sponsor: | UP Partnership |
| Project Duration: | October 2021 – August 2026 |
| Description: | Through a partnership with the UP Partnership and the Aspen Institute, the RMC will engage in a data-driven longitudinal study following Opportunity Youth (OY) in San Antonio into either the labor market or postsecondary education (or both) between Fall 2021 and Summer 2026 to map out the pathways taken by OY. This study will begin tracking OY at the point that they exit OY programs. In addition, and in order to gain a fuller understanding of the entire OY population, we will identify the total population of OY in an area (based on high school of graduation) through data collected from the Education Research Center (ERC). We will also submit a request to the ERC to upload participant data we collect from OY programs in order to compare the difference in the relative size of the OY population receiving and not receiving services. This partnership is motivated by several research questions:
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| Associated Projects: | Pathways Taken By Opportunity Youth Pathways Taken By Opportunity Youth in San Antonio (Aspen) |
| Reports Available: |
| Principal Investigator: | Heath J. Prince, PhD |
| Sponsor: | Aspen Institute |
| Project Duration: | September 2021 – March 2023 |
| Description: | Through a partnership with the Aspen Institute, the RMC will engage in a data-driven longitudinal study following Opportunity Youth (OY) in San Antonio into either the labor market or postsecondary education (or both) between Fall 2021 and Summer 2026 to map out the pathways taken by OY. This study will use UI wage and National Student Clearinghouse data to monitor the progress at the individual level. This partnership is motivated by several research questions:
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| Associated Projects: | Pathways Taken By Opportunity Youth Pathways Taken By Opportunity Youth in San Antonio (UP) |
| Reports Available: |
| Principal Investigator: | Heath J. Prince, PhD |
| Sponsor: | JPMorgan Chase |
| Project Duration: | August 2021 – August 2026 |
| Description: | With the support of JPMorgan Chase, the Ray Marshall Center will study the pathways taken by Opportunity Youth in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. This five-year grant represents one of the largest efforts undertaken in Texas to date to study the systems that serve, and the trajectories taken by, disconnected young adults (between the ages of 18 and 24 who are neither enrolled in school nor working) after participation in a youth-serving program. The study aims to determine the size of the OY population in each of these cities, as well as measure programmatic impact in terms of employment and/or enrollment in postsecondary education. In addition to providing a clearer picture of the OY landscape, it is our expectation that the study findings will inform OY policy for the state. |
| Associated Projects: | Pathways Taken By Opportunity Youth in San Antonio (Aspen) Pathways Taken By Opportunity Youth in San Antonio (UP) |
| Reports Available: |
The Ray Marshall Center is pleased to announce support from JPMorgan Chase to study the pathways taken by Opportunity Youth in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. This $750,000, five-year grant represents one of the largest efforts undertaken in Texas to date to study the systems that serve, and the trajectories taken by, disconnected young adults (between the ages of 18 and 24 who are neither enrolled in school nor working) after participation in a youth-serving program. The study aims to determine the size of the OY population in each of these cities, as well as measure programmatic impact in terms of employment and/or enrollment in postsecondary education. In addition to providing a clearer picture of the OY landscape, it is our expectation that the study findings will inform OY policy for the state.
| Principal Investigator: | Greg Cumpton, PhD |
| Sponsor: | Austin Community College |
| Project Duration: | April 2021 – March 2022 |
| Description: | Austin Community College’s (ACC) Student Money Management Office (SMMO), established in 2016, supports Austin Community College student success by providing accessible and relevant money management education, enabling students to make informed financial decisions.
In fall 2018, SMMO piloted the Rainy Day Savings Program, modeled after the successes of Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) which have helped low-income people save and attain assets. In the Rainy Day Savings program, students earn up to $100 in cash incentives for completing certain tasks and meeting milestones. These tasks and milestones were chosen because of their potential impact on future financial wellness, such as setting up direct deposit, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and meeting with a financial coach. Savings accounts were opened for students at University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) exclusively for the purposes of the Rainy Day Savings Program, and students worked towards amassing at least $500 savings. Based on the initial results, ACC viewed this program as a tool to increase student retention and completion and sought to expand and refine the program. ACC received funding from Trellis Foundation in January 2020 to support this effort. ACC enrolled approximately 600 students in the Rainy Day Savings Program in fall 2020. Enrollment focused on two key student groups: First-time in college (FTIC) and Adult Education (AE) students. The program helped students establish a savings account at a local financial institution and provided cash incentives as they set aside money for a financial emergency. ACC is partnering with the Ray Marshall Center (RMC) to study the effectiveness of the Rainy Day Savings program. This research study will provide actionable information about the success of the intervention allowing for ACC and Trellis to make decisions about and program modifications and sustainability. |
| Reports Available: | Research Study of Austin Community College’s Rainy Day Savings Program: Year One Report Authors: Ashweeta Patnaik and Greg Cumpton Date: April 2022 Publication Type: Report, 38pp. Research Study of Austin Community College’s Rainy Day Savings Program Date: August 2021 Publication Type: Report, 28pp. |
Looking for a career that can help others, Lauren entered the Pflugerville ISD Fire/EMT Academy, which trains high school students to become certified EMTs. Now she’s a sophomore at Texas A&M Commerce in a pre-med course with hopes of becoming a nurse practitioner in the ER.
*The Ray Marshall Center is proud to be one of the local partners, joining Austin Community College, the Office of the Mayor of the City of Austin, Travis County Judge’s Office, and Workforce Solutions Capital Area in the grant.
To read more about the initiative and see updates, please visit the dedicated website.
Jorge is a senior at Crockett High School in Austin, Texas. As a freshman he was introduced to a Career & Technical Education (CTE) program that will allow him to graduate high school with the knowledge and skills to start an entry level job in construction. Right now, he has his eye on trade school and concrete, and his variety of interests and strong work ethic will ensure he finds success in his chosen field.
*The Ray Marshall Center is proud to be one of the local partners, joining Austin Community College, the Office of the Mayor of the City of Austin, Travis County Judge’s Office, and Workforce Solutions Capital Area in the grant.
To read more about the initiative and see updates, please visit the dedicated website.
The pandemic has revealed the importance of child care for a strong economy, especially for working mothers. Yet the majority of those employed in the industry don’t earn a living wage, forcing them to depend on public income support. Those who love the profession and realize its importance have to make hard economic decisions just to stay afloat.
*The Ray Marshall Center is proud to be one of the local partners, joining Austin Community College, the Office of the Mayor of the City of Austin, Travis County Judge’s Office, and Workforce Solutions Capital Area in the grant.
To read more about the initiative and see updates, please visit the dedicated website.
2315 Red River St., Stop R1300
Sid Richardson Hall, Unit 3
Austin, Texas 78712-1536
Phone: (512) 471-7891
Email: rmcinfo@raymarshallcenter.org
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