Research Areas

Research

 

Through separate contracts and task orders issued by federal agencies, Coffey Consulting performs a range of programmatic and policy research that results in findings, conclusions and recommendations that inform decision making. Some examples include:

Job Corps Student and Staff Training Support (USDOL):  Coffey supported the National Office of Job Corps on education standards, staff professional development, general logistical and administrative support, and support on special projects as required, including research, report preparation, presentations, training and technical assistance delivery.  Focus was on implementation of Job Corps’ New Vision for student education and staff development, a major component of which was the development of a standards-based education and training system.  Specific tasks included ongoing assessment and continuous improvement of student academic programs; establishment of proficiency standards; curriculum development; integration of technology in training; educational testing; and development of special programs for students with disabilities or limited English proficiency.  This also included establishment of a national Job Corps system of staff professional development that began with a program for teacher certification and re-certification and included a rollout strategy featuring pilot centers for excellence.

Key tasks included conducting background research on student and program outcomes, developing an annual strategic plan and other reports, and making recommendations for the National Office on continuous improvement of student training programs; supporting the National Office and workgroups in preparing strategic education plans for the Job Corps academic program; assisting the National Office and the Job Corps Data Center in implementing a comprehensive system to integrate the use of computer-based courses and technology resources in student and staff training; conducting research on effective student academic assessments and assisting the National Office with coordination of workgroups to review student assessments; assisting the National Office in establishing and implementing standards of student academic proficiency; developing standard curricula for reading, math, writing and pre-GED courses and high school courses based on established academic standards; and providing support for the development of educational programs for LEP students and students with disabilities and other special needs.

Federal Research and Evaluation Database (USDOL/ETA):  Coffey maintained public and controlled access to the Federal Research and Evaluation Database (FRED) web sites and conducted analyses of reports submitted by states under a pilot demonstration of integrated performance reporting.  The web sites consisted of a suite of data exploration tools whereby users analyzed one of DOL’s databases.  Coffey updated databases and a user’s guide; updated the usability of the web site; improved trend analysis; and provided technical assistance to ETA. 

State National Evaluation Coordination (USDOL/ETA):  Coffey provided technical assistance on appropriate evaluation methodologies and procedures to state and local officials with responsibility for performing evaluation activities; information gathering related to ongoing evaluations under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and logistical support for conferences and meetings of state, regional and federal officials.  Conducted calls to states and held informal discussions to review summary of state WIA plans and reviewed major reports of state evaluation activities for background information.  Produced profiles and conducted follow-up research; prepared Interim Progress Report and cross-analysis of findings.  Assisted states in using performance measures and other tools and techniques to better manage and evaluate programs.

Apprenticeship Impact Project (USDOL/ETA):  Coffey helped coordinate and implement this initiative that was the Office of Apprenticeship’s response to comments and observations from the field on how to strengthen and expand registered apprenticeship. Five project areas were identified and included in the research:  innovations/promising practices, expansion/marketing, serving dislocated workers, diversity, and linkages with other systems/governance.  The project included workforce development conferences in Washington, DC; Chicago, Illinois; Raleigh, North Carolina; and San Diego, California.  The project produced the blueprint for the current strategies being implemented by the registered apprenticeship system. To access the Final Report, click here.

National Rapid Response/Displaced Homemakers (USDOL/ETA):  Coffey researched programs and strategies used to serve Displaced Homemakers and compiled and synthesized research into a Technical Assistance Guide and Final Report.  Reviewed literature, met with stakeholders and advocates, conducted site visits to service providers, identified promising practices and service models, and prepared a Technical Assistance Guide for use by the One-Stop system.  Also provided guidance for One-Stops to develop a tailored service strategy to meet the needs of Displaced Homemakers

The Effects of Unemployment Insurance as an Automatic Stabilizer (USDOL/ETA):  One of the major objectives of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program is to promote economic stability in the nation by maintaining consumer purchasing power during economic downturns.  When workers lose their jobs through no fault of their own, UI benefits are available to help them cover their basic necessities, thus slowing the decline in aggregate spending when the economy moves into a recession.  The purpose of this project was to provide detailed information to national and state policymakers on the effectiveness of the UI program as an automatic stabilizer during economic downturns, the factors that impact the ability of the UI program to achieve its stabilization objective, analysis of how to improve the objective, and an estimate of the multiplier effect of the UI program.

Coffey produced an updated literature review of counter-cyclical effects of UI; provided a descriptive analysis of UI as an automatic stabilizer; documented a quantitative analysis and comparison of UI’s stabilization effect during recessions over three decades; provided a description and analysis of factors, including the decline in the UI recipiency rate, impact the ability of the UI program to achieve its stabilization goal; provided an estimate and formula of the multiplier effect of the UI program; and presented recommendations for improving UI’s stabilization effect.

A Final Report was written entitled Unemployment Insurance As an Automatic Stabilizer: Evidence of Effectiveness Over Three Decades.  [To access this report, click here.] The argument that UI has become less effective because other economic stabilizers have become more effective or more important is not supported by this study.  It stated that UI may become the primary automatic stabilizer in the years ahead, and it may be possible to make the UI program even more effective as an automatic stabilizer by refining its triggering and funding mechanisms.

MOU Development, Execution and Dissemination of Information (USDOL/ETA):  Coffey provided research, training, and technical assistance to Local Workforce Investment Boards that are part of the State One-Stop delivery system mandated by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.  Each Local Board was required to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between itself and the One-Stop partners; an umbrella MOU can cover the entire local area.  Researched, compiled, and disseminated promising practices in MOU development; convened stakeholder focus groups on status, issues/problems, successes, and training and technical assistance suggestions; developed a technical assistance guide and produced a Final Report.

State and Local Workforce Investment Boards (USDOL/ETA):  Provided research, strategic planning, customized training and technical assistance services to State and Local Workforce Investment Boards that are part of the State One-Stop delivery system mandated by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.  It called for more accountability, customer choice, and performance measurement. The focus was on system direction in response to the needs of the local labor market and economy.  Researched and compiled examples of effective methods to educate Board members on strategic planning, and keeping members energized and active participants in Board activities.  Disseminated promising practices in effective Board development; conducted training and technical assistance and follow-up; and developed an information package for distribution to the Boards. 

H-1B Technical Assistance and Support (USDOL/ETA):  Coffey provided support needed to administer the Department’s H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa program.  The American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (ACWIA) initially required that 56.3 percent of the user fee of $1,000 for each new and first time renewal application for a foreign worker admitted to the United States under the H-1B program be directed to a Treasury Department account for use by DOL to train American workers.  This initiative was designed to reduce America’s dependency on foreign workers by training employed and unemployed American workers.  Provided staff to design database and information sharing format as input to the detailed technical specifications for an H-1B MIS.  Personnel reviewed field and other reports for accuracy and completeness prior to entering data into the database.  Generated individual and summary grantee status updates; provided on-site and electronic technical assistance and status reviews; conducted site visits; and was responsible for a fast-turnaround grantee conference. To access the report, click here.