Economist, Program Evaluation Expert • Director, Actus Policy Research, Econometrica Policy Research
Our team - including Eileen Poe-Yamagata, Peter Mueser, and Paris Nearchou - is excited to share interim findings of a large-scale RCT impact study of the Iowa RCM/RESEA program. Interim findings of this study, funded by Iowa Workforce Development, include: UI claimants assigned to the RCM/RESEA group completed an average of 2.4 counseling sessions during their UI claims. Additionally, 82% of RCM/RESEA group claimants received individualized counseling services, compared to only 13% of claimants in the control group. The program reduced UI duration by 0.63 weeks, resulting in $204 UI benefit savings per participant. These effects occurred in a historically strong labor market, during which most Iowa UI claimants were eligible for up to 16 weeks of benefits. To our knowledge, these preliminary findings provide the first robust evidence about the efficacy of requiring UI claimants in the U.S. to participate in counseling activities throughout their UI spells. Alongside findings from other RCT studies of RESEA programs nationwide, these results expand the U.S. Department of Labor's evidence base on the effectiveness of mandating job counseling activities for UI claimants in a strong labor market.
We present interim findings from a large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) impact study of the Iowa RCM/RESEA program, funded by Iowa Workforce Development. The Iowa RCM/RESEA (Reemployment Case Management/Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment) program requires Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants to meet regularly with job counselors throughout their UI spells. Interim findings, using data collected halfway through the evaluation period, show that the program was effective in facilitating meetings between UI claimants and counselors, leading to increased service take up and significant reductions in UI receipt. Final findings are expected in October 2025. To learn more and read the full report, visit: https://shorturl.at/XLiQL