In July 2021, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) contracted with Actus, and our subcontractor the American Institutes for Research, to evaluate the effectiveness of the Wisconsin RESEA program. The evaluation uses a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design to estimate the impacts of the program on claimants’ UI receipt and employment outcomes.
Expanding on a 2023 Interim Report, this analysis uses data about two-thirds through the evaluation period and provides promising impacts about the effects of the Wisconsin RESEA program. Key interim findings include:
The program was effective in increasing receipt of job counseling services, with about 65% of participants receiving job counseling, compared to only about 4% of claimants in the control group.
The program reduced average UI duration by 0.55 weeks, leading to an average $171 in UI savings per participant.
There is no evidence at this interim stage that the program improved participant employment and earnings.
The average UI savings caused by the program covered the estimated program cost per participant.
The assessment score used by DWD to identify claimants facing reemployment barriers is shown to be a strong predictor of claimant outcomes and can be used to identify which claimants are most likely to benefit from RESEA participation.
Click here for the full Third Annual Evaluation Report.
Click here to learn more about this project.