Pilot project great support for single parents

An evaluation of the Single Parent Employment Support Program (SESP), a five-year pilot project administered by the Department of Human Resources and Employment and the Single Parent Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and open to clients in seven HRE offices in the North East Avalon region, concludes that the innovative project is a great asset in assisting single parents in receipt of income support to enter and remain in the workforce.

Established in 1998 as a five-year pilot project, the Single Parent Employment Support Program is a joint initiative between the Department of Human Resources and Employment and the Single Parent Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (SPAN). The pilot program helps single parents on income support to obtain employment and work toward becoming financially independent through such supports as job readiness training, development of job search skills and the assistance of a job search officer, as well as offering employment related supports such as child care and transportation.

The summative evaluation of the SESP Program from Gallant and Associates was commissioned by the Single Parent Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (SPAN) in partnership with the Department of Human Resources and Employment.

"We are very pleased but not surprised with the impressive findings of this evaluation," said Ralph Wiseman, Minister of Human Resources and Employment. "Over the past five years we have heard many success stories of the positive impact this program has had on single parents. This latest evaluation will prove to be a great asset as we explore the future direction of the program. In particular, the results will be an important tool as we continue discussions with the federal government regarding options to expand the concept of support to particular groups in other parts of the province."

The evaluation drew a number of positive conclusions concerning the program including the program's ability to address existing barriers to employment unique for single parents while providing the necessary ongoing and follow up supports needed by program participants. The report also highlighted participants' success in finding employment, advancing in the labour market and leaving the income support system. Major findings in the report include:

• Participants are finding employment at a 25 per cent higher rate than a comparison group of single parents on income support and with similar demographic profiles
  
  
• 32 per cent of participants are no longer in receipt of income support benefits
  
  
• Approximately 80 per cent of the participants have obtained employment
  
  
• The majority of participants are finding their first job within 14 weeks of beginning the program
  
  
• The salaries and hours of work for participants are continuing to increase over time

"The project has been a true partnership between government and a service agency and the results speak for themselves. This model has shown what is necessary to enable people to successfully move off income supports and into the labour market," said Yvette Walton, Executive Director of the Single Parent Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. "We look forward to continuing this initiative which is making a major difference in people's lives and contributing to the general well-being of our province."

Summative Evaluation of the Single Parent Employment Support Program (SESP) Final Report - June 2002

Media contact:
       Simon Lono, Communications, Department of Human Resources and Employment, (709) 729-4062
       Yvette Walton, Executive Director Single Parent Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, (709) 738-3401

2003 03 18                                      12:30 p.m.