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Introduction
Project Zero is part of the FIA's "To Strengthen Michigan Families" initiative. This initiative, which began in 1996, assists clients in moving away from the need for public assistance and toward self-sufficiency. The goal of Project Zero is to reduce to "zero" the number of work ready Family Independence Program (FIP, formerly AFDC) households without earned income. Stated another way, the goal of Project Zero is to assist all FIP families who are expected to work, earn income and achieve self-sufficiency.
Project Zero began with a sample of recipients in six representative areas of the state. Sites were selected based on geographic location, demographics and urban/rural characteristics of FIP families. While each site had unique aspects, the clients had common problems such as access to child care and transportation, low self-esteem and fear of losing health care coverage.
The original project sites and their geo-demographic composition were:
- Alpena County - northern rural.
- Menominee County - rural Upper Peninsula.
- Midland County - mix of urban and rural.
- Ottawa County - mix of urban and rural.
- Wayne County Romulus District - mix of urban and suburban.
- Wayne County Tireman District - urban and residential district of Detroit.
Sample Design
These factors were considered in designing the project:
- The six original local offices had already been selected and agreed to participate.
- A comparison was made of three client groups based on how many hours the client had worked in the previous week (zero, 1-19, and 20 or more). Twenty (20) hours was the federal
participation standard at the time.
- The sample selection, interviews, processing, and analysis was completed for timely implementation.
The intended sample size was 120 in each office, consisting of a random sample of 40 in each of the three groups. This was determined by calculating how many cases were needed in each group in order for differences of 15 percent to be considered statistically significant (as opposed to sampling fluctuation).
When selecting samples, the amount of earned income could be used in lieu of hours worked. There were 40 cases selected from those with no earned income, 40 from those with $1 to $399 earned income, and 40 from those with $400 or more earned income.
Project Zero Strategy
The project began July 1, 1996, focused on achieving 100% employment for work ready clients in the six project sites. To help clients obtain employment, FIA staff worked to eliminate barriers to employment and promote independence. Additional
resources were developed within the agency and coordinated with other state agencies including Michigan departments of Transportation, Community Health (the state Medicaid agency) and Career Development (formerly Michigan Jobs Commission). Agreements were developed at the local level with community-based agencies for their assistance in providing resources for the Project Zero effort.
Upon application for cash assistance, all Project Zero clients were required to participate in a joint orientation meeting conducted by the FIA and a local Work First agency. Work First agencies are contractors of the Michigan Department of Career Development, the agency that administers welfare-to-work in Michigan. FIA staff assisted clients with cash assistance, family services and direct support services, while Work First staff were responsible for employment-related services, including but not limited to, job search, resume writing and other employment-related assistance.
Transition to the Single Worker Concept
The Family Independence Agency focused on implementing a "single worker" concept. Previously the FIA used specialty field workers to determine eligibility and deliver assistance payments, child daycare and employment-related services. With Work First being reponsible for employment-related services, the FIA merged the three prior job classifications into two new job classifications: Family Independence Specialist (FIS) and Eligibility Specialist (ES). The FIS worked with cash assistance family cases and were expected to perform home calls and monitor family progress. The ES worked with Medicaid/Food Stamp only cases and other non cash-assistance cases.
During this time, FIS were trained in strength based/solution-focused techniques and other ways to help families overcome the barriers they have in reaching self-suffiiciency. While many FIP
families faced barriers such as lack of transportation and child day care, others needed assistance in developing skills such as budgeting and time scheduling or improved self-esteem.
New Program Requirements
New sanction policies were implemented during the first year of Project Zero. FIP clients who did not cooperate with employment and training expectations were not eligible for cash grants or food stamps beyond an initial 60-day eligibility period. Clients who initially cooperated with Work First employment and training expectations and subsequently failed to cooperate had their grant and food stamps reduced by 25 percent. If they were still not cooperating after four months, their case was closed. This became statewide policy for the Family Independence Agency in April 1997. As Project Zero progressed during 1997-2000, FIS and ES replaced specialty workers in all Michigan counties.
Project Zero continued to be rolled out in new in new locations across the state in October 1997. The project became statewide in October 2000 and is currently operating in 102 discrete counties and Wayne county districts.
For rollout information, visit the monthly Data Monitoring Packets / Earned Income Reports.
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