What Works Clearinghouse

Section 413 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 613) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(k)

Development of what works clearinghouse of proven and promising approaches into move welfare recipients to work

(1)

In general

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall develop a database (which shall be referred to as the What Works Clearinghouse of Proven and Promising Projects to Move Welfare Recipients into Work) of the projects that used a proven approach or a promising approach in moving welfare recipients into work, based on independent, rigorous evaluations of the projects. The database shall include a separate listing of projects that used a developmental approach in delivering services and a further separate listing of the projects that used an approach in delivering services that was proven to be ineffective in achieving positive outcomes. The Secretary shall add to the What Works Clearinghouse of Proven and Promising Projects to Move Welfare Recipients into Work data about the projects that, based on an independent, well-conducted experimental evaluation of a program or project, using random assignment or other research methodologies that allow for the strongest possible causal inferences, have shown they are proven, promising, developmental, or ineffective approaches. (2)

Criteria for evidence of effectiveness of approach

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and organizations with experience in evaluating research on the effectiveness of various approaches in delivering services to move welfare recipients into work, shall— (A)establish criteria for evidence of the effectiveness of the approaches used in the demonstration projects; and (B)ensure that the process for establishing the criteria— (i)is transparent; (ii)is consistent across agencies; (iii)provides opportunity for public comment; and (iv)takes into account efforts of Federal agencies to identify and publicize effective interventions, including efforts at the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the Department of Justice. (3)

Definitions

In this subsection: (A)

Approach

The term approach means a process, product, strategy, or practice that is— (i)research-based, based on the results of one or more empirical studies, and linked to program-determined outcomes; and (ii)evaluated using rigorous research designs. (B)

Proven approach

The term proven approach means an approach used in a demonstration project conducted under this section that— (i)meets the requirements of a promising approach; and (ii)has demonstrated significant positive outcomes at more than 1 site in terms of increasing work and earnings of participants, reducing poverty and dependence, or strengthening families. (C)

Promising approach

The term promising approach means an approach used in a demonstration project conducted under this section— (i)that has been used in the project or elsewhere for at least 3 years; (ii)that meets the requirements of subparagraph (D)(i); (iii)that has been evaluated using well-designed and rigorous randomized controlled or quasi-experimental research designs; (iv)that has demonstrated significant positive outcomes at only 1 site in terms of increasing work and earnings of participants, reducing poverty and dependence, or strengthening families; and (v)under which the benefits of the positive outcomes have exceeded the costs of achieving the outcomes. (D)

Developmental approach

The term developmental approach means an approach used in a demonstration project conducted under this section that— (i)is research-based, grounded in relevant empirically based knowledge, and linked to program-determined outcomes; (ii)is evaluated using rigorous research designs; and (iii)has yet to demonstrate a significant positive outcome in terms of increasing work and earnings of participants in a cost-effective way. (4)

Funding

Of the amounts made available to carry out section 403(b) for fiscal year 2018 and each succeeding fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve such funds as are necessary to carry out this subsection.