Evidence First
56 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 16 ratingsPolicymakers talk about solutions, but which ones really work? MDRC’s Evidence First podcast features experts—program administrators, policymakers, and researchers—talking about the best evidence available on education and social programs that serve people with low incomes.
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Episodes
Sector-Focused Training That Meets the Needs of Job Seekers and Employers
February 22, 2017 20:27 - 7 minutes - 6.87 MBCan working closely with employers make job training programs more effective? Although many training programs exist, low-income individuals often cannot afford them, do not complete them, or do not obtain a marketable credential. At the same time, many employers claim that they cannot easily find people with the right occupational skills to meet their needs.
Using “Nudges” to Improve Social Programs
October 05, 2016 20:07 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBCan small changes based on the insights of behavioral science improve the effectiveness of social programs? Research has shown that small changes in the environment can facilitate behaviors and decisions that are in people’s best interest. For example, a change in the way messages or requirements are worded may increase the likelihood that program participants make positive choices. However, there has been relatively little exploration of the potential application of this science to comple...
Gordon Berlin Interviewed About the Role of Research Evidence in Shaping Social Policy
April 26, 2016 19:12 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBIn April, MDRC President Gordon Berlin was interviewed by Denver Frederick, host of the “Business of Giving” radio show in New York City, about the role of rigorous research evidence in informing how government and philanthropy invest in education and social programs. The podcast was also featured on the Chronicle of Philanthropy website. Berlin describes MDRC’s experience evaluating existing programs and developing demonstrations of new interventions. He highlights a number of current pro...
Keeping Girls out of the Justice System
December 15, 2015 18:53 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBGirls are making up a larger share of the juvenile justice system than ever before. One program that’s trying to address this issue is the PACE Center for Girls in Florida.
Transitioning to Adulthood
September 04, 2015 15:10 - 14 minutes - 20.5 MBHow do young adults fare after they age out of the foster care or juvenile justice systems? And are there services that can help these young people make a successful transition to adulthood? With funding from the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, MDRC just released results from an evaluation of the Transitional Living Program (now called YVLifeSet) run by the organization Youth Villages. The program provides intensive, individualized, and clinically focused case management, support, an...
Tackling Youth Unemployment
April 06, 2015 19:35 - 9 minutes - 13.1 MBWhat's worked to help disadvantaged youth get jobs? And how can we get more employers actively engaged in this issue? Therese Leung talks with Farhana Hossain, a researcher at MDRC, about the problem of youth unemployment.