Studies
This library hosts materials developed by Switchboard and by former Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-funded technical assistance (TA) providers (most in fiscal years 2016-2018, with selected earlier materials). This library links materials externally where: their formats were incompatible with internal hosting; they were developed by current ORR-funded TA providers; or they were developed by non-ORR funded authors who granted permission for the links.
Author Definitions
Vocational Training for Adolescent English Language Learners in Newcomer Programs: Opportunities or Isolation?
Publication Year:
Outcome area(s): Workforce integration
Intervention(s): English language course combined with vocational training.
Relevant ORR Program(s): Refugee Career Pathways
Direction of Evidence: Positive impact
Strength of Evidence: Suggestive
Type of Study: Suggestive evidence
This article presents findings from a qualitative study of newly arrived immigrant students attending mainstream vocational courses through a high school newcomer program in the southern United States. As educators turn to vocational options for instructing linguistically diverse students, this project carefully considers how students experience participation in such programs. This project considers the questions: …
Predictors of Unemployment in Refugees
Publication Year:
Outcome area(s): Workforce integration
Intervention(s): Vocational training
Relevant ORR Program(s): Refugee Career Pathways
Direction of Evidence: Positive impact
Strength of Evidence: Suggestive
Type of Study: Suggestive evidence
Refugees have an increased risk of unemployment. We initially examined 83 unemployed refugees in Austria (mean age 34.01 years, s = 10.04), 42 of whom attended vocational training courses and 41 of whom did not. At the time of assessment some months later, 37 participants (44.6%) were employed and 46 (55.4%) were unemployed. We used sociodemographic variables …
Young refugees in prevocational preparation classes : Who is moving on to the next step?
Publication Year:
Outcome area(s): Workforce integration
Intervention(s): Langauge training and pre-vocational training
Relevant ORR Program(s): Refugee Career Pathways
Direction of Evidence: Positive impact
Strength of Evidence: Suggestive
Type of Study: Suggestive evidence
Since 2015, an enormous number of refugees have migrated to Germany. To obtain qualifi ed jobs, many of them attend prevocational preparation classes. The aims of these classes are mainly the acquisition of German language skills and preparation for subsequent vocational education and training. This paper examines (1) the transitions of young refugees after prevocational …
Young refugees in prevocational preparation classes : Who is moving on to the next step? Read More »
The effect of a career development programme based on the Hope-Action Theory: Hope to Work for refugees in British Columbia
Publication Year:
Outcome area(s): Workforce integration
Intervention(s): Career development training
Relevant ORR Program(s): Refugee Career Pathways
Direction of Evidence: No impact
Strength of Evidence: Moderate
Type of Study: Impact evaluation
The purpose of this study was to assess the proximal and distal outcomes of a career development training programme for refugees that was developed based on the Hope-Action Theory (HAT). Adopting an experimental design, proximal outcomes such as self-efficacy, hope-action competencies, job search clarity, and career adaptability were assessed three times; and distal outcomes including …
Free Full TextA case study of financial literacy and wellbeing of immigrants in Lloydminster, Canada.
Publication Year:
Outcome area(s): Economic empowerment
Outcome(s): Financial Capabilities
Intervention(s): None
Relevant ORR Program(s): Not applicable
Direction of Evidence: No evidence about impact
Strength of Evidence: Suggestive
Type of Study: Suggestive evidence
The sources of financial literacy education accessible to immigrants to Canada and the link between immigrant’s financial literacy and financial decisions could impact their welfare and Canada’s population growth negatively. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to explore sources of immigrant’s financial literacy education immediately they arrive Canada and the link between …
A case study of financial literacy and wellbeing of immigrants in Lloydminster, Canada. Read More »
Paid Full TextThe effectiveness of smartphone apps in improving financial capability.
Publication Year:
Outcome area(s): Economic empowerment
Outcome(s): Financial Capabilities
Intervention(s): Smartphone app
Relevant ORR Program(s): Matching Grant
Direction of Evidence: Positive impact
Strength of Evidence: Moderate
Type of Study: Impact evaluation
This study is the first to assess whether smartphone apps can be utilised to improve financially capable behaviours. In this study four smartphone apps, packaged together under the title ‘Money Matters’, were provided to working-age members (16–65 years) of the largest credit union in Northern Ireland (Derry Credit Union). The smartphone apps consisted of a …
The effectiveness of smartphone apps in improving financial capability. Read More »
Free Full TextTrauma-informed Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): A randomized controlled trial with a two-generation impact.
Publication Year:
Outcome area(s): Economic empowerment
Outcome(s): Financial Capabilities
Intervention(s): Financial education combined with trauma-informed peer support
Relevant ORR Program(s): Matching Grant
Direction of Evidence: Positive impact
Strength of Evidence: Moderate
Type of Study: Impact evaluation
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) has limited success in building self-sufficiency, and rarely addresses exposure to trauma as a barrier to employment. The objective of the Building Wealth and Health Network randomized controlled trial was to test effectiveness of financial empowerment combined with trauma-informed peer support against standard TANF programming. Through the method of …
Free Full TextFinancial education interventions targeting immigrants and children of immigrants: Results from a randomized control trial. The Journal of Consumer Affa
Publication Year:
Outcome area(s): Economic empowerment
Outcome(s): Financial Capabilities
Intervention(s): Financial education
Relevant ORR Program(s): Microenterprise Development
Direction of Evidence: Inconclusive or mixed impact
Strength of Evidence: Moderate
Type of Study: Impact evaluation
We document that immigrants in the United States differ from natives in several aspects relevant for their financial decision making. Based on these differences, we designed novel financial education materials targeted at US immigrants and their children and evaluated their effectiveness using a randomized control trial. To the best of our knowledge, this is the …
Free Full TextIntegrating financial capability into employment services: Literature synthesis
Publication Year:
Outcome area(s): Economic empowerment
Outcome(s): Financial Capabilities
Intervention(s): Financial Capability Interventions
Relevant ORR Program(s): Microenterprise Development
Direction of Evidence: Positive impact
Strength of Evidence: Strong
Type of Study: Systematic review
This literature synthesis describes the current state of knowledge relevant to existing and potential efforts to deliver financial capability interventions together with education and training (E&T) programs. It is part of a larger study that aims to build more systematic evidence for policymakers and practitioners about the extent, forms, and practices of placing financial capability …
Integrating financial capability into employment services: Literature synthesis Read More »
Paid Full TextA systematic literature review to identify successful elements for financial education and counseling in groups.
Publication Year:
Outcome area(s): Economic empowerment
Outcome(s): Financial Capabilities
Intervention(s): Financial education
Relevant ORR Program(s): Microenterprise Development
Direction of Evidence: Positive impact
Strength of Evidence: Strong
Type of Study: Systematic review
This study reviews the literature available on contents, form, and effectiveness of group-based programs for combined financial education and counseling aimed specifically at populations at risk for financial difficulties. Despite the widespread application of these programs, relatively little is known about their effectiveness. In general, evidence points to positive effects of several programs on knowledge, …
