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Do Reemployment Programs for the Unemployed Work for Youth? Evidence from the Great Recession in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Marios Michaelides

    (University of Cyprus)

  • Peter Mueser

    (University of Missouri, and IZA)

  • Jeffrey Smith

    (University of Wisconsin, NBER, IZA, CESifo, and HCEO)

Abstract

We present experimental evidence on the effects of four U.S. reemployment programs for youth Unemployment Insurance (UI) recipients during the Great Recession. The three programs that emphasized monitoring and service referrals reduced UI receipt but had minimal effects on employment and earnings; these programs mainly induced the early exit of participants. The fourth program, which combined mandatory job counseling with monitoring, caused the largest reductions in UI receipt and clearly increased employment and earnings. Both early participant exits and effective job counseling underlie these impacts. We conclude that policymakers should require job counseling for youth UI recipients during recessions.

Suggested Citation

  • Marios Michaelides & Peter Mueser & Jeffrey Smith, 2020. "Do Reemployment Programs for the Unemployed Work for Youth? Evidence from the Great Recession in the United States," Working Papers 2003, Department of Economics, University of Missouri.
    • Handle: RePEc:umc:wpaper:2003
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    Cited by:

    1. Marios Michaelides & Peter R. Mueser & Jeffrey A. Smith, 2021. "Do Reemployment Programs For The Unemployed Work For Youth? Evidence From The Great Recession In The United States," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 59(1), pages 162-185, January.
    2. Weller, Jürgen, 2022. "Tendencias mundiales, pandemia de COVID-19 y desafíos de la inclusión laboral en América Latina y el Caribe," Documentos de Proyectos 48610, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Youth; Great Recession; REA; WPRS; job counseling; active labor market policies; unemployment; Unemployment Insurance; program evaluation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers
    • H4 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods

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