The Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) is launching an exciting and innovative research study that will provide Philadelphia families the opportunity to receive extra income to support their goals and aspirations.

The study is by invitation only and is not open to the public. If selected to participate in this study, here is what you need to know:

What is the GROW Study?

CEO has commissioned a study to understand how additional income for Extended-TANF beneficiaries enrolled in Work Ready programming impacts their well-being, thus the name Guaranteed Resources for Optimal Wellbeing, or GROW. Over a 12-month period, 300 JEVS Work Ready participants will receive monthly payments. The study team consists of staff from Reinvestment Fund, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the Mutual Aid Network. Fund for Guaranteed Income (F4GI) will distribute the payments.

What is the purpose of this study?

The main goal of this study is to understand how additional income supports the well-being of Philadelphia’s Work Ready participants receiving Extended-TANF benefits.

How long is the study? 

The initial monthly payments will be made to Work Ready participants in June 2023. The final payments will be made in May 2024.

How did I get selected to be in the study?

There was no application process. As of December 31, 2022, selected participants were actively enrolled with JEVS Work Ready and were entered into a lottery to be part of the study. They were then randomly selected to participate in the study.

Do I have to participate?

No. Participation in the study is completely voluntary. Your decision will have no impact on your status with JEVS, TANF, or the Work Ready program.

If I say yes, what’s next?  

To participate, you must attend an orientation session to the study to officially enroll. Once enrolled, you will have the option to complete four online surveys over the course of the study and participate in up to six interviews with representatives from the study team.

What role do JEVS case counselors play in the study? 

None.

Do I have to let JEVS know I am part of the study?

No, you do not have to disclose your participation, and you will still receive the same services from JEVS whether you agree to participate or not.

What if I have more questions?  

For more information, contact David Pate at pated@uwm.edu or 414-251-6552. You may also contact CEO at CEO.GROW@phila.gov.