Evaluations

Policy Publications

Search our database of policy briefcases, bulletins, and evidence reviews. Briefcases summarize the results and policy recommendations from one randomized evaluation, while bulletins synthesize the broader policy lessons emerging from multiple evaluations on the same topic. Evidence reviews summarize an existing academic literature review, like a handbook chapter or white paper, for a policy audience.

Displaying 1-9 of 14
Row of houses in North America

Policy Brief: Housing First Programs in North America

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Last Updated:
Octubre 27, 2025
Research shows that providing housing without preconditions to people experiencing homelessness, also known as Housing First, keeps them stably housed and reduces future returns to homelessness.
Photo of the HCDI Evidence Wrap-Up publication

HCDI Evidence Wrap-up

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Last Updated:
Octubre 28, 2024
This publication describes some of the randomized evaluations supported by J-PAL North America’s US Health Care Delivery Initiative (HCDI) to date, as well as evaluations conducted by J-PAL affiliated researchers.
Doctor speaking to parent and child

The Spillover Effects of Health Care Interventions in the United States: Evidence Wrap-Up

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Last Updated:
Octubre 10, 2023
Health care policies and interventions are often designed with a specific population in mind. However, they can have effects that go beyond the specific target population. These effects are referred to as “spillover effects.” This publication showcases studies conducted by J-PAL affiliated...
Sign pointing towards emergency room

Understanding Medicaid Expansion: The Effects of Insuring Low-Income Adults

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Last Updated:
Enero 29, 2014
The Oregon Health Insurance Experiment found that covering the uninsured with Medicaid increased the use of health care, including primary care, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits; diminished financial strain; and reduced depression. There was no statistically significant impact on physical...
Young African American youth paints a mural

The Promises of Summer Youth Employment Programs: Lessons from Randomized Evaluations

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Last Updated:
Marzo 24, 2022
Summer youth employment programs are an evidence-based option for improving the lives of young people in outcome areas as diverse as criminal justice involvement, education, and youth development. J-PAL North America’s SYEP evidence review presents findings from thirteen randomized evaluations of...
Students smiling looking at white board

Sectoral Employment Programs as a Path to Quality Jobs: Lessons from Randomized Evaluations

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Last Updated:
Febrero 22, 2022
J-PAL North America’s Sectoral Employment Evidence Review summarizes an academic paper that examines four randomized evaluations of sectoral employment programs and describes the mechanisms behind their success.
A man tutors two young students

The Transformative Potential of Tutoring for Pre K-12 Learning Outcomes: Lessons from Randomized Evaluations

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Last Updated:
Septiembre 16, 2020
J-PAL’s Tutoring Evidence Review aims to serve as a resource as education leaders, policymakers, and funders work to combat the Covid-19 learning loss, improve student learning outcomes, and minimize the growth of academic disparities.

Building Capacity, Overcoming Obstacles, and Creating Evidence: An Evaluation Guide for State and Local Policymakers

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Last Updated:
Agosto 13, 2020
Since 2015, J-PAL’s State and Local Innovation Initiative has partnered with state and local governments to generate rigorous evidence on what works to reduce poverty around the United States. J-PAL North America has received more than 100 letters of interest from state and local governments across...
Brick buildings

Reducing and Preventing Homelessness: Lessons from Randomized Evaluations

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Last Updated:
Septiembre 5, 2019
J-PAL’s Evidence Review “Reducing and Preventing Homelessness: Lessons from Randomized Evaluations” highlights key research findings on policies to help people access and maintain stable, affordable housing and identifies research questions that remain to be answered. The publication synthesizes...