Wendy, Program Participant
CEO is one of the only evidence-based employment programs dedicated to working with individuals who have recently returned home from incarceration. CEO has partnered with multiple research firms to conduct major external evaluations of its work.
Published in 2025 by MDRC, is an impact study of CEO's Returning Citizens Stimulus Program
Published in 2012 by MDRC, is a random assignment study of CEO’s recidivism and employment outcomes.
A fidelity study conducted by MDRC and released in 2016 demonstrating CEO’s ability to replicate its successful outcomes in multiple communities. Participants said that the program's most essential and distinctive elements were its structure and the support of its staff members.
Used a quasi-experimental design to measure recidivism and employment outcomes for CEO participants in New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, and Albany. The employment results released in 2018 show that three years post-enrollment, CEO participants were 48 percent more likely to be employed than the comparison group. Recidivism results released in 2015 are consistent with previous recidivism impact findings as CEO-NYC participants were 19 percent less likely to be re-convicted or re-arrested for a felony three years post-enrollment.
Outcomes Analysisis a quasi-experimental study conducted by Harder+Company. Published in 2015, the evaluation found that CEO San Diego participants were less likely than their comparison group members to return to local custody or be charged with new crimes.
Center for Employment Opportunities: Increasing employment and reducing recidivism for formerly incarcerated adults in Philadelphia.
In April 2020, the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) conceived and implemented the Returning Citizen Stimulus (RCS) program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With over $24 million distributed, it is the largest-ever conditional cash transfer to formerly incarcerated individuals. The study showed that that a reentry cash transfer program is a feasible model for the public sector to consider.
In addition to undergoing multiple independent evaluations, CEO is a data-informed organization that routinely analyzes its own performance data to identify ways to continuously improve its programs.
Reduction in recidivism
Tax payer benefits for every $1.00 spent on the program
Reduction in incarceration for new crime
Reduction in recidivism
Increase in employment rates at 12 months
Increase in employment rates at 36 months
Reduction in new felony charges
Reduction in new criminal charges
Reduction in returns to custody