The Social Protection Team in the Human Development Network is pleased to sponsor this seminar presented by

Veronica White, Executive Director, Center for Economic Opportunity, which is overseeing the initiative for New York City
Andrea Phillips, Seedco, which is operating the program
James Riccio, MDRC, which is evaluating the program

Chaired by
Robert Holzmann, Director, HDNSP

New York City's Opportunity NYC - Family Rewards demonstration represents the first rigorous test of a CCT program in the developed world.  The program was inspired by international CCTs, particularly Mexico’s Progresa/Oportunidades program.  It incorporates important adaptations to make it suitable for a large urban environment with a well-developed social safety net.  The program’s effectiveness will be carefully evaluated through a randomized control trial.  Families are now being enrolled into the study, and cash payments will begin this fall.  Follow-up data will be collected on program and control group members through at least five years after random assignment. 
 
This seminar focused on the intervention design and evaluation strategy and very early operating experiences.  There was also the opportunity to compare and contrast this initiative with CCTs in other countries.

Presentation
"Testing a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program in New York City" (600kb pdf)