Case Management for Self-Employment Success: Emerging Lessons from the Self-Employment Training Program

Abstract

The Self-Employment Training (SET) pilot program is testing the benefits of using case management to support aspiring small business owners. As part of case management, SET advisers at experienced, carefully vetted microenterprise providers offer program participants business development assistance that is timely, sustained, and customized. Specifically, SET advisers promptly engage participants in the program, provide monthly follow-up and assistance, and customize services based on the participants' business development needs and progress. This brief presents early findings on the implementation of SET case management, from the program's start in July 2013 through April 2015.