State says EXA program exceeded targets and CRP incentives boosted reach into BIPOC communities

The board heard results from Washington’s Economic Security for All (EXA) program and the Community Reinvestment Program (CRP), data that officials said show strong outcomes for participants with barriers to employment.

Shannon Bridal, an EXA program manager at the Employment Security Department, told the board the state program exceeded its year‑to‑date targets through Q3: "There was a statewide target of 1,900 enrollments planned for this year through Q3 and 2,817 participants were actually enrolled into the program, which is 146% above target," she said. Bridal also said partners enrolled 768 participants in training (190% of target) and 405 participants reached self‑sufficiency (146% of target).

An ESD evaluation presented by researcher Brian Feld compared EXA participants with similar WIOA enrollees and found higher employment and earnings gains among EXA participants. Feld summarized impact estimates showing an average employment‑rate increase after enrollment and quarterly earnings gains equivalent to approximately $1,000–$1,900 more per quarter for EXA participants versus similar WIOA participants.

CRP — a Commerce partnership offering incentives, matched savings accounts and business grants — was credited with expanding outreach to BIPOC communities and supporting small businesses. ESD staff reported more than $61 million invested in EXA statewide; CRP and EXA together provided incentive payments, savings matches and business grants to thousands of participants and hundreds of businesses. Staff said CRP helped increase the share of participants from Black, Latino and other communities of color in the EXA population.

Local practitioners from People for People (Yakima) and Spokane described implementation details: integrated case management, milestone incentives, co‑enrollment with BFET and other programs, and wraparound supports such as housing, transportation and childcare. Spokane staff said packaged services (training + supportive services + incentives) produced higher placement and self‑sufficiency rates for participants.

Next steps: Staff will continue evaluation and data reporting and provide written responses to board questions. Board members encouraged staff to share additional performance detail and to coordinate follow‑up answers in writing where time was limited.