Bernard C. Vinge and Associates Ltd. is operating the program in British Columbia. Family Services Saint John, Inc., operated the program in New Brunswick. SHL Systemhouse Inc., Nova Scotia, developed and maintained the program's automated management information and supplement payment systems. SSP is designed to answer a number of questions about the economic outcomes and decisions of single-parent welfare recipients. In addition, SSP can address a number of other issues through various surveys of sample members.
Data come from a number of sources.
Surveys were administered to all sample members at the time of random assignment. Two types of data come from administrative records. Information on welfare payments comes from the welfare departments of British Columbia and New Brunswick. The PMIS system also provides information on other activities in the program and payment offices, including use of services by SSP-Plus program group members. The effects of the program are determined using random assignment of individuals to either a program group, that was offered SSP's supplement, or a control group, which was not.