Demographics of the EIDP Participants

Number of participants = 1,648

Gender: 53% male and 47% female

Age Range: 18 - 76 years

Level of Education
< high school 34%
high school 30%
Some college 29%
AA degree 4%
BA Degree 4%
Some Graduate 2%
Advanced Degree 1%

Transcript

Let’s look at some of the background features of the EIDP participants. Over 1,600 individuals entered the program. Approximately half were male and half were female. Their ages ranged from 18-76 years with a mean age or average age of 38 years. Yes, individuals who were in their 60's and 70's did want to work. People in vocational programs should keep this in mind when developing programming for older adults.

In terms of their ethnicity, approximately half were Caucasian, with one-third African American; 14% were Hispanic; and the remainder were members of other ethnic groups. The language of origin for most of the participants was English with 85% of the participants speaking English. However, 15% had a primary language other than English and that was usually Spanish.

Over a third of the participants had not completed high school. Another third had completed high school, and the remaining third had some college, an AA degree, BA degree, or some graduate education. At the time of entry into the program, half were living independently in their own apartments or in houses. The other half were living with some level of assistance. Twenty-three percent were living with and supported by family; 10% were in assisted living situations; 14% were residing in institutions or facilities; and the remaining 3% of the participants were homeless at the time that they entered the EIDP. Only 10% were married or living as married, and 22% resided with children under the age of 18.