The Department of Labor public service employment programs designed to create more jobs for unemployed people and to provide services to the community, have encountered many problems. However, those served by the programs have been pleased with the benefits. Much money has been appropriated, but unemployment has been reduced only slightly. Problems with the employment programs include: too little money in relation to unemployment; funds were not always used to create new job opportunities; relatively few participants obtained permanent, unsubsidized jobs; some program objectives were compromised due to the recession; and ineligible participants got into the program.

Handbook for public employers in the USA explaining participation in the public sector employment programme - comments on recent legislation which provides public finance to eligible applicants agreeing to create employment opportunities in needed public services, and for temporary employment, training and employment services as an emergency measure against unemployment, and includes special provisions for American Indians.