Programs funded through the federal Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act sex equity set aside are required to provide occupational education in high wage, high skill, and nontraditional careers. This bulletin, one of a series reporting on Perkins Act funding in New Jersey, reports on the effectiveness of displaced homemaker and sex equity programs funded by the Perkins Act with regard to changes in the self-esteem of participants. Data were collected from 56 participants using the Coopersmith Self Esteem Inventory as the measurement tool. The sample was primarily female (96.4%). Mean test scores were significantly higher on the posttest than on the pretest for all respondents from all programs combined and for females. Self-esteem scores increased on the posttest for every age group, but none of these increases were significant. The increases for Hispanics and Caucasians were significant, but increases for Blacks were not. Positive self esteem is critical in the empowerment process for successful job performance and motivation. Since projects operating with Perkins Act sex equity set aside funds have shown continued success in increasing self esteem, these projects should be continued and expanded. (Contains 1 table, 2 figures, and 14 references.) (S)D