The characteristics, earnings, employment experiences, and material well-being of California welfare recipients after leaving welfare were examined by comparing the postwelfare experiences of groups who exited welfare before and after institution of California's welfare reform program CalWORKs. The first group (pre-CalWORKs group) exited welfare in the 3rd quarter of 1996, and the second group (post-CalWORKs group) exited welfare in the 3rd quarter of 1998. Outcomes were examined for approximately 27,146 adult welfare leavers. The data sources included administrative records and interviews with a random sample of 340 of the post-CalWORKs group. Selected findings were as follows: (1) post-CalWORKs leavers were somewhat more advantaged with respect to pre-exit employment and earnings; (2) women in the post-CalWORKs group were somewhat more successful in finding and keeping work; (3) both groups generally had low earnings and little earnings growth in their first year off cash assistance; (4) overall, rates of post-exit participation in Medi-Cal increased markedly between 1996 and 1998; (5) most welfare leavers did not return to welfare within 1 year of exit; (6) those returning to welfare were less likely to have worked steadily post-exit and more likely to have relied on other government supports. (Twenty-seven tables/figures are included. A survey response analysis is appended. The bibliography lists 25 references.) (MN)