The Connecticut Jobs First welfare reform initiative, implemented statewide in 1996, includes a 21-month time limit on cash assistance, generous financial work incentives, and other features. Its primary goal is to reduce welfare use and increase self-sufficiency through work. To facilitate evaluation of the program, between January 1996 and February 1997, several thousand welfare applicants and recipients were assigned, at random, to one of two groups: the Jobs First group, or the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) group, which is subject to the prior welfare rules. Data collected in early 2000 from the program's implementation and estimates of its impacts on employment, public assistance receipt, income, and other outcomes was analyzed to determine the Jobs First's impact after 3 years. Key findings were the following: (1) Jobs First continues to have a positive impact on employment; (2) Jobs First generated substantial reductions in cash assistance receipt and payments in Year 3; (3) the Jobs First and AFDC groups had about the same average income in Year 3, although, consistent with the program's goals, the Jobs First group derived a greater proportion of its income from earnings; (4) the most impressive employment gains continue to be experienced by the most disadvantaged subgroup; and (5) only a small fraction of the Jobs First group received benefits continuously through the 3 years, and many of those who did worked while on welfare. A final evaluation will follow the groups for 4 years and examine Jobs First's impacts on the children of participants. (KC)