In 1987, Florida anticipated the federal Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Program with Project Independence, a statewide welfare-to-work program. It was structured to increase employment among Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) recipients as quickly as possible, primarily through job search activities. An evaluation was begun in 9 counties randomly selected from among the state's 25 largest in terms of AFDC caseloads; the research sample consisted of more than 18,000 single parents. The organizational capacity of local programs differed in several important dimensions, including number and characteristics of staff, caseload sizes, service availability and quality, and child care availability. The project achieved substantial compliance with its participation mandate--75 percent of those required to participate in the program attended orientation. Fifty-six percent of those who attended orientation went on to participate in a job search, education, or training activity. The project increased first-year earnings by nearly 7 percent and reduced first-year AFDC payments by nearly 7 percent. The program's effects were concentrated among single parents with school-age children; their earnings increased by 11 percent. Single parents with younger children (aged 3-5) experienced a 5 percent reduction in welfare payments but no significant increase in earnings. (Appendixes include supplemental tables and 18 references.) (YLB)