Findings are reported from the evaluation of the Work Incentive Program which trains women welfare recipients as electronic technicians. The participants completed the training in numbers consistent with expectations, and most graduates were placed in training-related jobs. The importance of support services is noted. (TJH)

The cost effectiveness of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act was evaluated in terms of moving economically disadvantaged individuals toward financial independence. Data analysis indicated small savings in welfare payments for female recipients, but not males. Data deficiencies in the Continuous Longitudinal Manpower Survey were also…

Reviews "Losing Ground: American Social Policy, 1950-1980" by Charles Murray. Murray believes federal social welfare programs sap the moral fiber of poor Americans by eliminating a negative incentive for them to work at low paying jobs. Criticizes Murray's position, citing the importance of positive as well as negative incentives for…

Explores the impact of various types of sponsorship on the likelihood of Indochinese refugee participation in the labor force and identifies four variables affecting employment potential: (1) age, (2) education level, (3) fluency in English, and (4) sex. Many refugees have obtained good jobs and furthered their education. (GC)

Describes the plight of teenage unwed mothers who are unable to complete school. Suggests that the best solution is alternative schools such as those in Austin, Texas, which provide additional services needed by these young mothers and which have sharply reduced the dropout rate. (CJM)

Debates the issue of voluntary artificial insemination among single women who depend on public assistance. Ooms argues that eligibility for welfare should be based on court defined criteria rather than on moral judgments, while Steinfels suggests that the welfare of the child is most important in any consideration. (Author/AOS)

The resourcefulness of poor Black female heads of households is shown in the methods they use to stretch and supplement their incomes, their ability to obtain help from their extended families, and their sharing of resources. Their responsibilities, however, lead to great emotional stress. (Author/MC)

An analysis of California's Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) work-to-welfare program did not find achievement test score improvement as a result of mandatory adult education participation. This reanalysis of GAIN impact with 581 enrollees and 500 controls finds a more positive overall impact and confirms test score improvements in one…

Welfare reform has shifted control of implementation from federal to state government. For welfare reform to adequately support all families, NAEYC posits 10 recommendations regarding quality programs, adequate funding, equitable choices for families, and data collection to measure the impact of welfare reform on children and child care. The…

Analyzed the relationship between elements of child welfare and an index of social well-being in Minnesota counties. Found that all except two rural counties and only two urban counties had negative social well-being scores. Counties with low social well-being scores tended to have larger numbers of child welfare recipients. Findings suggest that…

Examines the political movement to alter welfare behavior through changes in welfare reform and discusses the outcomes of several welfare reform initiatives. Explores welfare-to-work; Learnfare; and Learning, Earning, and Parenting. Also discusses research in social engineering efforts involving child support enforcement and time limits.…

Discusses studies on the housing outcomes of welfare recipients to examine the potential influence of welfare reform on housing instability, which influences school instability. State studies suggest that welfare reform has increased rates of family mobility, evictions, and sharing housing. Limited research suggests that housing instability and…

Examines 1984 Wyoming opinion poll. Wyoming respondents agreed welfare allocation should be based on need, but 50 percent believed welfare recipients should not receive more than minimum-wage income. Wyoming's welfare support is lower than national average. Rurality may contribute to results. Recommends ways to increase rural support for welfare…

Argues that unwed mothers should receive their primary assistance from their own families when possible and from private group homes subsidized with public funds when family assistance is unavailable. The current system of cash entitlements for unwed mothers has been a colossal failure. (SLD)

Broad-based community education strategies implemented in a rural South Carolina county to prevent unintended teen pregnancy showed reductions in pregnancy among teens from 1984-87. The reduced numbers realized a 20-year projected savings of $611,688 in public sector costs. Tables display data for this and comparison counties. (SM)