The purpose of this policy seminar, one of a series of family impact seminars, was to consider current and proposed policies of the federal government that concern child care. This document provides highlights of presentations by the seminar panelists and a background briefing report prepared before the meeting. The highlights section summarizes:…

One of the goals of the America 2000 initiative is that by the year 2000, all children in the United States will start school ready to learn. Child care will play a major role in the achievement of this goal due to the fact that nearly half of all preschool children spend a significant portion of time in child care settings outside of the home.…

This report presents information on the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program in light of efforts at welfare reform. Following a listing of whom to call at the Children's Defense Fund (CDF) regarding various welfare issues, the report's first section, "Basic Facts on Welfare," presents information on the AFDC in a…

Reviews possible effects of pending workforce development and welfare reform legislation on the delivery of support services to communities. Highlights structural reforms involved in state-based initiatives. Suggests that community colleges may have to reconfigure program lengths and accountability methods to adapt. (MAB)

A hearing before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs received testimony concerning the feasibility of providing direct federal funding through block grants to tribes and the ability of tribes to administer local welfare and social services programs. An Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) listed federal…

The 104th Congress seems intent on reforming the financing of federal programs and, in the process, devolving more authority for the design and delivery of supports and services to states and communities. This paper reviews the experience and lessons from the Reagan block grants of the 1980s, highlighting the similarities and differences between…

Examines stresses on the early childhood service system due to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. Discusses elimination of Aid to Families with Dependent Children; creation of state block grants, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Child Care and Development Fund; and restructuring of the Child…

Federal block grants and consolidated programs related to poverty reduction may compel states to streamline administrative structures and approaches that have deterred collaboration in the past. This report considers the block grant environment in making key policy recommendations for reducing poverty in rural areas, formulated during a Pathways…

Prepared for joint hearings on the impact of the proposed budget cuts on programs affecting children, these background materials describe the main programs which serve children in five general areas. These areas are health services for mothers and children, child nutrition programs, aid to families with dependent children, day care and other child…

The purpose of this hearing was to hear testimony on the effects of welfare reform and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant, and to examine one of the most important work supports available to low-income families, Federal child care assistance. The opening statements were delivered by the Honorable Howard P. "Buck"…

Families undergo difficulties in trying to negotiate the labyrinth of early childhood services offered in Illinois. Because of the multiplicity of programs and scarce funding, many children and families do not receive the services they need. Coordination among programs and services is also limited. This paper offers background on how the…

Examines the state of early childhood policy in the United States and presents critical policy considerations and solutions. Discusses current trends of devolution of authority to the states, block grants, and budget control. Asserts that educators must work to effect positive change rather than despair over recent policy developments. (BGC)

The 1996 welfare reform law--the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act--has contradictory aspects. It gives the states greatly increased fiscal flexibility and at the same time sets extensive and elaborate new behavioral requirements. The dynamics of welfare since the passage of the Social Security Act in 1935 have been…

The 1996 welfare reform legislation replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program with a new Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. This new program has a fixed funding level that is not altered by inflation or economic cycles or caseload size. Individual states' shares are based on the amount they…

The "new federalism" paradigm offers an explanation why the federal government has devolved much of its administration of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, formerly AFDC) and Medicaid (through managed care) programs. A review of child and family outcomes data resulting from these devolutionary changes in TANF and…