In 1996, only 30% of poor children who lived apart from their fathers received financial support. That year, welfare reform addressed this hard fact, stepping up efforts to collect child support. However, increased child support alone will not be enough. Further support, economic incentives, and revised child support policies are needed to enable…

This study investigated the effects of housing assistance received by children between the ages of 10 and 16 at some point during the period 1968-1982 on four outcomes experienced in adulthood: (1) welfare receipt between ages 20-27; (2) earnings above poverty between ages 25-27; (3) total earnings between 25-27; and (4) educational attainment at…

This review attempts to consider all publicly available studies that examine employment outcomes for people who have left welfare. Only studies that describe their methodology clearly and report survey response rates of 50% or higher are included, for a total of 11 studies reviewed. These studies cover various geographic areas, labor market…

Noting that a central tenet of the 1996 welfare reform law was that work was the best way to improve the lives of single parents and their children, this fact sheet summarizes research on the impact of parental work on children in families receiving welfare. The fact sheet delineates key research findings from experimental studies of the effects…

Since Congress passed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act in 1996, Kansas has dramatically reduced its welfare roles. Noting that achieving self-sufficiency is the real measure of success in combating poverty, this study examines welfare reform efforts in Kansas. To gather information, United Way member agencies and…

A reply to an article in the April 1973 issue of "Commentary" magazine entitled "Black Progress and Liberal Rhetoric" written by two researchers, Ben J. Wattenberg and Richard Scammon; the author employed the same Census Bureau figures and other data used by Wattenberg and Scammon and arrived at opposite conclusions. (Author/JM)

Predicts a bleak future of universal, high-quality, non-discriminatory day care. Excerpted from Child Welfare Leagues's Study of the Expansion of Day Care in the United States: Final Report'' published by the Child Welfare League of America, Inc. in 1972. (DS)

Study assesses impact of job training on individuals and institutions. (Editor)

Despite a tightening job market and a shortage of matching funds by the states, the Work Incentive Program made good progress last year. (BH)

A follow-up was made of the welfare payments received by welfare clients who had received job-finding counseling. At the six-month follow-up, welfare payments had been reduced by about one-half for the Job Club clients vs. 15 percent for the control group. (Author)

Many eligible persons, especially those with the lowest incomes and the greatest need for assistance, are precluded from receiving benefits because of program inaccessibility. The problem of inaccessibility and nonparticipation is examined. Action by policymakers to help solve this problem is called for. (Author)

Focuses on three income support programs: unemployment insurance, public assistance, and food stamps, and examines the extent to which low income groups, particularly blacks, participated in these programs, the factors responsible for the nonparticipation of many poor, and the adequacy of support provided to participants in these programs.…

Policies aimed at reducing welfare dependency have concentrated on helping heads of families go back to work. This article suggests work and marriage are both significant in determining movement on and off the welfare rolls and also suggests income maintenance proposals should include incentives for work and family stability. (Author)

Presents results of a study using national survey data that indicates that maternal employment in families that had previously received welfare does not hurt children's social or cognitive development and may improve their situations. Outcomes were better for those whose mothers earned higher wages. (SLD)

Suggests four criteria (efficiency, return on investment, incentives, and equity) for evaluating and comparing public programs for poor children, and provides an overview of information available on eight large federal programs using these criteria. Positive effects of some programs are noted, and policy recommendations the evidence supports are…