Examined the relationship between the length of time worked by mothers receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children and three categories of variables. Only economic factors appeared to significantly affect the mothers' decision whether to work. (Author)

The Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) welfare-to-work program in California was evaluated by the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC). The evaluation relied on involvement of stakeholders, examination of program implementation, flexibility, the adaptation of evaluation questions and designs during the study, use of random…

Discusses the new welfare law's elements that affect low-wage labor: work requirements, time limits, relaxed protections, and expanded state authority. Outlines high-road versus low-road policies in terms of economic development, human resource development, and administration. (SK)

Presents a case study of an application of an ecological model of career development in counseling a welfare recipient woman regarding her career. Discusses details of the proposed intervention for career counseling, information on possible problems and issues in counseling, and challenges faced by welfare recipients regarding their career.…

Reviewed general outcome indicators using a conceptual framework from the program evaluation literature to summarize findings and issues from the domain of welfare policy in the United States. The review illustrates the new knowledge gained about the effects of requiring work and suggests questions that must be answered. (SLD)

State workfare programs offer home economists the opportunity to gain public policy experience while improving the welfare of families. An additional benefit is the opportunity to educate legislators, social workers, state officials, the media, and the public about the work of home economists. (SK)

Project Transition screens, trains, and places welfare recipients in fast food restaurant jobs. Training focuses on employee responsibility for managers' expectations and on behavior that will raise those expectations of new employees. (SK)

Access to higher education can be an important path to success for low income women. Recommendations for institutions include self-study and awareness of policy/legislation; linking of government and institutions; awareness of stereotypes; needs assessment; program development; advocacy and student participation; evaluation and follow-up; and…

In the Dayton (Ohio) Literacy Project, female welfare recipients in adult basic education meet with college students to increase the women's reading, writing, and speaking skills and help them come to think of themselves as "knowers." (SK)

Presents a comprehensive evaluation framework and applies it to a family empowerment program in Montana that was developed as an aspect of welfare reform. The framework encompasses seven areas from developing objectives to developing a sound conceptual framework. (SLD)

A study of women who went off welfare between 1997 and 1998 (n=753, 693) showed that those with the most work involvement over the year had higher levels of financial and subjective well-being. Regardless of work involvement, substantial numbers reported serious economic difficulties and financial strain. Many still needed income supplements and…

Interviews with seven women before and 6 months after leaving welfare revealed barriers to self-sufficiency (low wages, lack of advancement opportunities in jobs, confusion about program regulations) and survival strategies (continued reliance on income and family support, banking of care benefits under the 5-year limit as a safety net). (SK)

A sociolinguistic analysis was conducted of a job-training program for female welfare recipients that simulated construction work sites. The instructor encouraged trainee responsibility for learning. Negotiation and purposeful talk helped develop competence. (SK)

Suggests that poor U.S. women and children are marked by signs of discipline and punishment that cannot be erased. These are systematically produced through current forces of socialization and discipline and 18th-century exhibitions of public mutilation. Poor single welfare mothers and their children are physically inscribed, punished, and…

Examined benefits of the federal Comprehensive Child Development Program (CCDP) as a function of socioeconomic and welfare status. Found that more families in the CCDP left Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) than control families. The CCDP produced benefits for children whose parents were not receiving AFDC, who tended to choose…