Welfare Reform: Publications

Welfare Reform Publications

Updated December 2004

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State Policy Choices Policy Briefs

States and Tribes Building New Traditions Series: Welfare Reform on Tribal Lands- Examples of State-Tribal Collaboration (January 2004, by Andrea Wilkins)

Reservation unemployment has had a long-standing role of providing social services to poor families, often under contract with state or local government.

Job Retention and Advancement Strategies (May 2003, State Policy Choices, by Courtney Jarchow)

Welfare programs are shifting from helping welfare recipients gain employment to helping welfare recipients maintain employment. Steady employment can help move parents toward self-sufficiency; however, many former welfare recipients and low-income workers struggle to keep their jobs.

Substance Abuse and TANF (April 2003, State Policy Choices, by Andrea Wilkins)

Recent studies have estimated that anywhere from 5 to 35 percent of parents on TANF have a substance abuse problem that impedes their ability to work and leave welfare. This policy brief explores ways states can help parents get treatment and become self-sufficient.

Disabled Parents and TANF (March 2003, State Policy Choices, by Andrea Wilkins)

Physical and mental health problems are some of the most common barriers to employment reported by parents who remain on welfare. Many TANF recipients experience a health problem severe enough to prevent work but not severe enough to qualify for disability assistance. States will want to focus on ways to help those capable of work move into jobs and to provide the necessary assistance for those who cannot reasonably be expected to work.

Strengthening Marriage and Two-Parent Families (February 2003, State Policy Choices, by Courtney Jarchow)

Many policymakers are considering using TANF funds for state marriage initiatives. Research indicates that healthy marriages have positive affects on children, adults and communities. This policy brief highlights some of the research and examines state policy options designed to encourage healthy marriage, strengthen fragile families, improve marriageability and talk to welfare recipients about the importance of two-parent families.

Programs that Serve Children in Low Income Families (November 2002, State Policy Choices, by Andrea Wilkins and Lucy Dwight)

One aim of welfare reform was to reduce welfare dependency among recipients, including children. Several states have used welfare funds to develop programs that serve the needs of low-income families, help break the cycle of poverty and promote positive development among adolescents. State innovations include programs designed to improve parenting skills; provide family support; promote positive academic, emotional and social development among children; and reduce the occurrence of teen pregnancy.

Time Limited TANF Recipients (July 2002, State Policy Choices, by Andrea Wilkins)

Placing limits on how long families could receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits was a significant change brought on by the 1996 federal welfare law. It replaced the ongoing cash assistance system to one focused on moving parents into work and self-sufficiency. This policy brief reviews state time limit policies, their effect on families and the key policy issues states face.

Strategies for Hard-to-Serve TANF Recipients (June 2002, State Policy Choices, by Andrea Wilkins)

Vocational training and job placement efforts are not always enough to move the hard-to-employ off the welfare rolls. Incorporating thorough assessments and specialized efforts into state welfare reforms is key to promoting self-sufficiency among this population.

Faith-Based Initiatives (May 2002, State Policy Choices, by Courtney Jarchow)

Faith-based organizations have historically provided social services. "Charitable choice" has led to increased collaboration with the faith community as policymakers have begun to recognize how religious entities can contribute to welfare reform.

Domestic Violence and Welfare Reform (July 2001)

Although domestic violence occurs in all socioeconomic classes, women on welfare are especially likely to be affected. The Family Violence Option was included in the 1996 welfare reforms to allow states to this barrier without penalty while they provide services.

Magazine Articles

Welfare Reform: Doing Well, Trying To Do Better (January 2003, State Legislatures Magazine)

Welfare reforms have been quite successful, but there's much more to do. Moving ahead in tight budget times, however, is a daunting task for lawmakers.

Welfare and Wedding Vows (April 2003, State Legislatures Magazine)

Some legislators want to use welfare funds to strengthen marriages; others have questions.

From D.C. to Des Moines - The Progress of Welfare Reform (April 2001, State Legislatures Magazine)

What states have already done had been successful. Now it's time to address the harder challenges posed by those who can't leave the rolls.

Building New Paths out of Welfare (April 2000, State Legislatures Magazine)

Many state legislatures are realizing that sending some welfare recipients to college may be a better option than just getting them any old job.

More Than Just "Welfare" (February 2000, State Legislatures Magazine)

States are transforming welfare from cash assistance to a variety of services to strengthen poor families.

Families Leaving Welfare Policy Series

Use of Non-Cash supports by Former TANF Recipients (July 2003, Families Leaving Welfare, by Andrea Wilkins)

The majority of former TANF recipients leave welfare for work. Although earnings are the primary source of support for most of these families, most employed parents do not earn enough to lift their families out of poverty. Use of non-TANF support services-such as Food Stamps, Medicaid and child care assistance-can make the difference between a family living above or below the poverty level and remaining off welfare.

Time Limited TANF Recipients (July 2002, State Policy Choices, by Andrea Wilkins)

Child Care Experiences of Former Welfare Recipients (May 2002, Families Leaving Welfare, by Andrea Wilkins)

Effective welfare reform requires expanded child care services. Lack of child care is one of the most commonly cited barriers to employment by former recipients. This policy brief synthesizes the results of states' leaver studies to evaluate the child care experiences of individuals who have left welfare.

Employment Experiences of Former Welfare Recipients (May 2002, Families Leaving Welfare, by Courtney Jarchow)

State and federal welfare reform policies of the 1990s encouraged families to leave welfare for work. This policy brief investigates the employment experiences of former welfare recipients, including employment trends, types of jobs available, career advancement, and earnings gains.

Tracking Welfare Reform: Designing Follow-up Studies of Recipients Who Leave Welfare
This issue brief is based on a presentation and discussions that occurred at a conference sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Governor's Association, and the American Public Welfare Association. The brief is designed to provide suggestions on how to structure follow-up studies that examine the experiences of former welfare recipients.

State Poverty Policies Newsletter

NCSL's State Poverty Policies newsletter is a bi-monthly publication that addresses current issues affecting low-income families.

May/June 2004

State Poverty Policies Vol. 2, No. 3 This newsletter features information on policy choices for fragile families, how some states are distributing child support via debit cards, and Tribal TANF child support regulations.

March/April 2004

State Poverty Policies Vol. 2, No. 2 This newsletter features information on child care funding and policy changes, an innovative domestic violence program, and Senate movement on welfare reform reauthorization.

January/February 2004

State Poverty Policies Vol. 2, No. 1: This newsletter features information on providing human services in tight budget times, teens and family formation in welfare, and prospects for welfare reform reauthorization in 2004.

November/December 2003

State Poverty Policies Volume 1, No. 6, features an article on state welfare legislation enacted in 2003, information on state budget cuts and reductions in assistance, and state trends related to marriage among welfare recipients. It also includes information on welfare reform reauthorization legislation and summaries of recent news stories and research related to the National Survey of America's Families series on low-income families."

September/October 2003

State Poverty Policies Volume 1, No. 5, features an article on tribal TANF programs, information on spending cuts and proposed cuts to TANF and child care programs and state trends related to faith-based organizations providing social services. It also includes information on NCSL's stance on proposed changes to the earned income tax credit, summaries of recent news stories and research related to the administration of TANF programs.

July/August 2003

State Poverty Policies, Volume 1, No. 4, features an article on programs for low-income fathers and a description of two innovative local programs - one that serves SSI applicants and one for individuals with health problems that hinder work. It also includes information on the most recent TANF extension and summaries of news articles and research related to child well-being and welfare.

May/June 2003

State Poverty Policies, Volume 1, No. 3, features an article on state welfare spending, trends in the earned income tax programs and an innovative homeownership program for immigrant populations. It also includes an update on the federal CARE Act, and summaries of recent news articles and research related to low-income families.

March/April 2003

State Poverty Policies, Volume 1, No. 2, features an article on fragile families and marriage, trends in human services budget cuts and individual development accounts. It also includes new information on recent developments in the federal welfare reauthorization debate and summaries of welfare-related news articles and research.

January/February 2003

State Poverty Policies, Volume 1, No. 1, features an article on substance abuse and welfare reform, trends in the food stamp program and services for incarcerated fathers. It also includes summaries of recent news articles and research related to low-income families.

For more information on welfare reform issues, please contact Jack Tweedie in the Denver office at 303.364.7700 or cyf-info@ncsl.org or either Sheri Steisel or Lee Posey in the D.C. office at 202.624.5400 or fedhumserv-info@ncsl.org.