This brief summarizes the other briefs in this series and includes some additional material. It describes four broad strategies: (1) new work opportunities for TANF recipients, (2) administrative strategies, (3) TANF policy changes, and (4) creation of new programs.

Examines New Jersey’s efforts to identify and provide services to TANF clients with health and behavioral problems. Estimates the prevalence of specific problems, the extent to which line staff identify clients with these problems, and the fraction of clients referred to relevant...

Concern for families reaching the time limits imposed under welfare reform has led states to develop strategies for addressing the needs of this hard-to-employ population. Ramsey County, in the St. Paul area of Minnesota, implemented the Intensive Integrated Intervention project to reduce the...

Reviews and synthesizes what is known about the drop in Medicaid and food stamp participation, as well as the reasons for the decline and potential strategies for increasing participation. The report finds evidence of barriers to access and participation, some predating welfare reform and some...

This paper uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth to examine young women's work experiences over a fixed period to gauge how much additional work can be realistically expected from young welfare recipients. The analysis suggests that, even if states succeed in getting the most...

Examines welfare offices' use of "intermediaries"--private or public organizations that act as brokers between the welfare system and employers--noting that a broad range of organizations act as intermediaries, including nonprofit and for-profit organizations, public sector agencies, and...

Some TANF recipients may have disabilities that would qualify them for the specialized employment preparation services Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies provide. This brief explores the benefits and challenges of linking TANF and VR services, describes partnerships that have been formed in...

The implementation of more stringent sanctions as part of welfare reform has been accompanied by interest in how sanctions are used and their outcomes. This report analyzes how TANF sanctions have been implemented in Illinois, New Jersey, and South Carolina, based on six key tasks: informing...