Evaluating Welfare Reform

Evaluating Welfare Reform PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1999-11-04

Total Pages: 159

ISBN-13: 0309184118

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The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 fundamentally changed the nation's social welfare system, replacing a federal entitlement program for low-income families, called Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), with state-administered block grants, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. PRWORA furthered a trend started earlier in the decade under so called "waiver" programs-state experiments with different types of AFDC rules-toward devolution of design and control of social welfare programs from the federal government to the states. The legislation imposed several new, major requirements on state use of federal welfare funds but otherwise freed states to reconfigure their programs as they want. The underlying goal of the legislation is to decrease dependence on welfare and increase the self-sufficiency of poor families in the United States. In summer 1998, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) asked the Committee on National Statistics of the National Research Council to convene a Panel on Data and Methods for Measuring the Effects of Changes in Social Welfare Programs. The panel's overall charge is to study and make recommendations on the best strategies for evaluating the effects of PRWORA and other welfare reforms and to make recommendations on data needs for conducting useful evaluations. This interim report presents the panel's initial conclusions and recommendations. Given the short length of time the panel has been in existence, this report necessarily treats many issues in much less depth than they will be treated in the final report. The report has an immediate short-run goal of providing DHHS-ASPE with recommendations regarding some of its current projects, particularly those recently funded to study "welfare leavers"-former welfare recipients who have left the welfare rolls as part of the recent decline in welfare caseloads.

Evaluating Welfare Reform

Evaluating Welfare Reform PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1999-12-04

Total Pages: 159

ISBN-13: 0309066492

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The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 fundamentally changed the nation's social welfare system, replacing a federal entitlement program for low-income families, called Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), with state-administered block grants, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. PRWORA furthered a trend started earlier in the decade under so called "waiver" programs-state experiments with different types of AFDC rules-toward devolution of design and control of social welfare programs from the federal government to the states. The legislation imposed several new, major requirements on state use of federal welfare funds but otherwise freed states to reconfigure their programs as they want. The underlying goal of the legislation is to decrease dependence on welfare and increase the self-sufficiency of poor families in the United States. In summer 1998, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) asked the Committee on National Statistics of the National Research Council to convene a Panel on Data and Methods for Measuring the Effects of Changes in Social Welfare Programs. The panel's overall charge is to study and make recommendations on the best strategies for evaluating the effects of PRWORA and other welfare reforms and to make recommendations on data needs for conducting useful evaluations. This interim report presents the panel's initial conclusions and recommendations. Given the short length of time the panel has been in existence, this report necessarily treats many issues in much less depth than they will be treated in the final report. The report has an immediate short-run goal of providing DHHS-ASPE with recommendations regarding some of its current projects, particularly those recently funded to study "welfare leavers"-former welfare recipients who have left the welfare rolls as part of the recent decline in welfare caseloads.

The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy

The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy PDF

Author: Joel Blau

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 544

ISBN-13: 0195311701

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The first edition of The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy reinvented the standard social welfare policy text to speak to students in a vital new way. This second edition builds on its strengths, with a more accessible graphic design and a thorough update of the effects of recent political and legislative changes on social welfare programs. The book begins by discussing how social problems are constructed. After an analysis of social welfare policy, its purposes, and functions, a unique policy model bolsters the text's overarching progressive narrative. Through this model, students learn how five key social forces-ideology, politics, history, economics, and social movements-interact both to create and to change the social welfare system. By applying this model to five critical social welfare policy issues-income security, employment, housing, health, and food-the text demonstrates to students that every kind of social work practice embodies a social welfare policy. The model is also telling in identifying the triggers of social change and the effects of race, class, and gender. By applying the policy model to the latest developments in social welfare, the chapter-long case studies in this second edition equip students with knowledge about social welfare policy and the tools for comparative analysis. With this knowledge, students begin to understand that both the whole and the parts of the social welfare system affect what they actually do as social workers. Once they grasp this concept, they'll understand why it is so important to learn social welfare policy. The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy 2E captures the fluidity and change inherent in social policy like no other textbook. Its approach remains the most invigorating, forward-thinking one available. Highlights from this edition include: * Revised data in text, charts, and graphs show how government policies are proving the points made throughout the chapters *Exhaustive statistics are included about every major social program's budget, benefits, and participants *Underlying policy model has been updated in response to the evolving political environment *Content and writing style are appropriate to both bachelor's- and master's-level programs *More graphics and attractive new two-color interior design make debates easier to grasp and the book easier to navigate Visit www.oup.com/us/dynamics for access to the instructor's manual and test bank.

Planning for Social Welfare

Planning for Social Welfare PDF

Author: Neil Gilbert

Publisher: Prentice Hall

Published: 1977

Total Pages: 426

ISBN-13:

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This book presents classic statements on major planning issues and analysis of planning models, with numerous references. The core tasks of the planner are described and analyzed in detail, with case examp- les for illustration. Also featured is a series of practical planning techniques for problem analysis, needs assessment, program design and evaluation. Decision-making aids, such as the delphi techniques and nominal group processes are explained.

Evaluating Welfare Reform in an Era of Transition

Evaluating Welfare Reform in an Era of Transition PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2001-08-10

Total Pages: 267

ISBN-13: 0309171342

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Reform of welfare is one of the nation's most contentious issues, with debate often driven more by politics than by facts and careful analysis. Evaluating Welfare Reform in an Era of Transition identifies the key policy questions for measuring whether our changing social welfare programs are working, reviews the available studies and research, and recommends the most effective ways to answer those questions. This book discusses the development of welfare policy, including the landmark 1996 federal law that devolved most of the responsibility for welfare policies and their implementation to the states. A thorough analysis of the available research leads to the identification of gaps in what is currently known about the effects of welfare reform. Evaluating Welfare Reform in an Era of Transition specifies what-and why-we need to know about the response of individual states to the federal overhaul of welfare and the effects of the many changes in the nation's welfare laws, policies, and practices. With a clear approach to a variety of issues, Evaluating Welfare Reform in an Era of Transition will be important to policy makers, welfare administrators, researchers, journalists, and advocates on all sides of the issue.

Social Policy and Social Programs

Social Policy and Social Programs PDF

Author: Donald E. Chambers

Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 276

ISBN-13:

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This popular and practical text explores the basics of social policy and program analysis, including how to design new programs or evaluate and improve upon existing ones. Highlights of the Fourth Edition Provides students with the criteria for judging the effectiveness of current programs, enabling them to apply what they've learned to improve existing programs or to create new ones. Features a model chapter that uses child welfare legislation to highlight methods of analysis and the results of the analysis, demonstrating for students the practical applications of theoretical concepts (Chapter 10). Outlines a method for analyzing personal social services generally provided by social workers, such as counseling and therapeutic, supportive assistance, as well as "hard benefits," such as food stamps, cash, or housing vouchers. What Reviewers Think: ""I found the text easy to follow...and practical in its identification of skills and information useful for practitioners in a variety of professional settings."" Carla M. Curtis, Ohio State University ""Social Policy and Social Programs provides a simple and concise model for analyzing social policies."" William E. Buffum, Barry University Don't Miss These Other Special Value Pack Option: Research Navigator(TM) "Research Navigator(TM)" can be a student's best friend when they're facing a large research project. Especially helpful with the toughest challenge--getting started--"Research Navigator(TM)" offers a comprehensive, step-by-step walk-through of the research process, along with access to some of the most respected source databases available. Access to "Research Navigator(TM)"--a $15 value--is FREE when packaged with a new Allyn & Bacon Social Work textbook! If this text did not come packaged with "Research Navigator(TM)," look for it in your bookstore or visit http: //www.researchnavigator.com today to purchase immediate access. Career Center Allyn & Bacon's "Career Center" offers registered students eight 30-minute sessions with a career specialist. This $25.00 retail value is FREE when packaged with any Social Work textbook. For more information visit www.ablongman.com/careercenter or contact your local Allyn & Bacon representative. Contact your local Allyn & Bacon representative and request a special packaging code to take advantage of these great offers.