Early and Later WFNJ Clients: Are Their Experiences Different? Work First New Jersey Evaluation.

Compares the characteristics and experiences of two groups of Work First New Jersey clients: (1) an early group that participated in the first year of program operations from July 1997 to June 1998; and (2) a later group participating from July 2000 to June 2001. Finds that caseload characteristics changed substantially during the recent period of rapid caseload decline, with a growing proportion of clients facing employment challenges. Notes that later clients initially spent somewhat less time on TANF and more time employed than earlier clients did, suggesting that the program became more effective at encouraging people to leave welfare for work during the first few years after it was implemented. Also finds that later clients received more services than early clients did, both while on TANF and after leaving cash assistance.