Universal Engagement in Practice: Lessons from the Implementation of the Pathways Case Management System.

Pathways is a set of protocols and other tools to help welfare office staff support their clients in the transition to employment. It was launched in 1995 by Project Match and is based on the philosophy of "universal engagement" central to most TANF reauthorization proposals. This brief reviews implementation of Pathways in two counties in New York and one in California, offering insight into what might be required to achieve universal engagement as well as how systems like Pathways might become more effective tools for achieving higher work participation rates.