When TANF was created in 1996, the program imposed new requirements on states to compel welfare recipients to work and place time limits on their benefits. It also offered states substantial flexibility in meeting these federal requirements. As we enter TANF's second decade, it is useful to...

The study examined public attitudes toward and understanding of comparative effective research (CER). Six focus groups were conducted with consumers in three major cities to examine the extent of familiarity and understanding of CER.

Examines program start-up experiences and highlights a concern over restrictive eligibility criteria that exclude some with serious employment barriers who could benefit from welfare-to-work services. Also available in HTML format at http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/wtw/index.htm

Final report from the first rigorous study of four employment retention programs shows that broad case-management approaches alone are unlikely to promote employment success. Notes that future program designs may need to explore more structured services, incentives for participants, or stronger...

Examines local WtW evaluation sites as the end of the grant period nears. Found that administrators were quite positive about the program, saying that it improved interaction between WIA and TANF agencies, increased local program capacity to serve welfare recipients and noncustodial parents in...

Helping low-income families in rural areas find gainful employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency is an ongoing policy concern. The Rural Welfare-to-Work Strategies demonstration is using rigorous experimental designs to build knowledge about how to help low-income families in rural areas...

This study, designed to examine whether innovative approaches can improve employment and other outcomes for rural low-income people, is examining specialized programs in Illinois, Nebraska, and Tennessee. Based on a largely qualitative assessment of program implementation, the authors note that...

Reports on what is known about why eligible low-income working and elderly households don't participate in the Food Stamp Program, and recommends a national survey to assess the extent of the problem and develop an appropriate policy response.

Examines the post-PRWORA labor market experiences of low-wage workers, using the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).