Case Workers Perspectives on the impacts of Welfare Reform and its Effectiveness on Families
Date
2001-12
Authors
McQueen, Kanice
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Abstract
Welfare reform has experienced many changes throughout its long history. Policy makers and administrators have long struggled with the question of who is supposed to take care of poor families when they are unable or unwilling to take care of themselves. And how they can make those that receive cash assistance take more responsibility for their own situation.
This study explores the components of welfare legislation and describes the attitudes of case managers regarding the implementation and impact of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) on families in Texas. The research uses descriptive categories to explore the attitudes of mandatory participation, moral and work requirements, job training and placement, the prevention of dependency, and the impacts of legislation and economic changes that welfare recipients face everyday.
The research uses a survey and interviews to examine the attitudes, perceptions and beliefs of caseworkers in Austin, Texas about welfare reform.
The key findings overall showed that caseworkers agree that welfare reform is helping families become more responsible and putting recipients to work. Nonetheless, only more time will tell if the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) will help welfare come to an end.
Description
An Applied Research Project Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Southwest Texas State University, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, Fall 2001.
Keywords
welfare reform, poor families, legislation, TANF, Texas, job training, job placement, PRWORA, Public Administration
Citation
McQueen, K. (2001). Case workers perspectives on the impacts of welfare reform and its effectiveness on families. Masters of Public Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.