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Delivering welfare-to-work services in county social service organizations: an exploratory study of staff perspectives
- Authors:
- AUSTIN Michael J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Administration in Social Work, 33(1), January 2009, pp.105-126.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This exploratory study explores the perceptions of staff about the factors influencing their implementation of welfare policy by looking at the views of 292 line staff, specialists and supervisors involved in the CalWORKs programme between 1998 and 2002. This programme was designed to help recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) move from welfare into work. Data were collected through a web-based survey and indicate that several factors affect staff perceptions of their ability to serve clients: work environment; resources; characteristics of clients; staff control over service provision; and staff knowledge and skills. The implications for practice and future research are identified.
Strategies for engaging adults in welfare-to-work activities
- Authors:
- VU Catherine M., ANTHONY Elizabeth K., AUSTIN Michael J.
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 90(4), October 2009, pp.359-366.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 reauthorised the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) block grant program through 2010 and expanded work participation standards by putting increased pressure on states to meet stricter work participation requirements. If states fail to meet these requirements they could face severe federal fiscal sanctions. This article analyses the major findings from a literature review on engagement strategies for the welfare-to-work population, outlining the implications for meeting participation requirements and helping families achieve self-sufficiency from a program perspective. Findings are examined from the research literature about two categories of engagement strategies - the labour force attachment approach, and the human capital development approach. The labour force attachment approach includes participant-focused strategies that motivate and encourage participation, utilising comprehensive assessments, individualised service planning, and access to other services. Organisation-focused strategies, reflected in the human capital development approach, are used within organisations to achieve broad engagement by clearly defining current and potential participants and identifying the time period in which participation will be measured. Much like participant-focused strategies, organisation-focused approaches need to assess what is functional in the current system to transition a wide range of program participants from welfare to work, find ways to build on these strengths, and make recommendations for improvement.
Innovative programmes and practices emerging from the implementation of welfare reform: a cross-case analysis
- Authors:
- PRINCE Jonathan, AUSTIN Michael J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Community Practice, 8(4), 2001, pp.1-14.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philapelphia, USA
Following welfare reform implementation, human services agencies are transforming themselves as they change their function from determining in the USA eligibility to enhancing employability. Most new programmes are removing barriers to work force participation and facilitating self-sufficiency, while most community partnerships are providing a variety of support services. Administratively, human service agencies are incorporating private-sector organisational development functions, merging with other agencies, blending funding streams, and linking adult and child welfare services. This paper highlights innovative programmes and practices emerging from welfare reform implementation, examines cross-cutting themes within a social development framework, and concludes with a discussion of challenges and lessons learned in the change process.