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Project Description

TSMF is a comprehensive welfare reform program aimed at strengthening the attachment to work and the movement toward self-sufficiency through employment. "TSMF 1" (between 10/1/92-10/1/94) included provisions such as earnings disregards and a "Social Contract". In 10/1/94, TSMF was expanded; "TSMF 2" included additional provisions, such as a Work First program and heavier financial sanctions for non-compliance.

Project duration: Oct 1992 - Sep 1996

Sites studied include 4 local Michigan offices:
Kalamazoo (Kalamazoo County), Michigan
Madison Heights (Oakland County), Michigan
McNichols/Goddard (Wayne County), Michigan
Schaefer/Six Mile (Wayne County), Michigan

Sample Characteristics and Sites Studied

14,718 welfare recipients (families) receiving AFDC or SFA (State Family Assistance).

Includes 9,793 ongoing cases (recipients active on welfare on 10/1/92), and 4,925 new cases (recipients certified between 10/1/92 and 9/30/94).

Random assignment of 7,234 recipients in treatment group, 7,484 recipients in control group.

Recent Findings in Brief

01/01/97: To Strengthen Michigan's Families (TSMF) Evaluation: Final Impact Report

Final Impact Findings: "TSMF continued to increase adults’ employment and earnings after four years and increased the last group’s employment by the end of one year"(v). "TSMF reduced welfare participation in all the research groups and reduced benefits for ongoing families and the middle group of families"(vi). "Adults in TSMF were generally more likely to combine work and welfare, and less likely to remain on welfare without working"(vii). "TSMF generally caused Medicaid eligibility to increase for adults in two-parent families"(vii). "TSMF increased total family income for ongoing families"(vii). "TSMF generally had no impacts on foster care placements or child abuse and neglect"(vii).

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