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Project Description

Since children make up the majority of TANF recipients, we believe that it is crucial to consider how welfare reform may affect them. We are focusing on children with the chronic illnesses of asthma and sickle cell anemia since this population is potentially more vulnerable than other children. We are specifically interested in monitoring two provisions of welfare reform in Massachusetts - work requirements and the 2 year time limit - because we believe that these provisions may have a substantial impact on families. The specific objectives are: 1) description of the welfare reform experience of families with children aged 3-16 years who have asthma or sickle cell anemia; 2) assessment of children's health status in relation to welfare experience, including work requirements, and work status of their primary caretaker; and 3) assessment of children's health status before and after benefit termination.

Project duration: Jun 1998 - Dec 1999

Sites studied include Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts

Sample Characteristics and Sites Studied

We are interviewing families of children, aged 3-16 years, who have asthma or sickle cell anemia. Target sample size is 350 families. We are obtaining baseline information on health status, welfare experience, work experience, and family hardship. Follow-up information will be obtained in 6 and 12 months.

Recent Findings in Brief

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