The research and evaluation plan is designed to monitor and evaluate the impact of welfare reform on Kentucky's families and children. The design is composed of three interrelated strategies: 1) the creation of a research and evaluation database from current and prior management information systems; 2) a panel study focusing upon the impact of welfare reform on families and children; 3) a sample survey of former K-TAP recipients who were discontinued between January and November 1997 (the survey was conducted in December 1997).

Longitudinal panel study: Random sample of 500 cases drawn from recipients receiving TANF in March 1998. The same recipients will be interviewed each consecutive year for up to five years, with approximately 200 additional recipients being added each year. This will increase the total number sampled to just under 1,500 clients and their families.