Research and/or Program Evaluation
Policy Analysis
Goal
Generate and analyze qualitative data about the effects of welfare reform on families and individuals. Produce policy recommendations for improving the welfare system.
Program/Policy Description
The project represents a qualitative evaluation of the national welfare system. Faces of Change elicited narratives from 210 individuals and families throughout the country, describing how their lives and hopes have changed as a direct result of local changes entailed by welfare reform. These narratives have been written down in the language of the impacted people by the local Alliance agency staff who are working with them.
Recipients/participants/clients
Former recipients ("leavers")
Subgroups Analyzed
Pregnant/parenting teens
Single parent families
Persons diverted from welfare
Low-wage workers
Persons with substance abuse problems
Low-income households
Minority populations
Sample Size and Unit
Random sample of 210 personal narratives of welfare recipients served by family service agencies from 50 communities in 19 states and the District of Columbia.
Execution
Response rate not applicable.
Sites Studied
Alabama;
California;
Connecticut;
District of Columbia;
Delaware;
Florida;
Georgia;
Illinois;
Indiana;
Iowa;
Massachusetts;
Michigan;
Minnesota;
New Jersey;
New York;
North Carolina;
Ohio;
Pennsylvania;
Texas; and
Wisconsin
