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Washington State TANF Exit Study

General Information

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Evaluator(s) Washington Department of Social and Health Services
Investigator(s) Jean Du (Washington Department of Social and Health Services)
Jay Ahn (Washington Department of Social and Health Services)
Mark Gardner (Washington Department of Social and Health Services)
 
Domain Income Security/TANF
Status Completed (final report released)
Duration Oct 1998 - Sep 1999
Type Research and/or Program Evaluation
Program/Policy Description This project will address three populations: those who leave welfare, those who are diverted, in this case through cash payments, and those who appear to be eligible but do not enroll. The study has two major purposes: to examine client well-being post welfare; and to examine in detail those factors associated with client success or failure in attaining self-sufficiency once off the rolls. Linked administrative data will be used to track three cohorts: a pre-TANF cohort from the fourth quarter of calendar 1996; an early implementation cohort from fourth quarter 1997; and a full implementation cohort from fourth quarter 1998. TANF data will be linked to data from food stamps, Medicaid, child support, child welfare, unemployment insurance, and the State Basic Health plan from at least 12 months before exit until at least 12 months after. The second cohort will include a sample of continuing cases for comparison. Finally, a mixed-mode survey with 1300 cases sampled and approximately 1000 completed interviews is planned for the third cohort.
Notes Definition of leavers: Closed two months
Visit the Washington WorkFirst Website.

This project is an ASPE-funded "Leavers" study.

 
Last Updated 11/20/03
Type of Summary Unreviewed
Contact(s) Jay Ahn (ahnj@dshs.wa.gov)
Washington Department of Social and Health Services
PO Box 45400
(T) (360) 413-3058
(F) (360) 413-3495
Submitter(s) Jay Ahn (ahnj@dshs.wa.gov)
Washington Department of Social and Health Services
PO Box 45400
(T) (360) 413-3058
(F) (360) 413-3495

Populations Studied

Target Population Former recipients ("leavers")
Persons diverted from welfare
Subgroups Analyzed Single parent families
Sample Size and Unit Cohort 1: Leavers, formal cash divertees, and eligibles not enrolled Q4 1996- pre-TANF administrative data and results of earlier State Baseline survey, at least 12 and perhaps 24 months of follow-up for final report.

Cohort 2: Leavers, formal cash divertees, and eligibles not enrolled Q4 1996- pre-TANF administrative data and results of exit cohort survey.

Cohort 3: Leavers, formal cash divertees, and eligibles not enrolled Q4 1996- pre-TANF administrative data (including CW) and a new survey in April-May 1999 (1300 sampled, 1000 completed).

Execution Response rate: 73%

Sites Studied

Washington-statewide

Program Components, Policies, and Activities Evaluated

Social/Support services

Diversionary activities

Post-Program activities

Variation in program components across sites? No

Outcomes Assessed

Housing

Standard of living

Service utilization

Sanctions

Income security

Health/ physical well-being (including prenatal health)

Employment

Benefit termination

Child Outcomes

Types of Studies

Type Descriptive/Analytical Study
 

Data Sources

Source Administrative data
 
Source Survey
 

Findings Available

Final Descriptive/Analytical Findings

Recommendations

Existing Publications

03/01/00 Washington State TANF Exit Study: A Study of Washington State TANF Leavers and TANF Recipients, Findings from the Administrative Data and the Telephone Survey, Summary Report. WA DHHS
03/01/00 Washington State TANF Exit Study: A Study of Washington State TANF Leavers and TANF Recipients, Findings from the April-June 1999 Telephone Survey, Final Report WA DHHS
02/01/00 Washington State TANF Exit Study: A Study of Washington State TANF Leavers and TANF Recipients, Welfare Reform and Findings from the Administrative Data, Final Report WA DHHS
04/01/99 Washington State TANF Exit Study: A Study of Washington State TANF Departures and Welfare Reform, Interim Report WA DHHS