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“Nationwide, welfare dependence has decreased. Welfare caseloads decreased by 30 percent between January 1994 and September 1997 — and decreased by a larger percentage each year during this period. In addition, GAO’s analysis showed that the seven states reviewed have generally increased their job placement rates. While these results are promising, it is too early to draw definitive conclusions about the success of states’ programs because it is uncertain how states’ programs will perform as more recipients leave welfare to work and states face increasing proportions of recipients with multiple problems, or if the current strong economy undergoes a major downturn. Moreover, little is known about program impacts, such as the effect the programs have had on the well-being of children and families. Future monitoring of states’ programs will need to focus on areas such as job retention and earnings progression, children’s welfare, and family stability” (4).
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