Indiana Welfare Reform Evaluation: Study Types

Types of Studies

Type Implementation/Process Study
Aim To understand how Indiana developed its broad welfare reform goals and then translate these goals into an operational program.

To examine the program’s overall design and management at the State level, and day-to-day operations at the local level, and examine individual reform components and the mechanisms for weaving them into a coherent whole.

To monitor change over time, seeking to identify the points at which key milestones, such as moving past the “start-up” phase to a period of “steady-state” operations, are achieved.

 
Type Impact Study (Controlled Experiment)
Aim To measure whether the reform is having its intended effects on families receiving assistance. Key concerns are whether the reform: 1) increases total family income while reducing reliance on welfare, 2) enhances children’s well being, and 3) promotes responsible childbearing and family stability.
 
Type Cost-Benefit Study
Aim To assess the effects of the reform on social and economic outcomes for families and determine whether the results were financially worthwhile.