An Intervention for Welfare Recipients with Substance Abuse Problems
This evaluation is assessing the effectiveness of two contrasting intervention
approaches being implemented in New Jersey to treat substance abuse and related
problems in welfare recipients. The two interventions are “care
coordination” (a limited triage and referral system) and “intensive
case management” in which more extensive services are provided to encourage
entry and retention in substance abuse treatment. The evaluation is using
a random assignment design and outcomes are being assessed related to employment
and earnings, substance use, and related family issues (such as involvement
with child protective services).
The following reports are available from the study:
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Intensive Case Management Improves Welfare
Clients' Rates of Entry and Retention in Substance Abuse Treatment
Executive Summary. (January 2001)
States are struggling to develop innovative strategies to effectively address
substance abuse in the context of welfare reform. This report presents
preliminary findings of a study conducted in New Jersey comparing the rates
of welfare clients' entry and retention in substance abuse treatment for
two contrasting intervention approaches: Care Coordination and Intensive
Case management. Preliminary findings clearly indicate the benefits of providing
intensive case management services over a more limited triage and referral
system.
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Specialized Screening Approaches Can Substantially
Increase the Identification of Substance Abuse Problems Among Welfare
Recipients Executive Summary. (January 2001)
This report describes the results of two approaches to screening for substance
abuse among TANF recipients in New Jersey. Results suggest that a generic
approach to screening in welfare settings — one that relies primarily
on caseworkers administering paper and pencil measures as part of benefit
eligibility determination — is useful, but that specialized screening
programs can substantially increase case identification rates. Specialized
screening programs utilized in two counties are described.
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Barriers to Employability Among Women on TANF with a Substance Abuse
Problem [forthcoming]
Additional reports will be forthcoming in 2002 and 2003.
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Last updated: 07/09/02