Early Implementation
of the
Welfare-to-Work Grants Program:

Findings From Exploratory Site Visits and Review of Program Plans

Authors:
Demetra Smith Nightingale, Terri Thompson, Nancy Pindus, Pamela Holcomb, Edgar Lee, Jesse Valente, and John Trutko

Prepared for
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, HHS
by The Urban Institute under subcontract with Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Project Officer:
Alana Landey

Project Director:
Alan M. Hershey

February 2000

This report is available on the Internet at:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/wtw-imp00/index.htm

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

A.  Background and Design of the Evaluation

1. Policy Context for the WtW Evaluation.
2. Objectives and Design of the Evaluation

B.  Status of WtW Funds Distribution

1. Federal Funding Has Been Distributed to Programs in 48 States and Territories
2. Local Programs Are Obtaining and Using Federal WtW Funds in Various Ways

C.  WtW Local Program Structure and Operations

1. PICs and CBOs Are the Main WtW Actors, but Institutional Arrangements Are Complex
2. Services Are Usually Decentralized, Even When a Single Program Model Is Adopted

D.  Welfare-to-Work Services to Participants

1. Many WtW Programs Target Particular Subgroups, but Seldom to Exclusion of Others
2. Emphasis on Job Retention and Supported Work Reflects Program Intent and Challenges

E.  Summary of Implementation Challenges and Progress

1. Early Implementation Involved Resolving a Variety of Administrative and Policy Issues
2. Logistical Issues Between TANF and WtW Grant Programs Had to Be Resolved
3. The Pace of Implementation and the Enrollment Levels in the First Year Were Modest
4. Innovative Program Strategies Are Being Implemented

REFERENCES

FOOTNOTES

APPENDIX A:  Distribution of Welfare-to-work Grant Funds, by State and Territory

APPENDIX B:  Summary Characteristics of 22 Selected Local Welfare-to-work Grant Programs

APPENDIX C:  Extent of Enhanced Work Experience in 22 Selected Local Welfare-to-Work Grant Programs

APPENDIX D:  Profiles of 22 Selected Local Welfare-to-Work Grant Programs

LIST OF TABLES

A.1  Program Responsibilities of State Agencies Designated To Receive Fiscal Year (Fy) 1998 Welfare-to-Work Formula Grant Funds

A.2  Information Sources for this Report

B.1  Timing of WtW Grants Awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor

C.1  Formal Funding of Sdas/pics in Welfare-to-Work Grants Program

C.2  Types of Entities Receiving WtW Competitive Grants

D.1  Populations Targeted by Programs with Welfare-to-Work Grant Funds in 22 Selected Local Sites

D.2  Supported Employment in Welfare-to-work Grant Programs in 22 Selected Local Sites

For a printed copy of this report, send the title of this report and a mailing address to:

Where to?

Top of page
Contents of this page

Main Page of Report
Contents of Report

Home Pages:
Human Services Policy (HSP)
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Last updated on 05/25/00