DHHS, Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Interest in job retention and advancement among welfare recipients was heightened among government officials, social service providers, academics, and the general public when Congress enacted Public Law 104-193 on August 22, 1996. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act changed the focus of the welfare system from income support to work. There has been considerable research to date on a number of welfare-related issues including the duration of welfare spells, characteristics that are associated with long spells, and the impacts of demonstration programs that attempt to help women avoid dependency. But despite numerous evaluations, there is limited information available on the effectiveness of programs and services designed to help welfare recipients retain and advance in jobs. To help build knowledge about how best to help welfare recipients sustain employment and advance in the labor market, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued planning grants to 13 states. The Employment Retention and Advancement Project is designed to help states implement and refine their employment, retention, and advancement strategies. At the request of ACF, The Lewin Group compiled a summary of the research on the employment patterns of welfare recipients and services that have attempted to help recipients remain in jobs and advance in the labor market.

"Throughout the engagement, Lewin consultants listened to us and delivered superb analyses and thoughtful guidance–not canned solutions."  NONPROFIT HEALTH SYSTEM