POLICY IMPACTS: HOW EFFECTIVE ARE AMERICAN SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS?

THE IMPACT OF TANF: HAS NOT REDUCED POVERTY, BUT HAS IT HELPED THE POOR?

TEMPORARY ASSISTANT FOR NEEDY FAMILIES Greatly reduced the number of individuals and families on welfare, particularly adults Significantly increased the number of single mothers in the workforce Poverty rates for single mothers were declining until the recession. Has not reduced the number of poor mother-only families or acute poverty among this type of family.

TANF Work, plus the EITC, has significantly improved the income of low- income working families. The employed may still fall below the poverty level, but they are financially better off (often much better off) than they would be on welfare. While some poor families have been pushed over the poverty level, the recession has impoverished many more.

TANF CASELOADS AND SPENDING HAVE DECLINED IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD Caseloads continue to decline even as poverty has increased. TANF spending in inflation-adjusted dollars by the Federal government and the states has continued to decline even during the recession.

PRWORA HAS SHIFTED WELFARE FROM CASH TO SUPPORT SERVICES

IMPACT OF PRWORA ON WORK AND CASH WELFARE RECEIPT

CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS HAVE IMPROVED UNDER PRWORA

CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS

IDENTIFICATION OF PARENTS INCLUDING ABSENT PARENTS HAS CONSIDERABLY IMPROVED

OUT-OF-WEDLOCK BIRTHS: LITTLE PROGRESS AMONG ADULT WOMEN

REAL PROGRESS IN REDUCING BIRTHS AMONG TEENS

SOME AMERICAN SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS ARE EFFECTIVE, BUT OUR PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO BE LESS EFFECTIVE THAN THOSE IN MOST WESTERN DEMOCRACIES

SOCIAL WELFARE SPENDING Social Security and SSI are the most effective programs in reducing poverty, significantly lowering the poverty rate of the elderly. The Earned Income Tax Program is the second most effective program, significantly reducing family and child poverty. The food stamp program (SNAP) and WIC significantly lower rates of malnutrition and hunger. Still, Americans are more reliant on market income than are the citizens of other western industrialized nations.

ADDITIONAL POLICIES TO REDUCE AMERICAN POVERTY

ADULT EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING

EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

Most education and job training programs for adults have a rather poor impact. The technique that works with the poor and chronically unemployed is work-first, mandatory employment. This is the policy employed by TANF, some child support programs (mostly for males), and probation programs in most states. When work is required upon denial or loss of benefits, work rates increase. When work is required for adults who owe child support, employment increases. When employment is required as a condition of probation, the employment rate goes up. Of course, unemployment rates play an important role in the success of these programs.

LONG-TERM RATHER THAN SHORT-TERM STRATEGIES

THE EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT IT IS NOT EASY TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR; ESPECIALLY AMONG ADULTS All policy specialist know that it takes major interventions to change people’s behavior. Small interventions generally fail.

THINKING LONG TERM: USING EARLY EDUCATION TO CUT OFF THE POVERTY PIPELINE

PREPARING YOUTH FOR THE FUTURE

EDUCATING CHILDREN: THE MOST PROMISING POLICY

EFFECTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN: WHAT WE LEARN FROM KIPP, YES AND THE HARLEM SCHOOL ZONE PROJECTS

EFFECTIVE EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES

SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS: FAILURE BREEDS FAILURE Many policy specialist believe that early, well-designed education is where antipoverty policy should be focused.