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.
-
Intensive
Case Management Improves Substance Abuse and Employment Outcomes of Female
Welfare Recipients: Preliminary Findings, (September 2002)
[This report is on the ACF web site.]
This report is based on a study conducted in New Jersey comparing two contrasting
intervention approaches for substance abusing women on welfare: Care Coordination
and Intensive Case Management. Earlier reports indicated that providing Intensive
Case Management services compared to a more limited triage and referral system
increased rates of entry and retention in substance abuse treatment during
the first 3 months post admission. The purpose of this report is to present
treatment entry and retention rates 9 months post admission as well as
preliminary substance abuse and employment outcomes.
-
Barriers
to Employability Among Women on TANF with a Substance Abuse Problem
(in
PDF
format)
[This report is on the ACF web site.]
The purpose of this study was to learn more about the substance abuse problems
and other barriers to employment of women on TANF who were identified as
being dependent on alcohol or other drugs. The study examined the nature,
severity, course, and treatment needs for substance abuse problems in this
population. The study also assessed problems in seven other areas thought
to be barriers to employment. Because most women on TANF experience some
barriers to employment, the study compared women with a substance abuse problem
to those without a problem. This comparison allowed us to study and determine
whether substance-abusing women were more impaired than other women on welfare
across important domains related to employment. Finally, the study examined
the well-being of children based on mother's self-report.
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Last updated: 11/09/05