Employment Supports/Asset Building
RESEARCH AND EVALUATIONS - 2005 ARCHIVE
This section provides resources on TANF support services such as child care, financial incentives, education, transportation and health.
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- General Topic
- Child Care
- Child Support
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
- Education
- Food and Nutrition
- Health
- Housing/Economic Development
- Individual Development Accounts
- Kinship Care
- Mentoring
- Transportation
General Topic
Welfare Reform: More Information Needed to Access Promising Strategies to Increase Parents’ Incomes, December 2005
Due to caseload reductions from welfare reform, GAO conducted this report to review how to increase the income of TANF recipients through employment and key factors to implementing income support, and reviews what action HHS has taken to utilize these strategies.
To view or download: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06108.pdf
TANF and Asset Building: State and Federal Policy Recommendations to Promote Savings and Asset Building for TANF Recipients, November 2005
This brief reviews policy recommendations to help TANF recipients achieve self sufficiency through asset building.
For more information, please see: http://www.newamerica.net/files/Doc_File_2705_1.pdf
Low-Income Consumers' Energy Bills and Their Impact in 2006, October 2005
From Economic Opportunity Studies, this article shows the impact of increasing energy costs on the low income population. Authors also offer a comparison of the energy burden across income categories, and found that the resource available for LIHEAP is not enough to support energy costs in low-income households.
To view or download: Download Document
Banking the Unbanked: Helping Low-Income Families Build Financial Assets, September 2005
Although the welfare reform of 1996 was successful in moving many clients from welfare to work, low-income workers still need additional supports to reach self-sufficiency. By gaining financial literacy and building assets, low-income families can move out of poverty. Assets help reduce instability caused by financial hardships. This article reviews information on helping low-income families achieve assets such as home ownership.
To view or download: Download Document
Region VI Domestic Violence Spotlight Newsletter, Volume VI, Issue 1 Administration of Children and Families, 2005
This newsletter highlights issues of importance in the Dallas area. Included are articles on Meth addiction, human trafficking, drug abuse awareness, domestic violence, and substance abuse treatment.
For more information, please see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/region6/docs/spotlight_vol6_iss1.html
Child Care
"The Senate's $6 Billion Child Care Provision: A Critical, But Modest, Investment.", April 2005
In March, the Senate passed the PRIDE bill, which included $6 billion for child care assistance in federal funds. This article explores the history on child care subsidies and the importance of federal funding.
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Effects of Welfare and Employment Policies on Young Children: New Findings on Policy Experiments Conducted in the Early 1990s, 2005
This article reviews findings from a study of the effects of parents' employment and income on young children. The study found that, overall, younger children, between the ages of 2 and 5, show small improvements in their school achievement when their parents participate in a program that includes earnings supplements, a benefit that is reduced as program effects on parents' economic outcomes decline.
To view or download: Download Document
Stability and Change in Child Care and Employment: Evidence from Three States, 2005
This article, through MDRC, reviews trends of child care use over time and examines various ways in which it might be considered unstable by changing providers or by dropping care for a month or more. It concludes by measuring the association between child care instability and employment instability.
To view or download: Download Document
Child Support
The Child Support Program: An Investment That Works, July 2005
Revised to include 2004 data, this article through the Center for Law and Social Policy reviews how child support enforcement programs can help families achieve self-sufficiency.
To view or download: Download Document
The Interaction of Child Support and TANF: Evidence from Samples of Current and Former Welfare Recipients, January 2005
With the welfare reform of 1996, moving families off welfare and into self-sufficiency became a key focus. While child support can provide necessary supports for women moving off welfare, the interaction between the divisions of child support and welfare is crucial to helping support low-income families on their path to self-sufficiency. This article, through MDRC, evaluates the status of welfare recipients in the child support system.
To view or download: Download Document
Handbook on Child Support Enforcement: Answers to Your Questions, 2005
This guide was written for people working through Child Support Enforcement (CSE) offices, and provides guidelines and steps for receiving child support for families. State CSE agencies are committed to providing voluntary in-hospital paternity acknowledgement, child support guidelines for determining child support orders, and other services for families.
For more information, please see: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/pubs/2005/handbook_on_cse.pdf
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The Tax Code as Social Policy in Rural America, December 2005
Through the Rural Policy Research Center, this resource reviews how the federal tax code can help to support low-income people in rural communities. This paper focuses on federal tax credits in two states relative to agricultural subsidies. The author concludes by reviewing opportunities and challenges in an increased effort to use the tax code to enhance well-being in rural communities.
To view or download: Download Document
Earned Income Tax Credit Louisiana Initiative: Helping Families Rebuild After Hurricane Katrina, November 2005
In July 2005, Louisiana Department of Social Services held a planning meeting to build on the success of the EITC campaign to prepare for the 2005 tax year. However, with the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the target population for EITC/CTC outreach relocated outside of the State. Due to the change in target population, this Roundtable was convened to update and amend program strategies in response to the Katrina, to assess the capacity of community organizations to provide free tax assistance services, and to determine how to provide critical outreach to displaced families in the 2006 tax season.
Download Report [PDF - 2,768 KB]
How Do Tax Policies Affect Low Income Workers?, October 2005
This brief reviews federal taxation policy and how it can affect low-income workers and families. By reviewing trends, the taxes paid by low-income families with children has declined; however, taxes paid by low-income individuals without children has not changed over time.
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Who Gets the Child Tax Credit?, October 2005
Through the Urban Institute, this article reviews information about the Child Tax Credit, which is the largest federal cash assistance program for children. The tax credit provides over $46 billion in subsidies to families with children every year. This paper examines the distribution of the CTC based on income and reviews disparities among race or ethnicity.
To view or download: Download Document
EITC and Microentrepreneurs: One Program's Experience, September 2005
This bulletin reviews a microenterprise development organization in California. This company provides tax preparation in an effort to build assets for the low-income population through the Earned Income Tax Credit.
To view or download: Download Document
Providing and Funding Financial Literacy Programs for Low-Income Adults and Youth, September 2005
This article reviews principles and funding information for financial literacy programs for low-income individuals and outlines effective approaches to providing financial literacy.
To view or download: Download Document
Tax Subsidies to Help Working Families in Cities, June 2005
Authored by Alan Berube, William G. Gale, and Tracy Kornblatt, this paper examines federal tax policy in relation to building assets for low-income people in cities. Federal tax policy can play a significant role in the wellbeing of families in cities.
To view or download: Download Document
Innovations for Scale and Sustainability in EITC Campaigns, February 2005
This series of reports, as part of the Aspen Institute's Economic Opportunities Program and funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, explore various lessons learned from innovative approaches to EITC campaigns across the country. The series covers pilot projects, financial literacy in the workplace, connecting asset-building to Workforce Development One-Stops, market research and asset development strategies, partnering with commercial tax preparation firms, and using technology.
For more information on the following programs, please see:
Bringing Financial Empowerment to the Workplace
Lessons for Community Development from Two Years of Pilots
Paying the Price? Low-income Parents and the Use of Paid Tax Preparers, February 2005
This article, through the Urban Institute, summarizes information on the Earned Income Tax Credit, a federal program that supplements wages to lift working people out of poverty. Although the Earned Income Tax Credit has been successful in bringing money back to low-income families, many people are unaware of the program or use paid tax preparers to file their returns. The use of paid tax preparers is problematic because it reduces the amount of tax refund to the family.
To view or download: Download Document
Pennsylvania Earned Income Tax Credit Meetings, February 2005
The purpose of this conference was to collaborate on federal assistance programs, to encourage use of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and to promote self-sufficiency among needy families. It provided information to inform clients on asset-building strategies for families. By promoting job preparation, work, and marriage, dependency on government programs would be reduced.
To view or download: Download Document [PDF - 4,697 KB]
The Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit for People Who Work: Make Tax Time Pay, 2005
This toolkit from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities includes information for conducting an effective EITC campaign. The materials will be updated for Tax Year 2006 for outreach efforts.
For more information, please see: http://www.cbpp.org/eic2005/index.html
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Supporting the Working Poor in Creating Long-Term Self-Sufficiency
[PDF - 529 KB]
Education
Resources for this subtopic have not yet been posted.
Food and Nutrition
Food Stamp Caseload Dynamics: A Study of Four Big Cities, December 2005
This research from MDRC reviews caseload dynamics for food stamps in Cuyahoga County, OH; Los Angeles, CA; Miami-Dade County, FL; and Philadelphia, PA. The data reviewed caseload data from 1993 to 2001, and found that across all sites, the food stamp caseload declined. Additionally, it was found that most recipients receive food stamps for at least seven months.
To view or download: Download Document
Hunger and Homelessness Survey: A Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America's Cities, a 24-City Survey, December 2005
This research includes 24 cities and the status of hunger and homelessness from the US Conference of Mayors. The research is based on information from the cities on the demand for emergency food and shelter and the capacity to handle the need, the causes of hunger and homelessness, programs to combat hunger and homelessness, the availability of affordable housing, and the outlook for the future.
For more information, please see: http://www.usmayors.org/hungersurvey/2005/HH2005FINAL.pdf
Reaching Those in Need: State Food Stamp Participation Rates in 2003, November 2005
This article, by Mathematica Policy Research, for the Food and Nutrition Service, reviews the participation rates in 2003 for food stamps. While the numbers vary across states, about 56 percent of eligible people in the United States received food stamps in 2003.
To view or download: Download Document
Empirical Bayes Shrinkage Estimates of State Food Stamps Participation Rates in 2000-2002 for all Eligible People and the Working Poor, October 2005
This resource, through Mathematica Policy Research, reviews the state food stamp participation rates to measure the effectiveness of the food stamp program and the program's ability to reach its target population.
To view or download: Download Document
The Real Cost of a Healthy Diet, Healthy Foods are out of Reach for Low-Income Families in Boston, Massachusetts, August 2005
The Boston Medical Center conducted this research to identify if the nutritional needs of low-income families are being met by food stamps. In Boston, low-income families on food stamps are unable to afford the variety of foods required for a healthy, balanced diet.
For more information, please see: http://dcc2.bumc.bu.edu/csnappublic/HealthyDiet_Aug2005.pdf
Narrowing the Food Insecurity Gap Between Food Stamp Participants and Eligible Non-Participants: The Role of State Policies, March 2005
Authored by Craig Gundersen, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University; Dean Jolliffe, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service; and Laura Tiehen, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. This report, as part of the Working Paper Series of the National Poverty Center (NPC), explores variation in State policies and data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) to analyze food insecurity rates between Food Stamp program participants and non-participants.
For more information, please see: http://www.npc.umich.edu/publications/workingpaper04/paper14/
Health
Covering Kids and Families Evaluation: Areas of CKF Influence on Medicaid and SCHIP Programs, December 2005
This report is an evaluation of grantees receiving the State Covering Kids and Families (CKF) grant. This grant sought to make state Medicaid and SCHIP policies and procedures more user-friendly for low-income families, including eligibility, retention, enrollment and coordination. This article reviews the policy changes that resulted from grant in the eyes of the state officials.
To view or download: http://www.rwjf.org/files/research/CKFpermanencereport.doc
Congressionally Mandated Evaluation of the State Children's Health Insurance Program: Final Report to Congress, October 2005
This report, co-authored by Mathematica Policy Research and the Urban Institute, reviews findings from the congressionally mandated evaluation funded by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). The study focused on SCHIP programs in ten states around the country by drawing on case studies and surveys of SCHIP recipients.
To view or download: http://www.mathematica-mpr.com/publications/pdfs/schipcongress.pdf
Housing/Economic Development
Homeless Counts in Major US Cities and Counties, December 2005
This data sheet, through the Institute for the Study of Homelessness and Poverty, lists the most recent homeless count, percentage of homelessness, and the percentage of chronic homelessness for major urban cities and counties around the US.
To view or download: http://www.weingart.org/center/pdf/200512-city-county-homeless-counts.pdf
Hunger and Homelessness Survey: A Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America's Cities, a 24-City Survey, December 2005
This research includes 24 cities and the status of hunger and homelessness from the US Conference of Mayors. The research is based on information from the cities on the demand for emergency food and shelter and the capacity to handle the need, the causes of hunger and homelessness, programs to combat hunger and homelessness, the availability of affordable housing, and the outlook for the future.
For more information, please see: http://www.usmayors.org/hungersurvey/2005/HH2005FINAL.pdf
Easing the Transition: Housing Assistance for Rural TANF Recipients, November 2005
This article, through the Housing Assistance Council, reviews the extent to which housing assistance is reaching TANF recipients in rural areas. Only 30 percent of TANF recipients are receiving housing assistance, which can prove to be a huge financial burden for these families. For many, who earn about $15,000 a year on average, housing costs can reach up to 58 percent of their income.
To view or download: http://www.ruralhome.org/manager/uploads/EasingTheTransition.pdf
Raising Hope with Jobs-Plus: Promoting Work in Seattle Public Housing During a HOPEVI Redevelopment, October 2005
This report is an evaluation by MDRC of the Seattle Jobs-Plus Community Revitalization Initiative for Public Housing Families. This initiative provides employment opportunities for residents of public housing. The program uses on-site employment programs, peer networking with neighbors, and a rent policy so that residents can keep more of their earnings. This evaluation summarizes the program's effect on employment and earnings.
To view or download: http://www.mdrc.org/publications/416/full.pdf
The Family Permanent Supportive Housing Initiative: Family History and Experiences in Supportive Housing, August 2005
This article is an evaluation of the Family Permanent Supportive Housing Initiative and its role in meeting long-term needs of formerly homeless families in permanent supportive housing.
To view or download: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/411220_FPSHI.pdf
Public Housing Transformation and the 'Hard to House', June 2005
This article deals with the need for housing with the shrinking resources available to assist those who are "hard to house," which include grandparents caring for grandchildren, families with a disabled member, families with multiple barriers, and larger families.
To view or download: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/311178_Roof_9.pdf
Spanning the Neighborhood: The Bridge Between Housing and Supports for Families, June 2005
This report reviews the programs implemented to merge homeless prevention and neighborhood-based safety nets through programs run by community-based organizations. Statistics show that families entering homeless shelters are from the neighborhoods with the highest percentage of families with children living below the poverty line; the highest number of domestic violence incident reports filed with the police; and the highest percentage of families with children headed by single mothers. This article reviews the effectiveness of community-based services in preventing homelessness.
To view or download: http://www.newschool.edu/milano/nycaffairs/childwelfare/Spanning.pdf
"Why Not in Our Community?" Removing Barriers to Affordable Housing, February 2005
"Why Not in Our Community?" Removing Barriers to Affordable Housing, February 2005 This article, from HUD, provides an update on trends in State and local regulations that affect housing development and reducing barriers to affordable housing for low-income populations. By first discussing trends in the problem of affordable housing, the article then reviews recent policies from around the country to reduce regulatory barriers to housing. It concludes by providing information on actions taken by HUD on the Federal level.
To view or download: http://www.huduser.org/Publications/pdf/wnioc.pdf
Family Homelessness in Our Nation and Community: A Problem with a Solution, 2005
This resource examines the nature and causes of family homelessness and outlines approaches that communities are pursuing to provide homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing. Family homelessness is a widespread problem and is driven largely by the inability of very low-income families to afford housing. Housing stability can greatly improves a family's chances of success in employment, education and health. This paper reviews family homelessness on a national level and includes specific information to the District of Columbia metropolitan region.
To view or download: http://www.hoopsforthehomeless.org/docs/hoopspaper2005.pdf
Individual Development Accounts
Individual Development Accounts: A Tool for Achieving Family Economic Success, October 2005
Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) have been a proven mechanism for supporting low-income families on a path to self-sufficiency by promoting asset-building. Asset-building programs can use a variety of strategies and tools to help create asset wealth for low-income people. This research brief, from the National Human Services Assembly, provides the latest research on IDAs and how effective these programs are for serving families and strengthening communities.
For more information, please see: http://www.nassembly.org/fspc/practice/documents/Brief11.pdf
Can Financial Literacy Enhance Asset Building?, September 2005
This brief by the Urban Institute examines financial literacy and programs to improve financial knowledge and decision-making. By reviewing survey data on personal finance, the Institute reviews existing financial literacy programs and makes suggestions for improving financial literacy in the country.
To view or download: http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/311224_financial_literacy.pdf
Individual Development Accounts: An Asset Building Product for Lower-Income Consumers, February 2005
This article reviews the benefits of Individual Development Accounts to help low-income people save money and build assets for the future and toward self-sufficiency.
For more information, please see: http://www.occ.treas.gov/ftp/release/2005-25a.pdf
Individual Development Accounts: Helping Families Move to Self-Sufficiency
[PDF - 207 KB]
Building Family Assets from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2005
This guide illustrates ways to help families build assets such as through Individual Development Accounts, microenterprise development, financial literacy, and by using eligible tax credits like the EITC. These strategies not only help families to supplement their income, but to build assets for the long-term.
To view or download: http://www.aecf.org/initiatives/mc/tarc/pubs/pdfs/assets.pdf
Kinship Care
Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren: Family Well-Being and Economic Assistance, 2005
Grandparents raising grandchildren has gradually increased over the last 40 years. In 2000, 2.4 million grandparents were responsible for the basic needs of their grandchildren. From the Institute for Research on Poverty, this research looks at the economic well-being of families headed by grandparents and the income levels of these families, which includes the impact of public assistance benefits, such as TANF, Food Stamps, SSI, and Foster Care payments.
To view or download: http://www.irp.wisc.edu/publications/focus/pdfs/foc241d.pdf
Kinship Care: Best Practice Guidance, 2005
This website offers information from the Child Welfare League of America on increasing effective kinship programs in states and explores the role of kinship care in family preservation.
To view or download: http://www.cwla.org/programs/kinship/bestpractice.htm
Mentoring
MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, 2005
MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership has been working to improve mentoring around the country. This link provides information for organizations to initiate their own effective mentoring programs.
To view or download: http://www.mentoring.org
Transportation
High Cost or High Opportunity Cost? Transportation and Family Economic Success, 2005
This working paper, through the Brookings Institute, suggests that a personal vehicle is an investment that can contribute to better outcomes for low-income families. This report outlines opportunity cost for low-income households considering the benefits of private vehicles. As the average welfare for work recipient earns about $8 an hour, many continue to struggle to meet the needs of their family. Although a private vehicle may prove costly, the opportunity for the family is increased in terms of work, time, housing, and accessibility to support services.
To view or download: http://www.brookings.edu/views/papers/20051128waller.pdf