Early Findings About the Newest New Federalism for Welfare

The article overviews initial findings from a multi-state study on state implementation of the 1996 welfare reforms. States are responding to a law that is somewhat contradictory: it grants the states greatly increased fiscal flexibility at the same time that it sets extensive and elaborate new beha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Publius 1998-07, Vol.28 (3), p.95-103
Main Authors: Nathan, Richard P., Gais, Thomas L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Cash
FEDERALISM
Government
Information storage and retrieval systems
Labor legislation
Laws, regulations and rules
Local government
Nonprofit organizations
Public administration
Public assistance
Public assistance programs
Social policy
STATES
Studies
U.S.A
United States
WELFARE
Welfare policy
Welfare reform
Workfare programs
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Summary:The article overviews initial findings from a multi-state study on state implementation of the 1996 welfare reforms. States are responding to a law that is somewhat contradictory: it grants the states greatly increased fiscal flexibility at the same time that it sets extensive and elaborate new behavioral requirements. Among the initial findings, one of the surprises is the degree to which the 1996 reform has promoted “second-order devolution” from states to localities. It has also reinforced and heightened the emphasis on “work first, ” placing people in jobs as the first step in the welfare process with states developing a variety of innovative approaches in this regard. The most crucial challenge now is the creation of information systems to manage state and local welfare and social programs and to track recipients both during the time and after they receive cash benefits and social services.
ISSN:0048-5950
1747-7107
DOI:10.1093/oxfordjournals.pubjof.a029988