Family Well-Being

This guide serves three purposes: First, it assists state policymakers and others in understanding what the Medicaid statute and regulations require of states in terms of Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, redetermination, notice and appeal rights, and other program and policy areas.

Between 1996 and 2001, welfare cases declined nationally by 52 percent, while child-only cases declined by much less. Thus, while the number of child-only cases has fluctuated over time, their proportionate share of the TANF caseload has increased. Children in TANF child-only cases with relative caregivers occupy uncertain territory between the TANF and the child welfare service systems.

Prepared for: David NielsenOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation(ASPE)U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

By: Fredrik Andersson, Julia Lane, Erika McEntarfer   Research Brief (in PDF format) Executive Summary

This report summarizes what is known about the measurement of material hardship and its application to research with low-income families with children. It discusses challenges in defining and measuring material hardship, reviews how such measures have been in recent research, and presents analyses of data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).

Prepared for: Julia IsaacsU.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

By Martha J. Zaslow, Sharon M. McGroder, and Kristin A. Moore

In 1994, Minnesota began testing a major welfare reform initiative that emphasized financial incentives for work, a participation requirement for long-term recipients, and the simplification of rules and procedures for receiving public assistance. MDRC conducted an in-depth evaluation of the Minnesota Family Investment Program's effectiveness and impact on various populations served.