Policy Evaluation Some of the larger consequences of the TANF program have already been identified in the course of this analysis. The controversy surrounding these items have also been briefly mentioned. Still the question of how TANF has helped its beneficiaries and obtained its program goals has yet to be discussed at length. To review, TANF’s declared program goals are providing assistance to families to benefit dependent children, creating preventive policies for controlling out of wedlock pregnancy, encouraging two parent households, and reducing long term dependency on welfare through employment programs.(Kansas TANF, 2015). The real world application of these goals have fallen short of the program’s heart; but have served Americans
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The reduction in caseloads identified previously actually serves as an indicator of shifting focus away from program outcomes. The state objectives of the PRWORA are at odds with reducing or eliminating poverty. Rather, they are put in place to limit the accessibility and use of government assistance (CITE: the effects of TANF).
Likewise, TANF time limits stop families from receiving long term support even when it’s desperately needed. Those who leave the welfare system due to reaching their time limits are more likely to still be underemployed, undereducated and facing only slightly improved conditions than when they were in the program (CITE: results are more mixed, effects of time limits, work activity). Non-working welfare recipients’ rates may have declined, but non-working, non-welfare families are on the …show more content…
Altman and Goldberg (2008) attribute some of the reductions in TANF participation to recipients’ ignorance to their rights regarding welfare. This argument is strengthened by Kansas Action for Children’s 2015 report that shows a continued reduction in TANF participation even though other welfare programs saw increased participation (CITE: Kids Count somehow). This data reaffirms the success of the darker goal of PRWORA. Families who might otherwise receive benefits are discussed by the complexity of the program and the increasingly stringent restrictions placed on cash assistance in states like
The reduction in caseloads identified previously actually serves as an indicator of shifting focus away from program outcomes. The state objectives of the PRWORA are at odds with reducing or eliminating poverty. Rather, they are put in place to limit the accessibility and use of government assistance (CITE: the effects of TANF).
Likewise, TANF time limits stop families from receiving long term support even when it’s desperately needed. Those who leave the welfare system due to reaching their time limits are more likely to still be underemployed, undereducated and facing only slightly improved conditions than when they were in the program (CITE: results are more mixed, effects of time limits, work activity). Non-working welfare recipients’ rates may have declined, but non-working, non-welfare families are on the …show more content…
Altman and Goldberg (2008) attribute some of the reductions in TANF participation to recipients’ ignorance to their rights regarding welfare. This argument is strengthened by Kansas Action for Children’s 2015 report that shows a continued reduction in TANF participation even though other welfare programs saw increased participation (CITE: Kids Count somehow). This data reaffirms the success of the darker goal of PRWORA. Families who might otherwise receive benefits are discussed by the complexity of the program and the increasingly stringent restrictions placed on cash assistance in states like