Current Situation Frequently Asked Questions Publications Other Information Return to Home & Family MSUcares home page	Home & Family: Welfare Reform Current Situation On August 22, 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, the new welfare reform law that established the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Under the legislation, the states have unprecedented flexibility to design welfare programs to meet the particular needs of welfare families. In return the federal government demands new, measurable results related to moving families into work and self-sufficiency. These proposed regulations of the welfare reform bill are intended to help all welfare recipients who can go to work, and to encourage state to work with families. To support the success of welfare reform, President Clinton has already exercised leadership in initiating a new partnership with business and organizations to hire welfare recipients and established a new welfare-to-work program targeting resources to communities with high numbers of long term welfare recipients. Clinton has also secured increases in child care funding, obtained the strongest child support enforcement measures ever enacted to force deadbeat parents to support their children, and encouraged good practices by states such as expanding child care and transportation services. Educational programs are necessary to improve the long term outcomes for families who receive or who are eligible to receive public assistance. With staff in every county in the state, a pre-existing network with Community Colleges, and a strong educational component with curricula based in areas which address the needs of individuals, families, youth and communities, the Mississippi State University Extension Service can be a strong link in the development of the welfare to well-being initiative. Return to top of page Frequently Asked Questions What is TANF? How is eligibility determined for a TANF family? How much will the TANF payment be? How long can a TANF family receive benefits? Who receives Medicaid in TANF? Can teen mothers receive benefits? Who will care for my children? Return to top of page Publications Fact Sheets TAKING FAMILIES FROM WELFARE TO WELL-BEING THROUGH EDUCATION A Citizens Guide to Moving from Welfare to Well-Being Youth Development Programs Housing and Related Environmental Topics Entrepreneurial and Technical Skill Development of Low-Income Women After School Child Care and Education Program Money Management Programs Healthwise Consumer Programs Nutrition for Limited-Resource Audiences Center for Governmental Technology Community and Economic Development Programs Return to top of page Other Welfare Reform Information The following is a short list of relevant sites on the WWW that provide information and resources welfare reform and welfare-to-work issues. These sites are maintained by educational institutions or government agencies, none are commercial in nature. Mississippi Department of Human Services http://www.mdhs.state.ms.us The Mississippi Department of Human Services web site provides information on their Welfare Reform Initiatives such as Workfirst and Learnfare. Southern Rural Development Center http://www.ext.msstate.edu/srdc/ The Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) publishes an electronic newsletter called Southern Perspectives. This newsletter gives a Southern view on what welfare may means for our region, particularly for the rural communities and people of the south. Welfare Related Web Sites http://www.welfareinfo.org This web site has several linkages to institutions such as the Census Bureau, the Economic Policy Institute and the National Center for Children in Poverty that have compiled statistical information on welfare. It has addresses for welfare legislative information updates, policy debates, and it is linked to articles detailing how states are dealing with the welfare reform issues. The Urban Institute http:www.urban.org The urban Institute is a nonprofit policy research organization that investigates the social and economic problems confronting the nation and analyzes issues that enhance citizens' awareness about important public choices. The Twentieth Century Fund http://www.tcf.org The Twentieth Century Fund is an organization that sponsors and supervises research on economic, social, and political issues. The range of topics include on this site are: who receive welfare benefits, how many teenager mothers are on welfare, how does welfare affect family size, how does welfare affect out-of-wedlock births, and should welfare mothers be required to work. Administration for Children and Families http://www.acf.dhhs.gov The web site of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services has welfare reform information on administration for children and Families (ACF), its programs, organizational structure to welfare reform, child support state links. Neighborhood Network Center http:www.hud.gov/nnw/nnwwelf.html The Neighborhood Network's web site, under the category of "Other Resources," has information on welfare reform that is covered under the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, The Personal Responsibility Act, and the Safety Net. American Public Welfare Association http://www.aphsa.org The American Public Welfare Association has an in-depth analysis of the welfare reform bill. The site has discussion areas and enables individuals to "chat" with state and local staff about welfare reform implementation. Return to top of page
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