FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2002
Research Shows That Education and Training Help Welfare Recipients Become Self-Sufficient
For immediate release Contact: John Hutchins,
Monday, May 13, 2002 (202) 906-8013, jhutchins@clasp.org
Research Shows That Education and Training Help Welfare Recipients Become Self-Sufficient
Two New Reports Have Significance for TANF Reauthorization
(Washington, DC) -- The most successful welfare-to-work programs include quality education and training services for recipients in support of employment goals, according to two new reports released today by the Center for Law and Social Policy. In particular, occupational credentials gained through postsecondary education and training appear to be key to obtaining higher-paying jobs. However, current law and the welfare reauthorization bill that the House of Representatives will consider this week would discourage states from adopting these effective strategies.
Two reports were released:
· Built to Last: Why Skills Matter for Long-Run Success in Welfare Reform, by Karin Martinson and Julie Strawn, a review of recent research on welfare-to-work strategies. This review shows that the most successful welfare-to-work programs have focused on employment but made substantial use of education and training. One of these "mixed strategy" programs -- in Portland, Oregon -- far outperformed other welfare-to-work programs that have been evaluated by producing large and lasting increases in employment, earnings, job quality, and employment stability. Portland also greatly increased participation in postsecondary education and training and receipt of occupational credentials. Other studies also show that helping low-income parents increase their skills pays off in the labor market. While it can take more than a year on average to participate in both basic education and skills training, it is a worthwhile investment because the payoff is much larger than basic education or job search alone can provide. Link: http://www.clasp.org/pubs/jobseducation/Built_to_Last_final_051302.pdf
· Credentials Count: How California's Community Colleges Help Parents Move from Welfare to Self-Sufficiency, by Anita Mathur, Judy Reichle, Chuck Wiseley, and Julie Strawn, a study conducted by California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office for the Center for Law and Social Policy. This preliminary report finds that CalWORKs (California's welfare program) recipients who attend community college work more and increase their earnings substantially just one to three years after exiting college -- especially those who are in vocational programs or who obtain Associate degrees. In fact, CalWORKs students who left with a Vocational Associate degree more than doubled their earnings just one year after completing school; those who earned a vocational certificate increased earnings by 85 percent. Link: http://www.clasp.org/pubs/jobseducation/Credentials_Count_final.pdf
These studies have important implications for the current debates over reauthorization of the federal welfare program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The findings suggest that Congress should encourage states to adopt the balanced approach that California, Oregon, and other states have taken in providing a mix of employment and quality education and training services in welfare-to-work programs. Rigorous research has shown repeatedly that this is by far the most effective welfare-to-work strategy.
Unfortunately, H.R. 4700, the Republican leadership bill expected to be considered by the House later this week, would impose a narrow, "one-size-fits-all" approach on states that would sharply reduce access to education and training for welfare recipients, by effectively limiting the length of full-time training for families to 3-4 months at most. Other proposals -- including those by the Tripartisan Group of Senators and Senator Rockefeller and bills by Reps. Cardin, Mink, and Roukema -- would allow or encourage states to pursue a mixed services strategy while maintaining or increasing TANF's strong work focus.
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A national, nonprofit organization founded in 1968, CLASP conducts research, policy analysis, technical assistance, and advocacy on issues related to economic security of low-income families with children.