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For at least three decades, policymakers have struggled to promote work among welfare recipients, while continuing to protect these vulnerable families from economic deprivation. At first, work-oriented services were offered on a voluntary basis to a narrow range of recipients. Over time, participation in work-focused activities became mandatory, initially for recipients with no young children and, eventually, for a very broad share of the welfare caseload.

Welcome to the home page of the Three-City Study, an intensive study in Boston, Chicago, and San Antonio to assess the well-being of low-income children and families in the post-welfare reform era.

Representatives of state legislatures and public welfare administrators have urged the 107th Congress to extend the program of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for 3 years, through FY2005. The National Governors Association (NGA) also has recommended an extension longer than one year. TANF now is operating under temporary spending authority that expires December 31, 2002 (P. L. 107-229, H. J. Res. 111). Along with NGA, the American Public Human Services Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) say action is needed before the end of this Congress to ensure program continuity.