Citation URL: http://www.urban.org/JulieIsaacs

The authors of this paper—longtime federal budget and policy experts—were drawn together by a deep concern about the nation's long-term fiscal outlook. Despite diverse philosophies and political leanings, they found solid common ground and agree that unsustainable deficits in the federal budget threaten the health and vigor of the American economy and the first step toward establishing budget responsibility is to reform the budget decision process so that the major drivers of escalating deficits—Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—are no longer on autopilot. The paper provides specific policy recommendations and outlines the reasons action is critical.

This report describes the exceptional challenges faced by some families that make it difficult for them to seek employment or to sustain employment over the long term. This report summarizes information from case studies in eight state and local programs that have expanded the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) program or have developed programs outside of the welfare system to address the needs of these families. Furthermore, the report examines the issues that are important to consider when designing such programs.

Return to list of authors