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

More than other states, Wisconsin eliminated the entitlement to cash assistance by linking receipt of welfare to work. The state's W-2 program focuses heavily on job readiness and is designed to mirror the work world. A four-tier system places recipients in different activities depending on their level of job readiness. Wisconsin also recognized child care as an important work support by creating a single child care system for all low-income working families. Wisconsin is one of the only states in our study to offer kin caring for relative children a payment through the child welfare system in place of the child-only grant usually offered by the welfare office.

Michigan implemented few major reforms since 1997, primarily because the state was a leader in welfare reform in the early 1990s. Some policy changes were made to allow current and former welfare recipients to engage in training programs, as opposed to focusing on employment only, but it was unclear at the time of the site visit if many individuals were participating in these programs. Coinciding with the drop in the welfare caseload and additional funding, Michigan did witness a large increase in child care subsidies.

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