Research by Author & Topic

Publications by Douglas A. Wissoker on Poverty

This report examines the effect of the Family Independence Program (FIP) introduced in Washington State as an alternative to the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program in 1988. It looks at the impact of FIP on AFDC caseloads during the year of the FIP demonstration and during the prior year. Using the chronology of policy changes and economic and demographic factors, the authors attempt to explain the observed caseload changes of groups of welfare offices that received different policy treatment under FIP. The authors also provide background on the FIP program and discuss its important aspects.

The Washington State Family Independence Program (FIP) is a welfare reform program designed to help families become more economically self-sufficient. It was expected to increase participation in education, training, and employment, which would in turn reduce welfare participation. However, relative to traditional welfare, FIP had little or no impact on education and training, it reduced employment and earnings a little, and it increased welfare participation substantially. The authors present data gathered by the Urban Institute over five years and analyze the reasons for FIP's failure to meet its original goals.

The Washington State Family Independence Program (FIP) is a welfare reform program designed to help families become more economically self-sufficient. It was expected to increase participation in education, training, and employment, which would in turn reduce welfare participation. However, relative to traditional welfare, FIP had little or no impact on education and training, it reduced employment and earnings a little, and it increased welfare participation substantially. The authors present data gathered by the Urban Institute over five years and analyze the reasons for FIP's failure to meet its original goals.