View Research by Author - Victoria Russell

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

The Welfare Rules Databook describes the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and provides tables containing key TANF policies for each state as of July 2002, as well as tables describing selected policies from 1996 through 2002. The Databook is divided into five sections: Initial Eligibility, Benefits, Requirements, Ongoing Eligibility, and Policies across Time. The data in the tables are based on information in the Welfare Rules Database, a publicly available, fully searchable database on the Assessing the New Federalism project's website.

This study presents the findings of a 2001 survey of state kinship foster care policies, a follow-up to those conducted in 1997 and 1999. The results show that many states are continuing to offer kin leeway in, or alternatives to, the traditional foster care licensing process, yet simultaneously striving to meet the safety requirements of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA). Almost all states give preference to kin over non-kin foster parents, although states differ in how they assess and support kinship care families. Many states have instituted a stricter policy since the implementation of the ASFA final rule, and there are many kin caring for children in foster care who are not eligible to receive foster care payments.

Researchers asked child welfare administrators in all 50 states and DC how much they spent on child welfare programs in state fiscal year (SFY) 2000, how they spent the money, and where the money came from. States spent at least $20 billion on child welfare service in SFY 2000, a 20 percent increase from SFY 1998. The federal share of total spending increased to 49 percent from 45 percent in SFY 1998. Spurred by the Adoption and Safe Families Act, spending on adoptions, other services, and administration increased. Reliance on nondedicated federal funds (TANF, SSBG, and Medicaid) continued. State administrators expressed concern that budget deficits and declines in TANF funding for child welfare services since SFY 2000 may force cutbacks in an array of child welfare support services.

This report describes implementation of the DC 21st Century Community Learning Center (DC 21st CCLC) program during the summer of 2001, with a particular focus on the use of computer technology to improve academic achievement. The report is based on direct observations of activities, document reviews, interviews with program coordinators and facilitators, and focus groups with student participants. The investigation revealed that the technology appears to have been well implemented, with large numbers of well-functioning machines in almost all observed classrooms and generally positive reactions from staff and students. Student enrollment is somewhat lower than hoped, and observations suggest that the use of the Internet, pretests, and aides could be improved to better support student achievement.

Based on a survey of state TANF directors in 41 states and DC, researchers conclude that the level of collaboration between TANF and child welfare agencies in many states is a great accomplishment when compared with the limited efforts before welfare reform. For instance, 31 state TANF agencies have provided either written or verbal guidance to local TANF agencies on coordinating TANF work plans with child welfare plans. Twenty of the TANF agencies surveyed have documented policies for sharing information with child welfare agencies; 13 states have colocated TANF and child welfare staff; and 25 created joint planning or steering committees. Addressing the needs of targeted populations -- relative caregivers, sanctioned clients, families approaching time limits, and victims of domestic violence -- has been the impetus for several unique programs described in the brief.

Return to list of authors