Research Report Hard-to-Employ Parents
Subtitle
A Review of Their Characteristics and the Programs Designed to Serve Their Needs
Sheila R. Zedlewski, Pamela A. Holcomb, Pamela J. Loprest
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Many low-income parents with personal challenges that make work difficult (sometimes called the "hard to employ") seek help from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, but many do not. The most effective TANF programs offer cash assistance along with services that alleviate barriers and help clients find jobs. Other federal-state programs offer help by providing either generic employment services or specialized services that address particular challenges. Hard-to-employ parents probably fare best when they enroll in TANF and receive a holistic set of supports. A redesigned system should marshal all program resources to provide an integrated system that addresses barriers and supports work simultaneously.

Research Areas Social safety net Disability equity policy
Tags Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) State programs, budgets Disabilities and employment
Policy Centers Income and Benefits Policy Center