Welfare reform: Reforming welfare or reforming families?

What is the real goal of welfare reform? During the push to "end welfare as we know it," many agreed that the policy that had been in place for over 31 years needed to be replaced. The major goal of reform waste help recipients become self-sufficient by enabling them to find stable jobs with sufficient earnings, thereby breaking the cycle of dependency. In formulating such a sweeping policy, many factors must be considered: yet the perceptions, and the experiences and realities of recipients that impact their progress toward self-sufficiency were not included in the policy debate. This paper presents data from a study conducted in Summit County (Akron, OH) that gathered demographic data and data on JOBS Program participants' experiences and perceptions. It also presents results from focus groups and focused interviews that provide a picture of recipients' feelings about being on welfare, finding jobs, and understanding of welfare reform.