Date of Award

Spring 3-1998

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Sharon Patten

Second Advisor

Glenda Dewberry-Rooney

Third Advisor

Nancy Wiggins

Abstract

Minnesota has just began one of its biggest welfare overhauls ever through the state's new policy: The Minnesota Family Investment-statewide (MFIP-S). The Federal welfare policy reform, Temporary Assistance for Needy families (TANF), initiated this revamp and has shifted focus to temporary assistance and mandatory work requirements for welfare participants. The employment and training component of the MFIP-S policy is currently being implemented and has proven to play an important role in this major effort that will affect thousands of people. This paper analyzes the employment and training component of MFIP-S, specifically concentrating on how it will affect single-mothers. The following research question is posed: Will the employment and training component of MFIP-S effectively meet the intended goals of welfare reform for single-mothers? The analysis found strengths in this policy, including intense job search assistance and a needy job market for workers, but also found weakness', such as unrealistic time limits and lack of a safety net for children. The findings indicate that there will be several intended policy goals achieved, but that poverty will increase and many will be unable to find and maintain suitable employment. Implications for the future and social work practice are discussed.

Identifier

SC 11.MSW.1998.Friesen.RE

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