Title: Families on the edge: homeless young parents and their welfare experiences. A survey of homeless youth and service providers.

POPLINE Document Number: 276718

Author(s):

Reeg B
Grisham C
Shepard A

Source citation:

Washington, D.C., Center for Law and Social Policy [CLASP], 2002. [42] p.

Abstract:

Homeless young parents live life on the edge. Many have escaped abusive and neglectful home situations. They and their children are often in unsafe situations with poor access to basic resources like adequate food, clothing, and health care. Some struggle with substance abuse and mental health problems. As some of the most vulnerable members of society, homeless young parents need access to public services, including welfare. In 1996, the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program, a system of cash grants for eligible low-income families, was replaced by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which places a 60-month lifetime limit on federal assistance to families and emphasizes work over education as the means toward family self-sufficiency. As a block grant program, TANF gives states significant responsibility—and flexibility—to design and implement their own welfare programs. This report focuses on the experiences of homeless young parents with the TANF program. For young parents, TANF can be an important tool—a “leg up”—in helping these families achieve long-term stability and economic self-sufficiency. Most low-income young parents struggle to secure child care and transportation, to continue their education, and to find reliable jobs that pay livable wages. Homeless young parents face the additional challenge of locating permanent and safe housing. (excerpt)

Keywords:

United States
Research Report
KAP Surveys
Adolescents
Parents
Homeless Persons
Counselors
Social Security
Family Policy
Organization and Administration
Funds
Financing, Government
Developed Countries
North America
Americas
Surveys
Sampling Studies
Studies
Research Methodology
Youth
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Family Relationships
Family Characteristics
Family and Household
Residence Characteristics
Population Distribution
Geographic Factors
Counseling
Clinic Activities
Program Activities
Programs
Financial Activities
Economic Factors
Social Policy
Policy