ABSTRACT
Recent federal welfare reform legislation has transformed the way counties approach serving their low-income populations. San Mateo County has responded to these changes with a series of programs designed to address the changing needs of clients. This case study highlights one such innovative effort, the Family Loan Program, which was established in January 1998 and is operated by the Family Service Agency of San Mateo County. This program is a replication of a family loan program developed by the McKnight Foundation in Minnesota in 1984. It reflects a public-private partnership to serve clients in three critical ways: (1) alleviating hardship and facilitating the parents’ ability to work, (2) providing education and training in real-life skills, and (3) contributing to the family’s asset-building ability. This case study covers the first eighteen months of program implementation (January 1998-July 1999). The case study includes the following sections: a review of the literature; the development and implementation in San Mateo County; a description of program operation; a discussion of lessons learned; and the identification of future areas for expansion.
