ABSTRACT

This new edition of American Poverty in a New Era of Reform provides a comprehensive examination of the extent, causes, effects, and costs of American poverty nearly ten years after the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) in 1996. The author includes the most current available demographic, budget, evaluation, and program data to evaluate the impact of this sweeping legislation on federal and state policies, as well as on poverty populations. This revised edition takes into account the economic slowdown that took place in 2001 through 2003. It examines the state decisions about how to implement PRWORA, and how changes have affected the poverty population and overall welfare system. The author identifies the positive implications of welfare reform along with problems that must be addressed. New features for this edition include an appendix of Internet sources a state-by-state tables of poverty rates.

chapter 1|9 pages

Introduction

American Poverty

chapter 2|15 pages

How Many Americans Are Poor?

chapter 3|30 pages

The American Poor

chapter 4|20 pages

Why Are People Poor in America?

chapter 5|30 pages

The Evolution of Welfare

Ending Welfare as We Know It

chapter 6|23 pages

State Welfare Plans Under PRWORA

chapter 7|37 pages

After PRWORA

The American Welfare System

chapter 8|35 pages

The Impact of Welfare Reform

chapter 9|15 pages

Refining American Social Welfare Policy