Program on Poverty and Social Welfare Policy

THE UNIVERSITY OF Michigan Program on Poverty and Social Welfare Policy is jointly managed by the Gerald Ford School of Public Policy, by the School of Social Work, and by the University of Michigan Law School. The Michigan program was begun as a joint endeavor of the three schools. Its purpose is to promote an interdisciplinary approach to research on policy questions. The applied research conducted by the program seeks to answer specific policy questions. The program both sponsors and encourages research into the following questions using a multidisciplinary research approach. What are the effects of poverty and welfare on families and communities? When evaluated, what are the strengths and weaknesses of welfare reform? What results have been obtained from anti-poverty initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels?

The program sponsors and encourages field studies of welfare and social service agencies to both describe and evaluate their practices. It provides information for testifying before legislatures on social welfare policy issues. The goal is to expand knowledge in all of the social sciences on a broad range of topics related to poverty and public policy. Faculty development and professional development of welfare practitioners through poverty and social welfare seminars are part of the program's work. In addition, it conducts research training for graduate students in social welfare studies. Students are also linked with internships in agencies working with poverty issues. Or it provides invaluable practicum experiences for students in social welfare or poverty programs.

The Program on Poverty and Social Welfare Policy has recently concluded a number of important studies. Recent studies include research on barriers to the employment of welfare recipients, especially women who are welfare mothers. Other studies have included work on evaluating the New Start Employment Project, which seeks to provide transitional jobs for individuals who are reentering the workforce after a period of absence. The New Start project was a program conducted by Goodwill Industries of Great Detroit, Inc. The program also completed a low-income community services survey that examined changing variables in the lives of families who have been affected by the 1996 welfare reforms.

Research themes currently encouraged by the program are those focusing on welfare reform, the wellbeing of families, children, the effects of poverty on family well-being, mechanisms for that lead to poverty being transmitted across generations, and the impact of poverty economically, socially, and psychologically. Other themes include issues related to working women, teen pregnancy, and adolescent motherhood.