Welfare to Work

AFDC Training Program Spends Billions, but Not Well Focused on Employment Gao ID: T-HEHS-95-51 January 10, 1995

GAO concludes that although billions have been spent on it, the Jobs Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) program has not transformed Aid for Families With Dependent Children (AFDC) into a transitional cash assistance program focused on employment. Few are served in JOBS and some of those most at risk of long welfare stays, such as teen parents, have not been reached. In addition, the JOBS program is not well focused on the ultimate goal of employment. First, the number of JOBS participants who have landed jobs is unknown. Second, federal performance standards generally reward states financially for placing AFDC recipients in education and training, but not for finding them jobs. Third, the programs in most communities are not fully using the tools available to find and create jobs for their welfare recipients.



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