THE PARTICIPANTS PERSPECTIVE ON THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND BASIC SKILLS TRAINING-PROGRAM

In this study, we sought to bring into view the perspective of welfare recipients regarding the nation's welfare employment program, the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training program. We conducted face-to -face interviews with participants in four communities and completed f ollow-up telephone interviews several months later. The findings indic ate that participating in a welfare employment program can he a worthw hile experience for mothers on welfare and their preschool children. H owever, inadequate resources may limit the program's effectiveness, an d employment findings suggest that the women will continue to need pub lic assistance benefits, particularly Medicaid and food stamps, to sup port their families.