Welfare reform: Advocacy and intervention in the health care setting

Welfare reform has drastically altered the lives of poor families in the US . In its wake, many former recipients are not receiving whatever transition al benefits and other safeguards to which they remain entitled under federa l and state laws, Families are losing access to Medicaid and are not receiv ing the child care assistance or Food Stamps for which they continue to be eligible. Ill-served by stringent time limits and work requirements, lack o f child care assistance, and lack of training and educational opportunities for the development of skills that will lead to better jobs, families need help to navigate the complexities of the new welfare system. Boston Medica l Center's Department of Pediatrics has instituted a welfare screening proj ect to educate families about their rights under welfare reform and assist them in advocating for themselves and their children.