Employment outcomes among AFDC recipients treated for substance abuse in Washington state

In 1996, Congress passed sweeping welfare reform, abolishing the Aid to Fam ilies with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. Each state now administers it s own welfare-to-work program under broad federal guidelines, which require eligible adult recipients to work or perform community service. High-risk welfare recipients, especially those with chemical dependency problems, fac e significant obstacles in their efforts to achieve greater self-sufficienc y under the new welfare-to-work programs. State databases were used to trac k employment outcomes for AFDC clients admitted to treatment for chemical d ependency in Washington State during a two-year period. Exposure to treatme nt was associated with a greater likelihood of becoming employed and with i ncreased earnings for those who became employed. Ensuring that welfare reci pients with substance abuse problems have access to appropriate treatment a nd vocational services is critical if welfare-to-work programs are to promo te greater economic self-sufficiency.