Abstract
When Western counties seek to reform welfare so that recipients have to work in return for aid, this poses implementation as well as policy problems. This study of work requirements in Wisconsin illustrates the challenges. It also confirms success of a top-down model of implementation. Wisconsin's welfare work programs had little impact on dependency through the mid 1980s because work was not a priority and work programs were underdeveloped. From 1985-6, however, the state increased funding and built up the employment bureaucracy. It required that more recipients participate in work programs, enter jobs rather than education, and avoid welfare if possible. It attuned the bureaucracy to its goals through funding incentives. These measures along with strong economic conditions then drove the welfare rolls down, with largely good effects. Wisconsin's achievement rested on its good-government traditions. Not all regimes have the same capacity.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 239-264 |
| Number of pages | 26 |
| Journal | Journal of Public Policy |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 2001 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geography, Planning and Development
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Implementing work requirements in Wisconsin. / Mead, Lawrence.
In: Journal of Public Policy, Vol. 21, No. 3, 09.2001, p. 239-264.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Implementing work requirements in Wisconsin
AU - Mead, Lawrence
PY - 2001/9
Y1 - 2001/9
N2 - When Western counties seek to reform welfare so that recipients have to work in return for aid, this poses implementation as well as policy problems. This study of work requirements in Wisconsin illustrates the challenges. It also confirms success of a top-down model of implementation. Wisconsin's welfare work programs had little impact on dependency through the mid 1980s because work was not a priority and work programs were underdeveloped. From 1985-6, however, the state increased funding and built up the employment bureaucracy. It required that more recipients participate in work programs, enter jobs rather than education, and avoid welfare if possible. It attuned the bureaucracy to its goals through funding incentives. These measures along with strong economic conditions then drove the welfare rolls down, with largely good effects. Wisconsin's achievement rested on its good-government traditions. Not all regimes have the same capacity.
AB - When Western counties seek to reform welfare so that recipients have to work in return for aid, this poses implementation as well as policy problems. This study of work requirements in Wisconsin illustrates the challenges. It also confirms success of a top-down model of implementation. Wisconsin's welfare work programs had little impact on dependency through the mid 1980s because work was not a priority and work programs were underdeveloped. From 1985-6, however, the state increased funding and built up the employment bureaucracy. It required that more recipients participate in work programs, enter jobs rather than education, and avoid welfare if possible. It attuned the bureaucracy to its goals through funding incentives. These measures along with strong economic conditions then drove the welfare rolls down, with largely good effects. Wisconsin's achievement rested on its good-government traditions. Not all regimes have the same capacity.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0035469022&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0035469022&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S0143814X01001131
DO - 10.1017/S0143814X01001131
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0035469022
VL - 21
SP - 239
EP - 264
JO - Journal of Public Policy
JF - Journal of Public Policy
SN - 0143-814X
IS - 3
ER -