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Archival Research and Evaluation: Utilization of Federal and State Court Data in Evaluating Welfare Policies and Programs
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| Presenter(s):
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| Elizabeth Hayden,
Northeastern University,
hayden.e@neu.edu
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| Abstract:
When evaluating welfare policies and programs, researchers can access state and federal court records to determine the fairness of service delivery. Is the current reform working? Are minority welfare recipients more likely to be subject to termination of benefits, insufficient job training and placement as well as transportation difficulties than white recipients? Utilizing national and court data bases, evaluators can assess the nature and frequency of discriminatory practices pre and post PRWORA Reform. Through archival research and document analysis, I will examine what legally constitutes as effective and fair practices in welfare-to-work programs and (2) if welfare policy favors some client groups over others.
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Learning From Service Users: Measuring the Well-being of Children and Families, the Elderly, and the Community
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| Presenter(s):
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| Tina Olsson,
Göteborg University,
tina.m.olsson@telia.com
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| Rebecka Arman,
Göteborg University,
rebecka.arman@handels.gu.se
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| Anna Johansson,
Göteborg University,
anna.johansson@gri.gu.se
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| Abstract:
Evaluation is concerned with describing “what works”. In the case of social policies, this can be expanded to “what works” to improve welfare. Social policies are deliberately designed to impact social change thereby increasing the welfare or well-being of individuals and society as a whole. The current evaluation environment is fraught with debates regarding evidence, outcomes, and accountability. Both proponents and opponents in these debates are concerned with improving the lives of service users. In the current environment of evidence, outcomes, and accountability, this paper examines the methods being used to assess service user well-being and integrate measures of well-being in assessing program outcomes. This paper reviews the literature in three specific areas of social policy: children and families, the elderly, and the community from 1990 to present in order to assess the extent to which evaluation is learning from service users by integrating measures of well-being into outcome evaluations.
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