Findings on Client Outcomes:

The publications below provide findings from a longitudinal study of 590 TANF recipients who enrolled in the ten demonstration programs.

Research Report No. 3 — Microenterprise as a Welfare to Work Strategy: Two-Year Findings (PDF)
This is the third and final report on findings from FIELD's longitudinal study of TANF recipients pursuing self-employment as a route to economic self-sufficiency. The publication describes outcomes experienced by TANF recipients two years after enrolling in microenterprise programs, including: their engagement in self- and wage employment; changes in household income and poverty status; the types and growth of businesses they operated; their household and business assets and net worth; and the quality of jobs held by those working in wage employment. The report also presents issues for consideration by welfare agencies interested in supporting self-employment for TANF recipients, and by microenterprise programs that provide services to welfare recipients. The research is based on a study of 590 TANF recipients who received services from 10 microenterprise programs funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. (Published 11/03)

Research Report No. 2 — Microenterprise as a Welfare to Work Strategy: One-Year Findings (PDF)
This is the second report on findings from FIELD's longitudinal study of TANF recipients who sought to pursue self-employment as a route to economic self-sufficiency. The publication describes outcomes they experienced one year after enrolling in a microenterprise program, and explores outcomes such as the percentage of individuals engaged in self- and wage employment; changes in poverty status and receipt of TANF assistance; changes in household income, assets and net worth; the survival and growth of the businesses owned by TANF recipients; and the quality of jobs held by participants engaged in wage employment. The research is based on a study of 590 TANF recipients who received services from 10 microenterprise programs funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. (Published 3/03)

Research Brief No. 2 — Improving the Climate for Self-Employment: Policy Recommendations for TANF Reauthorization (PDF)
Presents the most recent findings from FIELD's evaluation of the Mott Foundation's 10 site demonstration project. The brief presents several changes to the federal TANF laws that could help TANF recipients use self-employment to transition off assistance and toward economic self-sufficiency. These recommendations are based on findings from the longitudinal study conducted by FIELD, as well as a set of case studies and site visits conducted by the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). The brief also highlights the story of a West Company (Ukiah, CA) client who is moving toward economic self-sufficiency through self-employment. (Published 4/02)

Research Report No. 1 — Microenterprise as a Welfare to Work Strategy: Client Characteristics (PDF)
Offers an in-depth look at the findings from the first wave of the longitudinal survey of participants in a 10-site demonstration project designed to help welfare recipients use self-employment to gain self-sufficiency. This 22-page report describes the overall project and survey methodology, examines a variety of client characteristics, and compares findings to two national TANF data sources, as well as to two previous studies of low-income entrepreneurs. Copies also can be ordered free of charge. (Published 7/01)

Research Brief No. 1 — Microenterprise as a Welfare to Work Strategy: Client Characteristics (PDF)
Contains findings from the first wave of a longitudinal survey of participants in a 10-site demonstration project exploring whether and under what circumstances entrepreneurship can be an alternative to employment for TANF recipients. Findings are compared to two sources of data on the national TANF caseload and to two previous studies of low-income microentrepreneurs. This 6-page report also can be ordered. (Published 5/01)

 
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