Implementing Welfare Reform: Solutions to the Substance Abuse Problem (1997)

This 1997 report, “Implementing Welfare Reform: Solutions to the Substance Abuse Problem,” provides a guide for state policymakers and welfare administrators to address substance abuse among welfare recipients, particularly parents, through the welfare reform process. It emphasizes the importance of a strategic, values-driven approach to welfare reform, integrating substance abuse treatment with work requirements to improve family well-being. The guide outlines steps for state strategies, including screening, assessment, funding, and measuring outcomes, as well as highlights the need for interagency collaboration. It concludes that effective treatment can lead to long-term fiscal benefits and positive impacts on children and families.