Changing Welfare is concerned with the sweeping changes that took place in public assistance programs at the end of the 20th century and the way in which the original and reformed versions of these programs relate to the well-being of children and their families. The authors critically review the original conceptualizations and the new directions of programs offering cash assistance, food assistance, health insurance, and child protection services to low-income and disabled children and their families - thus, changes in the welfare programs themselves. And throughout, their concern is with whether and how these programs alter the opportunities for the development of the children targeted by these programs - thus, changes in the welfare of children and their families.
The objective of each chapter of the book is to rigorously highlight key theoretical and research issues, including the identification of major empirical findings and unanswered questions. Wherever relevant, the chapters connect theory and research to policy and practice, pointing to recommendations and challenges for the future including alternative approaches for research, policy and practice.

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I: Introduction and Overview.- 1. Changing Welfare: Welfare Reforms and Child Well-Being.- II: Cash Assistance Reforms and the Well-Being of Families and Children.- 2. Child Well-Being in the Context of Welfare Reform: What Are We Learning?.- 3. Full Circle: Changes in the Supplemental Security Income Program for Children and Youth.- 4. How Will Welfare Reform Affect Childbearing and Family Structure Decisions?.- III: Health and Nutritional Supports to Families under Welfare Reforms.- 5. Expanding Public Health Insurance for Children: Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program.- 6. Medicaid Managed Care for Children and Youth Managing Costs or Managing Care?.- 7. Connecting with Communities to Provide Children with Nutrition.- IV: Challenges to Implementing and Studying Welfare Reforms.- 8. Children and Welfare Reform: Exploring the Intersection of Social Research and Policymaking.- 9. Thinking Further Outside the Box: Can Program Evaluation Keep Up with Program Innovation?.- 10. Are They Truly Off Welfare? Movement between the Public Welfare and Child Welfare Systems.- 11. Ethical Dilemmas Facing Caseworkers: The Impact of Welfare Reform on Decision-Making.- 233.- 235.- 241.- 243.- 245.- 247.