| This qualitative study explored the phenomenological or "lived experiences" of current and former welfare recipients who are in transition from welfare to work and who live in an Appalachian area of southern Ohio. By utilizing in-depth qualitative interviews the researcher identified emerging themes and patterns of adjustment employed by the participants to help facilitate their transition from welfare to work. Those services, resources, policies, and procedures that the participants perceived to be effective in assisting them to make the transition from welfare to work were identified. In addition, those services, resources, policies and procedures that were perceived by the participants to be ineffective were noted. Any remaining needs, challenges, or barriers that the participants believed to be thwarting their efforts to achieve self-sufficiency were examined as well as the participants' recommendations as to how to address those issues. |
