| This study seeks to determine the effects of major depression disorders on welfare recipients becoming employed in the State of Louisiana and to assess policy regarding administrative procedures in achieving the goals and objectives of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The target population for the study is defined as those individuals who receive or have received Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Food Stamps, and Medicaid. Specifically, welfare participants of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program are delineated as follows: 1. Individuals who currently receive welfare assistance 2. Individuals who successfully have transitioned from welfare to work;The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 gives authorization to the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program in providing cash assistance to families with children when the financial resources of the family are insufficient to meet subsistence needs. The Department of Health and Human Services is the federal agency responsible for its administration; it is not directly involved in the day-to-day distribution of aid to the welfare participants. The Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support agencies administers the program at the state level throughout the state.;This qualitative study will seek to determine the impact of policy on those welfare participants that find it challenging to transition from welfare to work successfully. The literature of review will introduce background information on the development of the social welfare program, requirements and policy, and the barriers of employment.;Establishing a theoretical base from which to advance programs will ultimately increase service effectiveness of participant assessment and provision of services. Through utilization of the field research approach to qualitative studies, in-depth interviews will be with TANF participants from the aforementioned program.;During the interview process, the researcher will focus on specific variables, such as setting goals and objectives, and affecting policies of the Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support. The impact of policy on welfare participants yielding difficulty in transitioning off welfare will be identified, ultimately seeking to determine whether the policies in place have an effect in reassuring successful transition of the participants. |
