Tennessee’s version of welfare reform differed somewhat from other programs in that it did contain “numerous services in support of work efforts for recipients and allows education and job training to count toward the program’s work requirements as recipients prepare for employment and their transition to self-sufficiency” (Rector and Hicks, 2003, pp. 1-2). As was the case under the former AFDC, the majority of Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) recipients is female (95.7% in 2000). Thus, reform holds strong implications for women seeking to receive benefits for themselves and their children.

In February, 2000, Family Services Counseling was introduced as a means to provide support and aid to those individuals finding it difficult to complete work, education or training due to mental health issues, domestic violence, learning disabilities, and so forth. Completion bonuses were also introduced one month later as incentives for completion of educational and training programs. Research on these two additional components suggests that they do have positive effects (Rector & Hicks, citing Perkins & Homer; Ziegler, Ebert & Cope 2000) in some form or other.

Notable studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Families First approach to training and education. After the first two years of implementation, the overwhelming majority of job placements for Families First participants were in service occupations (44.10%) and clerical and sales occupations (27.97%); the average wage was determined to be $5.67/hour (“Families First: Creating Opportunities for Families”). In 1997, a working Families First participant did not make wages sufficient to rise to the level of self sufficiency, working primarily in “secondary labor market jobs, defined … as low pay, few benefits, high turnover, and little or no possibility for additional training or advancement” (Rector and Hicks, 2003, pg. 49). Review of research published in 1999 (BBER/CMS) found Families First participants averaging $5.83/34.6 hour week. Recommendations at that time suggested a need for additional education and job readiness activities. There appears to be little change since that time and indeed may be worsening. As of June, 2004, the average monthly wage earned by employed Families First participants is $651.72, with an additional $169.39 in cash benefits awarded to families by the State (DHS Web site). This calculates to $5.13/hour based on a 40 hour week.

While noted that numerous studies have arrived at differing conclusions, a study conducted by the University of Tennessee College of Social Work, Office of Research and Public Service of former welfare recipients (May 2003) found that “one half of those who leave Families First continue to fall below the federal poverty level” (pg. 50). It was also determined that many “Leavers,” as so referred to, “faced economic hardship” and “food deprivation” and were forced to seek “assistance to provide for their families” (pg. 50). In this study, 65.3% of prior welfare recipients were currently employed. Lack of child care a continual issue.