Teen Living Programs for Young Mothers Receiving Welfare: An Analysis of Implementation and Issues in Service Delivery

Abstract

Changes in welfare programs are likely to have several important effects on populations served by social workers. While most attention has addressed the work requirement and time limits imposed by welfare reform, other aspects of the legislation also require attention. Living requirement legislation for teen parents receiving welfare has led the state of Massachusetts to develop Teen Living Programs (TLPs). TLPs are residential programs that allow teen parents to fulfill the living requirement when they are unable to live in the home of a parent or adult guardian. Data collected during program site visits to report on the implementation of the programs are used in this paper. This report identifies and analyzes issues related to service delivery that may be useful to social workers, policymakers, and program developers interested in supporting adolescent mothers affected by living requirement legislation. Analysis includes discussion of programming and staff, standardization of services, flexibility and individualized services, the residential model, and limitations of the program response.

Facilitating the Implementation and Sustainability of Second Step

“…Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/termsand-conditions Introduction Implementing a best practice programme in schools does not guarantee successful outcomes. To ensure the efficient dissemination of programmes, there is a need for more research to understand the processes by which the programmes are adapted, implemented and maintained in schools (Collins, Lane, & Stevens, 2003). Moreover, Mihalic, Irwin, Fagan, Ballard and Eliott's (2004) meta review of implementation emphasises the need for assessing the organisational capacity for schools to take on programmes and the crucial role of the principals' active support in the process.…”

“…Previous research suggests that this is a neglected area (Durlak & Wells, 1997). Thus, to ensure the efficient dissemination of programmes, there is a need for more research to understand the processes by which the programmes are adapted, implemented and maintained in schools (Collins et al, 2003).…”

Implementing Second Step: Balancing Fidelity and Program Adaptation

“…Because the program is perceived to be overly structured and repetitive, one strategy might be to build greater variation with more optional activities into the lessons on top of core elements that should be more strictly followed. These recommendations are in accordance with guidelines emphasizing that there is a need for a better understanding of how intervention programs are distributed to and within schools, to enable the design of programs that are more sensitive to local teaching contexts (Collins, Lane, & Stevens, 2002;Diebold et al, 2000).…”

Teen Living Programs in Massachusetts: A Policy Analysis and Recommendations for Change

“…While there could be arguments that it would be difficult to find money to pay counselors for those hours, because this is to be a state-im- ii Harris (1997) iii Walker and Kotloff (1999) iv Walker and Kotloff (1999) v Walker and Kotloff (1999) vi Kirby (2001) vii Kaplan (1997) viii "Second Chance Homes: Providing services for teenage parents and their children." 2000ix Collins, Lane, and Stevens (2003) x Collins, Lane, and Stevens (2003) xi Kirby (2001) xii Mattaini, Lowery, and Meyer (2002) xiii Maynard (1993) xiv Maynard (1993) xv Kaplan (1997) xvi "Second Chance Homes: Providing services for teenage parents and their children." 2000xvii Harris (1997) xviii Harris (1997) xix Cherry, Dillion, and Rugh (2001) xx Horowitz (1995) xxi "Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996Fact Sheet."…”

“…2000xvii Harris (1997) xviii Harris (1997) xix Cherry, Dillion, and Rugh (2001) xx Horowitz (1995) xxi "Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996Fact Sheet." (1996 xxii Collins, Lane, and Stevens, (2003) xxiii "Second Chance Homes: Providing services for teenag parents and their children." (2000) xxiv "Second Chance Homes: Providing services for teenagt parents and their children."…”