Twelve urban community action programs (CAP) were examined in depth to determine how each of them operationally defined community action and to evaluate their performance. The criteria used were: (1) a clear statement of purpose and programs consistent with that purpose; (2) strong independent leadership and a built-in evaluation and…

The impact of the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) Community Action Programs (CAP) on 6 selected American Indian reservations (Gila River and Papago, Arizona; Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico; Pine Ridge, South Dakota; Turtle Mountain, North Dakota, and White Earth Chippewa, Minnesota) are evaluated. After considering the development of Indian…

This study reviews the evidence on the impact that manpower training programs have had on the earnings of the poor, in order to assess the likely success that greatly expanded training programs would have in reducing the amount of public assistance payments and the size of welfare roles. Between 1963 and 1971, the Federal Government obligated 6.8…

Examines the development of Federal job training programs, including the Job Corps, the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), and the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). Argues that these programs have actually harmed participants and wasted millions of tax dollars. (FMW)

Nearly 80 means-tested programs for low-income persons and families have been created by the federal government to help meet the needs of various groups. In fiscal year 1992, the federal government spent about $208 billion through these programs. Evaluation of these programs was based on reports by the General Accounting Office (GAO) and others.…

This report examines the adequacy of the standard of need used by the State of Nevada to determine eligibility for the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program (ADC). Nevada's standard of $285 per month for a family of 3 ranked 49 out of 54 states and political entities. The current standard is reviewed in relation to the present cost of…

Two anti-poverty programs--investment in education and in highways and other public facilities--should increase earnings and employment through an increase in production possibilities and a fuller utilization of existing resources. In evaluating training programs, there is considerable evidence that training expenditures have a return at least…

This publication of Title I in Ohio is stated to provide a summary of activities for fiscal 1973-74 school year and the summer that followed. Each year since 1966, most school districts in Ohio have conducted Title I programs for eligible students, who, for various reasons, have fallen behind their classmates in reading or mathematics. In some…

This report critically reviews past benefit-cost studies of manpower programs and offers an alternative methodology for program evaluation. Because of selective admission criteria and a tendency to attribute all income changes to training, previous studies have had an upward bias in measuring the effectiveness of training. This study evaluates a…

Twenty-five years of evaluation research are reviewed. Findings show that evaluations of social programs have been negative. Policymakers often blamed the evaluators when it was not clear why certain programs had failed. There is hope for a better working relationship as evaluators adopt better methods and social policy becomes more rational. (VM)

The anti-poverty workers have come and gone; for the poor of Appalachia there is little left except espionage. (DM)

This paper analyzes how variation in participant take-up rates affected the impacts of the New Hope project, a random-assignment, anti-poverty program. New Hope offered experimental members four benefits--child care subsidies, wage subsidies, health insurance, and, if needed, a temporary community service job--that were available to families…

Homelessness among families is quickly reaching crisis proportions across the country. Over 30 percent of America's three million homeless people are members of families, and families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. Perhaps more disturbing, homelessness represents only the most extreme manifestation of a more…

A THREE DAY CONFERENCE TRAINED NEW NONPROFESSIONAL STAFF OF THE SHAWNEE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AN ANTIPOVERTY AGENCY IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS. TRAINING GOALS WERE TO DEVELOP (1) GREATER AWARENESS OF SELF AND EFFECT ON OTHERS, (2) TEAMWORK SKILLS IN WORKING IN GROUPS, (3) AWARENESS OF SKILLS IN THE HELPING PROCESS, AND (4) PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS.…

THIS STUDY EXAMINES THE PROGRESS OF 125 CHILDREN IN THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC SCHOOL KINDERGARTENS WHO ATTENDED HEADSTART DURING THE SUMMER AND 125 CHILDREN IN THE SAME SCHOOLS WHO DID NOT ATTEND THE HEADSTART PROGRAM. SOME INDICATIONS IN THIS STUDY SUGGEST THAT A HEADSTART CHILD SHOWS MUCH GREATER VARIABILITY IN HIS CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT THAN A…