The Family Support Act of 1988 and the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 provided the basis for a comprehensive reform of welfare programs. This document provides examples of how five states have chosen to implement new provisions in their welfare programs to aid families in achieving greater economic security. The Illinois Work Pays and Minnesota's Family Investment Plan are included as examples of programs promoting financial asset development. Oregon's JOBS Plus and Vermont's Welfare Restructuring Project are examples of programs promoting human capital asset development. Also, Utah's Single Parent Employment Program is an example of a program helping to overcome obstacles to asset development. These programs share an emphasis on creating positive incentives and opportunities with few provisions for negative sanctions, such as time limits, family caps, and punitive reductions of cash assistance grants. Following an explanation of welfare-related terms and sources for further information in each of the five states, the following information is contained in descriptions of each state program: (1) major provisions in the program; (2) implementation information; (3) program outcomes to date; and (4) additional factors to be considered. The report concludes by noting that the case examples will be useful to other states in securing true welfare reforms. (KB)