Economic Conditions and Welfare Reform

Papers from a November 1998 conference, organized by the Joint Center for Poverty Research at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, report on early lessons from the effects of the 1996 welfare reform act, looking at falling caseloads, how recipients are faring, and state responses. Specific subjects include effects of industry trends and structure of welfare caseloads, employer demand for welfare recipients and the business cycle, and cyclical welfare costs in the post-reform era. The editor teaches social work and public policy at the University of Michigan. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)