Understanding the dynamics of disconnection

Low-income families who do not receive TANF during periods of unemployment are often referred to as “disconnected.” This session will draw on recent qualitative and survey research, including OPRE-funded work, to examine how disconnected populations manage economically and investigate child well-being and overall family functioning in disconnected families. Emily Schmitt (Administration for Children and Families) will moderate this session. (conference program description)

• Understanding the Dynamics of Disconnection from Employment and Assistance

Heather Sandstrom (The Urban Institute)

Kristin Seefeldt (University of Michigan)

The presentation describes the results of qualitative research conducted to examine why single-mother families become disconnected from work and TANF, how these women manage financially, and what are the impacts for families while disconnected.

• The Well-Being of Low-Income Children in Families that are Disconnected from Work and Cash Assistance

Zakia Redd (Child Trends)

The presentation describes analyses conducted using data from the National Survey of Children's health to examine disconnected children and families, and how they differ from other low-income families.

These presentations were given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).