Abstract
Since its implementation in 1997, the CalWORKs program, California’s version of the federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, has served hundreds of thousands of families throughout the state. A high percentage (12.5%) of these families are African American, considering that they represent only 4.6% of the overall population. Disconcertingly, this minority is also over-represented in state-wide unemployment and poverty rates. In order to better understand what variables may be influencing the disproportionate TANF receipt by African Americans, this thesis uses a mixed method approach. Using data from the 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey for Adults, I ran a logistic regression analysis to isolate the African American ethnicity effect, controlling for ethnicity, citizenship status, poor health, age, gender, educational level, wealth, marital status, family size, place of residence and existence of support networks. As a quantitative analysis by itself does not explain the underlying reasons, behaviors or conditions for disproportionate CalWORKs receipt, I furthered my investigation by performing a qualitative analysis. More specifically, I interviewed academics with expertise in social welfare about factors that might influence TANF use, such as employment barriers, incarceration, generational welfare use and caseworker mistreatment of African American clients. The results from my logistic regression confirm that being of African American ethnicity significantly increase the likelihood of CalWORKs receipt. The academics from my qualitative analysis were in agreement that employment barriers and generational welfare use perpetuate African American use of welfare. However, academics were in disagreement or had mixed views about other factors. Based on my findings, I recommend that policymakers consider making greater investments in early childhood education programs, which studies show to significantly increase soft skills and reduce likelihood of welfare receipt for African Americans. I also recommend that the state implement an Earned Income Tax program, which would provide some economic relief to poor families. Additionally, policymakers should also consider investing in research to better evaluate both caseworker performance and the overall effectiveness of the TANF program.