Abstract
Exploratory research was done to find themes among worker and client perceptions about the CalWORKs program of Sacramento County. Researchers sought to understand from these two viewpoints if current policies and regulations of the program are effective in assisting clients in gaining necessary skills to obtain employment and become financially independent. Data for the research were collected from 20 qualitative interviews. Christin Mealor conducted ten interviews with clients from the Department of Human Assistance in Sacramento County. Kristin Plyler conducted ten interviews with Human Services Specialists at the Department of Human Assistance in Sacramento. The writers collaborated equally through the project’s completion. Analysis of the data revealed surprising discrepancies that exist between providers and clients served through the CalWORKs program. For example, it was found that nine out of ten workers did not feel that the relationship between client and worker had any bearing in a client’s success or independence from the program. On the other hand, most clients had identified the relationship with the service provider as an important factor in their ability to utilize services and obtain employment. Additionally, researchers discovered that many service providers felt a client’s motivation was fixed and could not be influenced—that a client would either have the motivation to get off of welfare or not. This was not the perspective of clients, many of whom explained that they did not want to be on welfare and had motivation to obtain employment despite the many barriers that existed. Although clients stated that the current economic recession was having a negative impact on job searching, workers maintained that “generational welfare” would be the largest influence in a client’s ability to gain employment. Suggestions for CalWORKs program improvement were advanced.