Caroline Polk, Author at Women's eNews

Report Says Welfare Laws Hinder Self-Sufficiency

By Caroline Polk ● Arts & Culture ● March 1, 2002

A new report suggests that case workers in Michigan pressure recipients to stay in dead-end jobs, even if they want to pursue post high-school education that could ultimately land them more secure and better-paying positions.

Rep. Mink Introduces Fixes to 1996 Welfare Law

By Caroline Polk ● Politics ● October 23, 2001

The first bill out of the chute in Congress designed to change the federal welfare law expiring next year would focus on reducing poverty, not the number of families receiving assistance, in part by increasing funds for child care and training.

Experts: Welfare Sanctions Ineffective, Cruel

By Caroline Polk ● Arts & Culture ● September 2, 2001

The phrase “sanctioned off” is now commonplace among those touched by the 1996 welfare law. It refers to a family losing its only source of revenue for infractions of welfare regulations, sometimes for as little as being 10 minutes late.

Caroline Polk

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