Policy Perspectives is a series created by the Welfare Study Research Team Center for the Study of Women and Society intended for state policy makers about the effects of Welfare Reform in Oregon.

This Policy Perspective Summary Sheet presents data from “Oregon Families Who Left Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and Food Stamps: A Study of Economic and Family Well-Being, 1998-2000 with an emphasis on Education, concluding with the following policy recommendations:

• Develop new (and strengthen existing) programs targeting TANF recipients and leavers who do not have a GED or high school diploma.
• Extend ERDC and Food Stamp benefits to low-income parents who are pursuing and progressing at post-secondary education.
• Develop a Parents as Scholars program to allow TANF recipients to pursue a post-secondary certificate or degree as an allowable work activity.  Many other states currently support the efforts of poor women to secure basic and postsecondary education.
• Revive the Student block Grant Program to provide low-income parents access to childcare subsidies over the course to their schooling.