Welfare Reform

On August 22, 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, better known as the Welfare Reform Act, was signed by President Clinton. This legislation dramatically changes many of the programs that have historically provided assistance to low-income families with young children. While all welfare recipients will be affected by this legislation, families with young children with disabilities are likely to experience a disproportionate share of hardship. The implementation of this legislation will therefore have tremendous implications for Part H programs and service providers. This article will briefly describe the provisions of the Welfare Act, and will discuss the implications for young children with disabilities, their families, and the early intervention professionals who work with them.