Ak Journal of Commerce: State claims success with the welfare to work program
The number of Alaska families collecting welfare has dropped 54 percent since the inception of the federal welfare reform efforts in 1996, according to the state Division of Public Assistance.
In addition, spending on the program during that same time period has dropped nearly 58 percent, to $49 million, the division said.
"It's been a tremendous success," said Katherine Farnham, the division's director. "Our performance has been better than most states on employment outcomes. We've really placed an emphasis on getting people into work activities and then getting them off benefits."