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Welfare and child support program knowledge gaps reduce program effectiveness

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  • Daniel R. Meyer

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Maria Cancian

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Kisun Nam

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Abstract

There is little research on knowledge of the policy rules that could affect individuals, either in general or in evaluations of new programs. The lack of research is surprising, given that knowledge gaps could limit the effectiveness of reforms or lead to incorrect inferences regarding the effects of a policy change. In this article, we use survey data to examine the level and sources of welfare participants' policy knowledge in the context of a substantial change in child support and welfare policy in Wisconsin. We find very low levels of knowledge of child support policy rules. Multivariate analyses suggest that people tend to learn policy rules by experience; we find less consistent support for knowledge being primarily imparted through interactions with caseworkers. A difference-in-difference analysis suggests that if participants had been more knowledgeable, program impacts would have been larger. Implications of this research for policy implementation and policy evaluations are discussed. © 2007 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel R. Meyer & Maria Cancian & Kisun Nam, 2007. "Welfare and child support program knowledge gaps reduce program effectiveness," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(3), pages 575-598.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jpamgt:v:26:y:2007:i:3:p:575-598
    DOI: 10.1002/pam.20266
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maureen R Waller & Robert Plotnick, 2001. "Effective child support policy for low-income families: evidence from street level research," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 20(1), pages 89-110.
    2. Marianne Bertrand & Erzo F. P. Luttmer & Sendhil Mullainathan, 2000. "Network Effects and Welfare Cultures," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Oxford University Press, vol. 115(3), pages 1019-1055.
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    4. Edin, Kathryn, 1995. "Single mothers and child support: The possibilities and limits of child support policy," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 17(1-2), pages 203-230.
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    6. Maureen A. Pirog & Kathleen M. Ziol-Guest, 2006. "Child support enforcement: Programs and policies, impacts and questions," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(4), pages 943-990.
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    Cited by:

    1. Meyer, Daniel R. & Riser, Quentin H., 2023. "Slowing the ‘vicious cycle’: Reducing the interest rate on child support arrears," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    2. Leonard M. Lopoo & Kerri M. Raissian, 2014. "U.S. Social Policy and Family Complexity," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 654(1), pages 213-230, July.
    3. Lee, Daeyong & Weems, Carl F. & Rouse, Heather L. & Melby, Janet N. & Zhao, Feng & Bartel, Maya & Goudy, Kathryn, 2020. "Targeted child support enforcement and its association with child support payments: Evidence from a program evaluation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    4. Maria Cancian & Daniel R. Meyer & Eunhee Han, 2011. "Child Support: Responsible Fatherhood and the Quid Pro Quo," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 635(1), pages 140-162, May.
    5. Lihua Yang, 2018. "Collaborative knowledge-driven governance: Types and mechanisms of collaboration between science, social science, and local knowledge," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 45(1), pages 53-73.

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