This paper examines the U.S. social insurance system, which we define broadly to include both programs supported by dedicated taxes and other federal programs that provide income support, assistance in meeting basic needs, or services to improve economic opportunity. The paper considers the social insurance system as a whole as well as its…

National and state policymakers are considering whether to expand or establish work requirements for safety net programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. During this process, policymakers should take into account what safety net program recipients need to meet those requirements and place themselves on a…

Since the onset of the Great Recession, the U.S. labor market has been reeling. Public concern has largely focused on the unemployment rate, which rose to double digits and has since been stalled at just over 9 percent. This rate is unacceptably high, and macroeconomic policy efforts have been unsuccessful in bringing it down. The overall…

This descriptive qualitative case study investigated the perceptions of dislocated workers offered program services through the Workforce Investment Act's (WIA) Dislocated Worker program in Minnesota. This research focused on recently dislocated workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own and hence were eligible for unemployment…

This first interim report of the National Commission for Manpower Policy on the manpower challenges of 1975 was developed to (1) assess the extent to which federal manpower and manpower-related programs provide a structure capable of responding to the current unemployment problems and (2) consider some of the long-run critical manpower issues that…

The current role of the Department of Labor's Manpower Administration as determined by the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 (CETA) is described. CETA shifts the responsibility for training and job placement services from the Federal government to States, cities, and counties which operate their own programs using funds provided by…

This is a study of the development and passage of employment legislation between 1973 and 1977. A primary focus is on how the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) became law. The author is former Assistant Secretary of Labor and Administrator of the Employment and Training Administration, 1973-1977. The first of four chapters traces…

This document reports on a Congressional hearing on assistance to workers dislocated or unemployed due to the serious economic deterioration impacting the country, partly due to the events of September 11, 2001. Testimony includes statements of United States Representatives John Boehner and George Miller; Michael Hannah, representing Local 13358,…

In Fiscal Year 1997, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has an estimated budget of $34.4 billion and is authorized 16,614 full-time-equivalent staff-years. DOL's many programs fall into two major categories: enhancing workers' skills through job training and ensuring worker protection. The DOL's work force development mission is being challenged…

This second annual plan of Maryland's Department of Employment and Training (DET) outlines goals, objectives, and implementation strategies and highlights programs initiated during its first year of operation. Sections 1, 2, and 3 offer the mission statement, historical overview, and departmental structure. Section 4 outlines DET goals and…

This fifteenth special report of the National Commission for Manpower Policy examines the interplay between the forces determining work schedules and the incidence and prevalence of unemployment. In the first chapter the author sets forth the major trends in hours of work and in the changing structure of the labor force that has led increasingly…

The 13th annual manpower report reviews economic trends, manpower program resources, and new legislative developments dealing with unemployment and recessionary trends. Chapter 1 discusses the major economic developments during the year and the impact of unemployment on the labor force. Chapter 2 explores the role of public sector jobs in reducing…

A study assessed effectiveness of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 performance measures. Data were from a survey of WIA program administrators in 50 states; visits to 5 states; interviews with labor officials and national associations representing state and local workforce development officials; and a document review. Findings indicate…

This volume of an annual journal contains 17 articles that focus on model local offices of the employment security (ES) and training systems. The articles are arranged in three parts. Part I, on developing new initiatives, contains the following five articles: "A Public Employment Service for the 1990s" (Elizabeth Dole); "The…

In the United States today, too many hardworking people are unable to earn enough through work to support their families. Policymakers can help change this situation by taking the following steps: (1) keep work central; (2) promote family-supporting work; (3) invest in education and work skills; (4) make it easier for individuals to stay employed…