Characteristics of substance-abusing women on welfare. Findings from the evaluation of CASAWORKS for Families pilot demonstration.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and compare the characteristics and needs of substance-abusing women on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) who enroll in a multi-service "welfare to work" program (n = 673) with two other relevant groups: (a) women from the general TANF population in the same locales (n = 157) and (b) a sample of substance-abusing women on TANF who entered standard outpatient substance-abuse treatment programs (n = 520).


METHODS
A field study with repeated measures and intent-to-treat sampling.


METHODS
The CASAWORKS for Families (CWF) program was delivered in 11 sites in 9 states across the country. The CWF intervention featured integration of substance-abuse treatment and employment-work readiness services, using case management to tailor needed services (parenting, victimization, mental health, physical health, legal, and basic needs).


METHODS
The Addiction Severity Index, supplemented with subject-appropriate questions, was used at treatment admission.


RESULTS
The CWF sample exhibited multiple serious problems in the areas of substance abuse, victimization, medical and psychiatric health, and basic needs. The severity of their lifetime problems and their recent service needs were significantly higher in all these areas, except physical health, than were those of the general welfare sample of women in the same locales. Compared with women on TANF from standard addiction-treatment programs, CWF women exhibited similar substance-use problems but generally more severe co-occurring problems.
Gutman
Marjorie A
MA
Treatment Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Ketterlinus
Robert D
RD
McLellan
A Thomas
AT
D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011632:Public Assistance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012946:Social Welfare; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*