《TESTING THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET》

INTRODUCTION1

Focus on the Truly Needy2

Approach5

Methodology7

The Plan of the Book9

PART ONE. CHILDREN IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM11

1. WHO ARE THE ABUSED, NEGLECTED, AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN?13

The Populations of Vulnerable Children Defined13

Characteristics of the Populations15

The Special Needs of These Vulnerable Children20

Summary24

2. FEDERAL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS AFFECTING VULNERABLE CHILDREN27

Federal Involvement in Child Welfare, 1960-7927

The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 198031

Child Welfare during the Reagan Administration, 1981-8434

Summary37

3. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE ABUSED, NEGLECTED, AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN?39

Budget Changes39

Caseloads41

Agency Service Structures and Populations Served44

Impact of Budget and Program Changes46

Summary53

PART TWO. THE CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL57

4. WHO ARE THE CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL?59

The Chronically Mentally Ill Population Defined60

Characteristics of the Population62

Changes in Living Arrangements64

The Special Needs of the Chronically Mentally Ill67

Summary69

5. FEDERAL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS FOR THE CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL71

Community Mental Health Centers72

The Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Block Grant74

The Community Support Program77

Supplemental Security Income78

Summary89

6. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL?91

State Funding Patterns91

City and County Funding Patterns94

Caseloads97

Agency Service Structures and Populations Served98

Impact of Budget and Program Changes103

Summary111

PART THREE. THE LOW-INCOME ELDERLY115

7. WHO ARE THE LOW-INCOME ELDERLY?117

The Population of the Low-Income Elderly Defined119

Characteristics of the Population: Trends120

The Special Needs of the Low-Income Elderly121

Summary124

8. FEDERAL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS FOR THE LOW-INCOME ELDERLY125

Development of Policy for the Aging125

The Effects of Federal Programs by 1981129

Federal Legislation and Policy Changes Affecting the Low-Income Elderly, 1981-84135

Summary140

9. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE LOW-INCOME ELDERLY?143

State Funding Patterns143

City and County Funding Patterns144

Caseloads147

Agency Service Structural and Population Served151

Impact of Budget and Program Changes155

Summary168

CONCLUSIONS171

The Role of the Federal Government171

What Has Happened?173

Resources and Commitment181

Central versus Local Control for the Three Needy Populations181