Welfare Reform presents the contemporary debate about welfare reform in the United States with an unbiased, objective point of view. Welfare Reform examines a wide range of programs and assistance policies of the U.S. federal and state governments. The opening essay sorts out which programs are generally regarded as "welfare," where they came from, and the current trends and issues driving the need for change. Special attention is given to the block grant programs of the 1980s and the new Child Protection Block Grant proposed as part of the Republicans' "Contract with America." Facts and statistics about welfare programs, recipients of benefits, and public opinion regarding welfare are presented in detail. This volume represents an important contribution to understanding one of the most debated social issues of our time.