Child Care in JOBS Employment and Training Program: What Difference Does Quality Make?

Abstract

Under the provisions of the Family Support Act of 1988, AFDC recipients in JOBS welfare-to-work programs are entitled to child care assistance during their education and job search activities. Data from a 1-year panel study of a JOBS program indicate that participants increased their use of substitute care and their use of licensed day care homes and centers, after beginning job readiness activities. The care they obtained was highly variable in terms of convenience and program quality, however, and compromises in the adequacy of care or in the congruence of care with parents' preferences increased participants' odds of dropping out of the program without completing education andjob search activities.