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20 Years Since Welfare's Overhaul, Results Are Mixed

Amber Lakin (front) and colleague Julia Porras work at Central City Concern, an organization that does outreach and job training to combat homelessness and addiction in Portland, Ore. Lakin went through the welfare system and now works with Central City Coffee, an offshoot of the main organization, which uses coffee roasting/packaging as a job training space. Leah Nash for NPR hide caption

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Leah Nash for NPR

National

20 Years Since Welfare's Overhaul, Results Are Mixed

The new program did work for millions of families. The idea was that people would be encouraged to find work if they knew their monthly checks would end, but instead, some have been left high and dry.

20 Years Since Welfare's Overhaul, Results Are Mixed

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How America's Child Support System Failed To Keep Up With The Times

President Bill Clinton prepares to sign legislation in 1996 that overhauled America's welfare system — and had a profound effect on the collection of child support. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

National

How America's Child Support System Failed To Keep Up With The Times

The system was set up to ensure that divorced fathers supported their kids. But it has failed to keep up with growing inequality and the rise of nonmarital births.

Despite Fact Checks, Romney Escalates Welfare Work Requirement Charge

President Clinton signs the welfare reform law on Aug. 22, 1996. Stephen Jaffe/Reuters /Landov hide caption

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Stephen Jaffe/Reuters /Landov

It's All Politics

Despite Fact Checks, Romney Escalates Welfare Work Requirement Charge

Wednesday marks the 16th anniversary of President Clinton's welfare overhaul. Republican Mitt Romney keeps saying that President Obama has gutted the law — even though every major fact-checking organization says the claims are false.

Despite Fact Checks, Romney Escalates Welfare Work Requirement Charge

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