Family Independence Contracts and Outcomes: 2000 to 2002
October 2002
The Family Independence Act requires the Legislative Audit Council to report every two years on the success and effectiveness of the policies and programs created under the act. This is our fourth report about the Family Independence program and its management by the S.C. Department of Social Services (DSS).
We focused on how DSS has used welfare funds to contract with other state agencies and private organizations for services to low-income families. Federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funds, together with state matching funds, are the primary sources of funding for the Family Independence program. In addition, we reviewed the three outcome measures as required by S.C. Code §43-5-1285 — the number of individuals no longer receiving welfare, the number of clients participating in education and training, and the number finding employment.