Head Start and Welfare Reform

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The history of welfare reform and the impact of welfare reform on Head Start and low-income families was examined. Head Start families are largely impacted by welfare reform because at least half of the parents enrolled in Head Start have received welfare benefits (Turnel; Barbaro, & Schlank, 1990). However, the current body of literature does not address differences between half day and fill-day Head Start programs. Since child care settings, including Head Start, have the potential to help parents and children transition smoothly from welfare to work, the authors argue this is a critical area to study.