Organizational and community health changes under welfare reform.

Abstract

This article comments on changes made by health-related organizations and in community health during the first years of New Jersey's welfare reform policy implementation in Camden, Essex, and Hudson counties (1992-1998). Throughout these years, county welfare agencies made organizational changes that shifted their focus from supporting family well-being to encouraging work. Health care provider organizations now are beginning to make organizational changes in response to the ripple effects of welfare reform policy. Specific actions to initiate and influence healthy welfare policy reformulation are presented.