Non-Profit Involvement in Welfare Reform: Fresno County and Proteus, Inc.
NON-PROFIT INVOLVEMENT IN WELFARE REFORM: FRESNO COUNTY AND PROTEUS, INC. (1999)
This report drew on the understandings developed in our ongoing longitudinal study of welfare reform to consider a particular case of non-profit engagement. The focus was on the welfare-to-work effort in Fresno County. Under a contract with Proteus, Inc., a leading non-profit service provider, the investigation was designed to better understand the dynamic policy context in which non-profits are engaged. The study analyzed the perceptions of a variety of community stakeholders about the county's stance on involving the community in welfare reform decision-making, progress on integrating welfare and workforce development services, and the benefits and difficulties associated with contracting service delivery to non-profit organizations. Based on interviews, observations, and review of documents, the analysis revealed a high level of non-profit engagement in Fresno County welfare reform activities.