Addressing Barriers to Employment: Detecting and Treating Health and Behavioral Problems Among New Jersey's TANF Clients

Examines New Jersey’s efforts to identify and provide services to TANF clients with health and behavioral problems. Estimates the prevalence of specific problems, the extent to which line staff identify clients with these problems, and the fraction of clients referred to relevant services. Finds that staff succeed in identifying many clients with health and behavior problems but refer only a modest fraction to services. Identifies policy and program options for helping clients, including ways to enhance screening procedures, provide additional training to case managers and other staff, facilitate communication among agencies working with TANF clients, fill gaps in existing services, and modify work activities to reflect treatment demands.