HHS News Release

"The study released today by Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation on the New Hope Program in Milwaukee proves investments in working families -- particularly child care and health care -- yield very impressive results in helping families succeed in jobs and improve the well-being of children, especially boys. The investments mirror the Clinton administration's accomplishments and proposals for working families, including the Children's Health Insurance Program, expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the new initiative to provide more child care."

"New Hope adds important information for the nation as a promising model to help low income parents, some who were on welfare, get and keep jobs, increase their earnings and enhance their children's lives. The study reported that earnings supports, such as the EITC boosted family income and child care and health care services enabled parents to stay employed. Also, the report gives us one of the first results on how a working families program affects children. One of the critical ingredients to the program's success was quality child care and after school programs. Better quality programs helped boys better their classroom behavior, school performance and social competence. In addition, the quality child care programs meant that parents had less stress, fewer worries and improved parent/child relations."

"We look forward to more results on New Hope and its lessons to obtain more support to help working families succeed."

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Contact: Michael Kharfen, (202) 401-9215