No attempt was made to prioritize among them, nor to distinguish between indicators of dependence and the risk factors associated with welfare receipt. In contrast, this first Annual Report attempts to narrow the focus and progress toward the charge of the Welfare Indicators Act. Chapter I proposes that the multiple dimensions of dependence be assessed with a few key measures and includes for discussion a small set of indicators that, if determined to be useful in tracking welfare dependence, could be analyzed on a regular basis to help address the goal of reducing welfare dependence among families with children. As a starting point for discussion, the Advisory Board on Welfare Indicators suggested consideration of the following proposed definition of dependence. Some summary data on the proposed measures is also included.
Welfare dependency is the proportion of all families who are dependent on welfare.
The task of defining welfare dependence for the purpose of tracking it over time is a difficult one. In proposing a definition, the Advisory Board grappled with any number of issues. The proposed definition is not without its limitations, if for no other reason than the complexity of the task. The seriousness of the issue is complicated by the challenge to identify a small set of indicators. This report recognizes that the definition is, at this point, only a proposal for discussion.