Kansas, like Michigan, uses a service strategy. But rather than focusing on employment needs and services, case managers draw from a mix of services and assessment tools to deal with a wide range of family needs, including learning disabilities, mental health, and substance abuse. Likewise, states that stress caseload reduction also use varying structures and services. Like Minnesota, Wisconsin offers incentives to which families are expected to respond. It stresses independence from cash assistance, while Minnesota mixes cash assistance and earnings to maximize income.
Some states offer varied services to minimize cash assistance caseloads.
Finally, some states have devolved considerable control and responsibility for developing programs down to localities, in most cases county governments, though sometimes private contractors. But there are important exceptions. First, goals are not always predictable based on spending and benefit levels. Tennessee, for example, is a low-benefit state that stresses work participation. To motivate clients to engage in work and educational activities, it offers cash bonuses for achieving certain thresholds, such as completing a training or educational program.