Neeraj Kaushal and Jane Waldfogel Win Frank R. Breul Memorial Prize

For Immediate Release

November 26, 2007

New York, NY –Associate Professor Neeraj Kaushal and Professor Jane Waldfogel at the Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW) have been selected to receive the prestigious 2008 Frank R. Breul Memorial Prize. The prize is awarded annually to the best article published in Social Service Review.

The title of their winning article (also coauthored with alumna, Qin Gao ‘05PhD) is “Welfare Reform and Family Expenditures: How are Single Mothers Adapting to the New Welfare and Work Regime?” Published in the September 2007 issue of the Review, the article examines the association between welfare reform and expenditure patterns of poor single-mother families.  The authors found  that while welfare reform has not changed total expenditures in families headed by low-educated single mothers, it has shifted expenditures towards items that facilitate work outside the home, such as spending on transportation, food away from home, and adult clothing, footwear and accessories.  In contrast, welfare reform is not found to be related to changes in expenditures on child care or learning and enrichment activities. 

Established in 1927, the Review features in-depth observations and balanced research from social welfare scholars and practitioners, as well as economists, theologians, historians, psychologists, and political scientists.  Articles cover a wide array of research on social issues such as child welfare, health care, social welfare policy, homelessness, community, clinical practice, and juvenile delinquency.

For more information, please contact Jeannie Hii at 212-851-2327 or jy2223@columbia.edu.