Race and Discretion in the Implementation of Welfare Reform: An Analysis of Local Variation n TANF Sanctioning Policies

This proposal requests funding to conduct an analysis of variation in the TANF sanctioning process across county TANF offices in the state of Florida. The project has two general goals. First, I will collect infonnation on TANF sanctioning policies across all 67 of Florida's counties to detennine the extent to which sanctioning policies differ across counties, and to investigate the factors that are related to these differences. Second, using administrative data I will examine the extent to which county level sanctioning rates and racial disparities in sanctioning rates are related to local sanctioning policies, as well as other features ofthe local environment. The results of the study should provide some guidance to policYmakers and policy advocates concerning the degree of equity in the treatment ofTANF clients within states, and the role oflocal office policies in contributing to overall sanctioning rates and racial disparities in sanctioning rates. 1