Front Matter -- Welfare reform is taking place across the United States -- Possible Effects of Welfare -- How the Effects of Welfare Have Been Studied -- WHAT ROLE DOES WELFARE RECEIPT PLAY IN CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT? -- WHEN AND FOR WHOM DOES WELFARE HAVE LONG-TERM IMPACTS? -- HOW DO CHILDREN FARE WHEN THEIR MOTHERS COMBINE WORK WITH WELFARE RECEIPT? -- LESSONS FROM THE STATES -- REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY -- BOARD ON CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES -- PARTICIPANTS, RESEARCH BRIEFING ON WELFARE AND CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT -- Other Reports from the Board on Children, Youth, and Families.