The report presents OPPAGA's review of Florida's welfare-reform initiative, the WAGES Program. The WAGES Program is intended to develop opportunities for cash assistance recipients, remove barriers to employment, and end reliance on welfare. In our review, we found that

• WAGES caseloads substantially decreased in recent years due to the program's emphasis on work participation, time limits on benefits, and a strong economy. However, many WAGES participants appear to be experiencing difficulty finding permanent work or retaining jobs, and few earn enough to be financially self-sufficient.
• The Legislature should promote the placement of participants in better quality jobs. Private providers could be provided incentives for placing participants in higher wage jobs that also provide benefits.
• The Legislature should also require the development of post-employment services to help former participants who are working and the working poor achieve long-term financial self-sufficiency.