Welfare Reform for Addiction Professionals

The Four Clocks, a Reminder

The Welfare Reform Clock. The welfare reform clock relates to the requirements regarding how long a TANF parent can receive cash welfare benefits before she must find work and the total number of years that she can receive these benefits during her lifetime.

The Child Welfare Clock. The child welfare clock relates to the requirements regarding how long parents with children in the foster care system have to develop a safe and nurturing family environment to which their children can be returned and before parents lose custody of their children forever.

The Child Development Clock. The child development clock refers to the developmental timetables that affect children, especially young children as they achieve bonding or attachment during the first 18 months, the critical period of brain development in a young child's life.

The Treatment Clock. The treatment clock relates to the addicted parent's timetable for treatment and recovery. For parents who may not be ready for treatment or who have relapsed but are still working at their recovery, their treatment timetable may be incompatible with the welfare reform and child welfare deadlines (Young et al. 1998).