Making the Link: Pregnancy Prevention in the New Welfare Era offers strategies to prevent unintended pregnancy in an era in which the nation's welfare program has a changed mission, more money, and greater reach. The enactment of the 1996 welfare law allows federal welfare funds to be spent on an array of pregnancy prevention activities and family planning services; furthermore, welfare funds are no longer limited to welfare recipients who receive grants -- funds may be spent on individuals who have never been a part of the welfare system. These fundamental policy changes, along with nearly $8 billion of unspent welfare funds, allow states to consider whether and how to invest in a range of strategies to prevent unintended pregnancy. The law permits, but does not require, any such investment. Nevertheless, a number of states are creating new ways to address unintended pregnancy. Some states are linking welfare offices and family planning services -- through co-location, information dissemination, referrals, case management, education, and training. Others are tapping welfare funds to provide education, information, or services to those who might never enter a welfare office. Some programs target adults, others teens; some include a focus on males. Making the Link seeks to provide insight into different types of links and how to make them work
