Second-Order Devolution Revolution and the Hidden Structural Discrimination? Examining County Welfare-to-Work Service Systems in California. Issue 5 (18th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chang, Yu-Ling; Lanfranconi, Lucia Marina; Clark, Kevin
• Is Part Of: Journal of poverty. Volume 24:Issue 5/6(2020)
• Page Start: 430
• Page End: 450
• Publication Date: 2020-09-18
• Subjects: Second-order devolution -- welfare-to-Work -- structural discrimination -- critical race theory -- intersectionality; Poverty -- United States -- Periodicals; Poor -- United States -- Periodicals; Public welfare -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.05
• DOI: 10.1080/10875549.2020.1728010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-5549

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Drawing from Critical Race Theory (CRT), and a structural intersectionality framework, we examine intersecting structural inequalities embedded in county welfare-to-work (WTW) service delivery in California. Using a mixed-method analytic approach, our results reveal that second-order-devolution revolution (SODR) shapes intersecting gender, racial, class, and spatial inequalities, and reproduces white supremacy. We find that counties with multiple privileged socioeconomic characteristics operate employment - or training-oriented WTW systems, whereas counties with multiple disadvantaged socioeconomic characteristics operate sanction - or education-oriented WTW systems. We discuss policy solutions to address the disparities in WTW service delivery systems.