Social Programs That Work provides an in-depth look at some of the nation's best interventions over the past few decades and considers their potential for national expansion. The authors examine programs designed to improve children's reading skills, curb juvenile delinquency and substance abuse, and move people off welfare into the workforce. Each contributor discusses the design and implementation of a particular program and assesses how well particular goals were met.

Social Programs That Work represents a landmark attempt to use social science criteria to identify and strengthen the programs most likely to make a real difference in addressing the nation's social ills.