Mona Basta Receives the 2003 Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship from the National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF)

The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) is pleased to name Mona Basta, MSW, as the recipient of the 2003 Eileen Blackey Doctoral Fellowship for her dissertation research in welfare policy and practice. Ms. Basta is researching the specific pathways through which former welfare recipients make child care decisions, and to inform policy and practice based on a greater understanding of these choices.

According to Ms. Basta’s research proposal, single mothers who leave Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) often report problems with child care that interfere with their attendance and performance at work. Additionally, many experience difficulties in coordinating childcare and transportation arrangements due to their often variable and non-traditional work schedules.

Ms. Basta’s dissertation will present the information single mothers receive about child care alternatives and financial assistance, and identify the people, organizations, and other sources from which they obtain this information. Finally, she will demonstrate how parents evaluate this information and select child care providers.

Ms. Basta expects to complete her research in November 2004.

Currently, Ms. Basta is enrolled in the doctoral program in social welfare at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work. She earned her master’s degree in social work from Temple University, and her bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore.