Throughout this year, The Detroit News has explored the forces that hold people in poverty during unprecedented good economic times, and that now threaten them even more as Michigan struggles through a recession.

Today's Report:
Welfare reform's impact:
Five years after Michigan reformed its welfare system, thousands of people have moved off the dole and into jobs. And thousands are better off than when they were on welfare. Yet many remain poor, struggling to get by on low-wage jobs. And now there are signs that the recession is beginning to roll back some of the successes.

Part II: Aug. 19-21, 2001:
For the working poor, living is simply more expensive, making it hard to break the chains of poverty.

Part I: March 25, 2001:
For those moving from welfare to work, the lack of an efficient transit system is one of the biggest obstacles.

Where to get help

      People in poverty seeking information about the Family Independence Program (FIP) should contact their local Family Independence Agency offices. The following telephone numbers are the main offices in each county, which provide referrals to more localized welfare offices, including 29 in Wayne County, five in Oakland and three in Macomb.

Wayne: (313) 256-1000
Oakland: (248) 975-4804
Macomb: (810) 412-6100
Livingston: (517) 548-0200

      FIA offices are located in all 83 counties in Michigan. For information from the main office in Lansing, call (517) 373-2035.

Child care aid

Michigan program
Michigan's Child Development and Care Program, offered by the Family Independence Agency (FIA), helps low-income people pay for child care. For information or to apply for the program, call your county FIA office or go online at www.michigan.gov and click on Family Health & Safety.

Federal tax subsidies
The Federal Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC) credit allows parents to deduct a certain percentage of their child care expenses when they file their federal income tax return. To learn about the CDCC credit, call the IRS at (800) 829-1040 or visit the IRS Web site at http://www.irs.gov.

Federal Earned Income Credit (EIC) is intended to help low- and moderate-income workers bear the costs of child care more easily. To find out if you qualify, call the IRS. Source: Family Independence Agency, Careguide.com

Find help online

      Here are links to private and government agencies that help low-income families.
Focus:HOPE -- offers food, child care, job and educational training, in Detroit: (313) 494-5500.
Charity Motors Inc. -- Charity Motors Car Donation Program, accepts automobiles and resells some of them at low prices, in Detroit: (313) 255-1000.
RideShare -- free service of SEMCOG that assists in finding carpool and/or vanpool partners. 1-866-510-POOL.
Michigan Family Independence Agency
National Homeless Coalition

      Detroit's Work Place provides service and references to other agencies that help the working poor. Call (313) 962-WORK, or, for similar services outside Detroit, 1-800-285-WORK.

Want to help?

Mother Waddles Car Donation Program, provides donated cars to low-income people who need transportation, in Hamtramck: (313) 891-4475.
Charity Motors Car Donation Program, accepts automobiles and resells some of them at low prices, in Detroit: (313) 255-1000.
Southfield Career Center, accepts information about automobiles for sale or for donation, in Southfield. Mildred Peevos, (248) 945-5100, ext. 104.
Wayne County Family Center, operated by Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, accepts information about automobiles, in Westland. Cynthia S. Haberman, (734) 721-0590.