摘要:The 1980s and 1990s have been times of change in federal-state relationships. Many of these changes involve policies toward families. These changes are exemplified in the welfare reform, but are also evidenced in policies toward health care and health care financing, child care, tobacco settlements and legislation, juvenile justice and other issues affecting families. To answer the question, "How are families faring in an era of devolution?" requires examining what devolution is, how it has affected families and its likely future.