A study examined the use of, and the need for, the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act funding reserves for sex equity programs and programs for displaced homemakers, single parents, and single pregnant women. Of 34 local program operators interviewed, 17 received sex equity grants, and 22 received displaced homemaker, single parent, or single pregnant women grants. Nine states provided comprehensive enrollment and outcome data: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. In Oregon, employment and wages steadily rose each year following participation in a displaced homemaker/single parent program. In Florida, 71 percent of participants were employed and doubled their incomes at the time of enrollment. An Arizona follow-up survey revealed an increase in median hourly wage and median hours worked. Following completion of Georgia's "New Connections" displaced homemaker/single parent programs, average salary was over $7,000 more than the average placement salary for Georgia high school graduates. In Maine, 59 percent reported being employed in a 6-month follow-up survey. Pennsylvania calculated savings of $1,966,524 that accrue to the state from displaced homemaker/single parent programs due solely to reductions in public assistance. Family empowerment programs were recommended as a continued focus of federal vocational education and job training initiatives. (Demographics of program participants and excerpts from the Perkins Act are appended.) (YLB)