This study, while also surveying nationwide poverty, concentrated on the ability of Federal income maintenance and manpower policies to alleviate poverty in a selected Mississippi group. Over 3,200 Mississippi families were analyzed for family characteristics and household heads' educational, training, and employment status. Findings included the following: (1) labor force participation, work experience, unemployment, and reliance on one wage earner were more prevalent in the Mississippi group, and educational levels were lower, than for the poor nationwide; (2) the chief needs were for medical aid, food supplements (needed by 80% of families), and some form of money supplement (if only temporarily to encourage participation in training programs); (3) over 40% of household heads needed training and adult basic education, and over 70% (largely men under 45 but also many men over 45 and females) were possible beneficiaries of manpower programs. The characteristics and needs of the Mississippi group coincided with the objectives and eligibility criteria for Federal income maintenance and manpower programs, and areas of greatest need were receiving some attention. Program adequacy must be questioned, however, in view of adults' willingness and ability to participate, and program dependence on future budget allocations. (author/ly)