The executive summary of an analysis of sanctioned and non-sanctioned cases that relies on administrative data from four counties (Alameda, Fresno, Kern and San Diego). It examines sanction rates; describes and compares the characteristics of sanctioned and non-sanctioned households; examines how sanctions affected recipients’ employment, earnings, and reliance on welfare; and models the likelihood that households with certain characteristics will be sanctioned within their first year of CalWORKs participation.