By Katie Mullin

Unless Congress acts by September 30, continued funding of the Welfare-to-Work program will not be available. In 1997, Congress authorized Welfare-to-Work funding in the amount of $3 billion over two years. The Clinton Administration has proposed to provide $750 billion in FY 2000 and $250 million in FY 2001. Mayors are calling for $1 billion in FY 2000, which was resolved at the annual meeting in New Orleans.

On July 1, Senator Daniel Akaka (HI) introduced "Welfare-to-Work Amendments of 1999" on the Senate floor, so as to reauthorize the Welfare-to-Work (WtW) Grants Program in the amount of $1 billion for the FY 2000 budget. Akaka's legislation mirrors H.R. 1482, which was introduced by Rep. Benjamin Cardin (MD) last month, and reflects President Clinton's plan to serve welfare recipients, who have been the hardest to serve, through job creation, placement, and retention efforts. Both bills will authorize funds that can be spent for three years, simplify eligibility requirements, and focus on helping non-custodial parents.

More than seventy-five mayors signed a letter (see below) at the annual meeting in New Orleans, which has been sent to every member of Congress, urging them to reauthorize funding for the Welfare-to-Work (WtW) Program at $1 billion in the FY 2000 budget. Despite declining caseloads nationally, most of those who remain on welfare live in cities and are the hardest to serve. Mayors are very concerned that there will be insufficient resources to meet the needs of welfare recipients as a result of funding limitations imposed by current budget caps.

Meanwhile, momentum is building in the business community to continue the successful partnerships with local governments to move people from welfare to work. In fact, The Welfare-to-Work Partnership, headed by Eli Segal and including over 10,000 business members, is holding Welfare to Work Partnerships - One America on August 2-4, 1999 in Chicago (see box for registration information). The conference will bring together business leaders, local service providers, and government authorities in an effort to develop strategies and establish partnerships that will ensure former welfare recipients the skills, opportunity, and motivation to enter the workforce. Co-chaired by Mayor Richard Daley and Mayor Paul Helmke, the One America conference is first of its kind and will offer the business community the benefits of hiring former welfare recipients, by providing programs like on-the-job training and mentoring.

For more information, contact Joan Crigger of the Conference staff at (202) 861-6726.  

Welfare to Work Partnerships - One America
Navy Pier, Chicago, IL August 2-4, 1999
Sponsored by: The Welfare-to-Work Partnership
3600 16th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20010
Call Diana Warner at (202) 955-3005, ext.318 to register or receive more information.
Registration Deadline: July 23, 1999