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Resolutions Adopted at the
67th Annual Conference of Mayors
New Orleans, Louisiana
June 11-15, 1999 |
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JOBS, EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE
WELFARE-TO-WORK
WHEREAS, The U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly supported the creation of the
Welfare-to-Work program because of concern that welfare reform, specifically Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) which was created by the Personal Responsibility and
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), would not adequately support the
achievement of the employment goals driving welfare reform especially self-sufficiency;
and
WHEREAS, a majority of states applied for FY 98 formula funding and are in the
process of applying for FY 99 formula funding; and
WHEREAS, many cities across the country and local organizations in collaboration
with cities, have focused on the competitive grants -- the remaining 25 percent of
Welfare-to-Work funding -- evidenced by over 1,400 applications received by the U.S.
Department of Labor Department received for the first of two rounds of competition; and
WHEREAS, the Welfare-to-Work program was created as compliment -- a necessary
one -- to the TANF program, using highly targeted funds to help localities move long-term
recipients with multiple barriers into work; and
WHEREAS, the need for targeted funds is even more pronounced as caseloads drop
statewide, while cities register much slower rates of decline, leaving many cities with a
disproportionate share of hard-to-place recipients; and
WHEREAS, employers have expressed concern over the lack of available skilled
workers, with many studies focusing on the deficiency in skills of long-term welfare
recipients, a U.S. Conference of Mayors study found that nine of 10 cities surveyed did
not have enough low-skilled jobs to place recipients in work activities; and
WHEREAS, the Welfare-to-Work program was enacted in August 1997, with an
effective date of October 1, 1997 and most states did not receive FY 98 funds until late
in 1998 and with three years to expend funds, this program is in its initial stages,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors opposes any
efforts to weaken the Welfare-to-Work program by diverting unused funds, reducing
agreed-upon funding levels; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the
reauthorization of the Welfare-to-Work program that is supportive of the lessons learned
in the initial stages of implementation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the
reinvestment of any unused funds into the program, the investment of new funding where it
is needed and the extension of time for the program where the funds have not been
allocated; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the immediate
passage of a technical amendment to the Welfare-to-Work legislation that will simplify the
eligibility requirements for current money; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The U. S. Conference of Mayors urges greater
communication and coordination between the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services to provide leadership at the federal and state
levels to ensure the best services for the most in need welfare recipients; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it is critical that the competitive grants are
coordinated at the local level to ensure that any grant fits into the local long-term
strategic plan.
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