HHS Approves Welfare Reform Demonstration for West Virginia
HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today approved "Joint Opportunities for Independence" (JOIN), a statewide welfare demonstration project for West Virginia. West Virginia is the 30th state to receive approval for a welfare waiver under the Clinton administration.
"West Virginia's program emphasizes President Clinton's goal of moving people into work quickly," said Secretary Shalala. "The demonstration provides strong supports and penalties to ensure that two-parent Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) families take their work responsibilities seriously."
The demonstration provides opportunities for adults in two-parent families to gain valuable work experience with private employers, while adding a travel expense stipend and an income disregard to assist these working families. The private employers who provide JOIN work experience positions would pay individuals $1.00 per hour to cover work and travel expenses. This amount would then be disregarded in the determination of AFDC-Unemployed Parent eligibility and benefit levels.
The state will impose fiscal sanctions on the family in the event that an adult fails to participate in JOIN. Participation will not be required, however, of parents already participating in a Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training Program (JOBS) activity. The state will provide child care when both parents participate in program activities and will continue to exempt families who lack adequate transportation.
"The JOIN demonstration invests in families by providing work experience, job training and child care critical to achieve economic self-sufficiency," said Mary Jo Bane, HHS assistant secretary for children and families. "West Virginia is directing its innovation in welfare reform to a work-intensive program to ensure parents a more successful transition from welfare to work."
The demonstration will operate for five years, beginning Oct. 1, 1995, and include a rigorous evaluation.
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
Contact: Michael Kharfen (202) 401-9215
