Agenda - 12-04-1995 - Early - Special Work Session

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WORK FIRST REFORmi,vG NORTH CAROLINA 'S WELFARE SYSTE:II Work First is Governor Jim Hunt's welfare reform effort. revamping the state's welfare system to require work and personal responsibility—moving people from welfare to work. The Governor's plan puts people to work,sets strict time limits on benefits and tough sanctions for those who refuse to participate. It eases re-entry to the job market through job training and temporary help with child care and health care costs. It streamlines and simplifies the welfare system,cutting red tape. 4i'nrk First is the centerpiece of Governor Hunt's welfare reform package which also includes cracking down on parents who refuse to support their children and working to prevent teenage pregnancv. Estimates show we could cut the welfare rolls by 20 percent just by collecting all child support payments owed to'children on welfare. Following are key components of Work First: WORD Work First requires people to get a job—paid or unpaid—within 12 weeks of receiving their first AFDC check.They must be working and/or be in short-term training for at least 30 hours per week. Work First gets people into the workforce early, then motivates them to move to self- sufficiency. It revamps the JOBS program, which put more emphasis on training and less on work. State and county agencies will work with local employers to identify jobs in every community. Chambers of commerce and business and professional organizations will be encouraged to develop programs, like the N.C. Restaurant Association has in place now,to help welfare recipients get jobs. In 1994-95 employers listed a record 356,767 job openings with local employment security offices—an increase of almost 15 percent over the prior year.North Carolina's economy is continuing to add about 3,000 new jobs each month. Job training under Work First is limited to two years.The second year, people must work in addition to their training. Work First also increases the family asset limits to 53,000 and the vehicle value limit to 55.000 for AFDC and food stamps.The increased limits encourage savings and assure dependable transportation to work. Lack of dependable transportation is one of the major barriers to work. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY Work First requires welfare recipients to take personal responsibility for their families and to make plans for `ctting off welfare. All AFDC applicants must sign'a bindin;_ contract that (over)