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Q. What about rural communities where there aren't any jobs? <br /> A. Employers tell me they can't Fill jobs. I want DHR,Commerce &Worlfforce Preparedness Commission <br /> to work with ESC etc- to identify those jobs. I want to see proof of a county with no jobs -- public or <br /> private — at all. If there's no private sector job,I'm sure there's a public-sector need. <br /> In some areas, transportation is a problem. That's why we're raising the asset limits on cars. People <br /> need dependable transportation to get to and from work—even if that work is in a neighboring county. <br /> Q. What about people who can't get jobs? What will they do under Work First? <br /> A. If someone can't work because of a physical or mental disability, they should be in a different program, <br /> like SSI(Supplemental Security Income).But even disabled citizens can earn benefits. We'll be working <br /> with public and private vocational rehab providers to help them. <br /> If people have a problem --like drug or alcohol addiction,or no job skills -- they'll have to get treatment <br /> or training. <br /> But once that's done, no more excuses. When Work First is fully implemented, every able-bodied adult <br /> should be in a job. In 12 weeks. And you can only stay on welfare for 2 years. <br /> Implementation <br /> Q. What have you done to put Work First in place? <br /> A. Waivers are part of our effort, but we're doing other things too. We've been working hard to prepare <br /> the way for Work First, using options under existing regulations. Some of the things we've done so far <br /> include: <br /> Requiring everyone actively participating in Work First to spend at least 30 hours a week in work— <br /> paid or unpaid—and/or short-term training. <br /> Introducing the personal responsibility agreement when someone applies for welfare. JJnder <br /> waivers this becomes mandatory.) <br /> Requiring local welfare offices to assign participants community work experience when paid private <br /> employment isn't available. <br /> Emphasizing the importance of immunizing children and keeping them in school. (Under waivers <br /> this becomes mandatory.) <br /> _ Educating recipients on the benefits of leaving welfare under current law. <br /> Limiting all training to two years. <br /> Requiring welfare recipients to help establish paternity of their children <br /> Q. What about people who were in the JOBS program;-maybe in a four-year degree <br /> program? What will happen to them? <br /> A.We're handling each one on a case-by-case basis. If someone is close to getting a degree, they'll be <br /> allowed to finish. If they have three years to go, then they'll have to look for a job like anyone else. <br /> Q. You say that you'll let people get job training if they can't find a job. How is that <br /> different from the JOBS programs that you said wasn't effective? <br /> A. It's fundamentally different. (1)Participation is mandatory.There's no opting out, or refusing to <br /> participate. (2) We'll have tougher sanctions, and they'll be enforced. Drop out of training, and you'll <br /> lose your welfare benefits. (3) It's temporary.The word that's used a lot is "transitional." So there's a <br /> two-year time limit_ (4)The training will be short-term, intensive, hands-on, and targeted to real jobs. <br /> And (5) finding a job is the main focus of Work First, not training. <br /> Page 2 <br />