AG 1995 04 03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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should not significantly differ from the main stream of those seeking better jobs ,d) there should be measurable consequences for failure to comply and/or e) recipients must not be penalized for getting work. In a), JOBS and many other work preparation programs spend inordinate amounts of time on preparing for work. In fact, in some cases the preparation becomes a job for the client. Under CETA, a 60s poverty work program, it was not unusual to find clients going to school for a variety of skills ,but never finding a job. Under JOBS that is not as much of a problem, but there is still too much time spent on preparation without job activity. Our program will put job activity in a high priority position and require it as part of any training or reeducation plan. We agree with Kenosha County, Wisconsin, who say" ...one of the contributing factors to long term dependence on public assistance is the change in life-style that occurs when an AF1)C recipient no longer has to meet the day-to-day demands of the workplace in terms of time away from home and level of commitment needed to stay employed. Long -term dependency is often characterized by the inability to cope with the multiple demands that the labor market places upon the working parent." Kenosha County further notes that job activity ..... "helps clarify occupational objectives, presents positive role models to dependent children, contributes to self-esteem by enabling the participant to contribute in a partial way to their own economic subsistence, adds substance to an employment resume, and maintains parental coping skills." In b), we refer to the notion promoted by many job preparation programs, that unless the job activity can support the family, it is not worth pursuing. In short, a job is only good if it can support self-sufficiency. Our program will seek work activity regardless of hours or wages, promoting work as a value. Self-sufficiency is not something that can be achieved all at once with the capture of one well paying job after little or no employment history. It is far more reasonable to assume that it is a gradual process that includes part-time, seasonal, and full time employment at lower wages before the high paying job that leads to independence is attainable. In c), current programs separate work from training and education. You can not do both. This is not what the main stream has done, or will do, in the future. Very o~en, work is viewed as the vehicle to training and education~ Our clients, on the other hand, view AFDC or government as the vehicle. Our program will provide work and education or training as a desirable and required duel goal. In d), the concept that you do not need significant sanctions, as clients would be or could be motivated to participate in job search and preparation, has not proven to be valid for many AFDC recipients. People who have had no role models, or have had no reason to consider work as an option, are unlikely to be easily motivated. Given the tame nature of the current sanctions, it is satisfactory for the client to accept a sanction rather than change a life style. Our program will take sanctions unless good cause can be demonstrated. Sanctions will be sufficiently strong to promote participation.