BOOTHEEL NEEDS AFTER WELFARE TO BE STUDIED

Researchers with Southeast Missouri State University's Bootheel Initiative have formed a research consortium to survey individual and family needs and issues in the Bootheel counties of Butler, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott and Stoddard.

The Bootheel Initiative, funded by the Missouri Division of Family Services, will determine characteristics and needs of individuals and families receiving welfare. It will fund needed job and work-related training and youth services for the Bootheel counties.

Legislative committees have predicted that as many as 500 Bootheel families stand to have their welfare benefits reduced this spring and could lose all benefits in spring 2002. Data from the Bootheel Initiative and its research will help coordinate development of job training and placement as well as other programs to meet immediate needs, said the head of the team, Dr. Paul Keys, dean of Southeast's College of Health and Human Services.

Four of the Bootheel counties are among the worst in the state in terms of risks to children and families.

The consortium consists of researchers from Southeast, The George Warren Brown School of Social Work of Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Missouri-Columbia, the Office of Research and Evaluation of the Missouri Department of Social Services, Southeast Missouri Private Industry Council and the Area III Office (Southeast Missouri) of the Missouri Division of Family Services.