OPTIMISM IS GROWING OVER WELFARE REFORM IN MISSOURI

Gov. Mel Carnahan last week unveiled a comprehensive welfare-reform package entitled "Beyond Welfare," which he intends to submit to state legislators next year.

The governor's plan launches initiatives for preventing, reducing and ending welfare.

Several area legislators working toward major changes in the state's welfare system praised the governor's initiative and said it should complement the efforts of a joint interim committee on welfare reform and attempts at the federal level to change the system.

"I think he's doing and saying the same things many of us have been doing and saying for many years," said Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, a longtime advocate of children and family issues.

"We have to realize that what works is work, and we need to rework the system to make it all work. One of the most important things we all have to do is work together coordinating and collaborating with agencies like we have done in Cape Girardeau with the Community Caring Council."

In his announcement last week, Carnahan said it is clear the welfare system is not working. "It is imperative that we end the cycle of generational welfare," said the governor. "Welfare should be viewed as temporary assistance, not a way of life.

"That is why I am proposing to replace the old system with one that combines education, jobs and human services. Emphasis will be placed on job creation rather than welfare, and family self-sufficiency."

Under the governor's plan, families are dealt with on a case-by-case basis to determine the steps that need be taken to help them achieve self-sufficiency within a time period tailored to their specific needs.

Said Carnahan, "The idea is to work with families and plan a transition period that will successfully lead to independence without subjecting them to a sudden loss of resources."

Sen. Jerry Howard, D-Dexter, who along with Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, is among five senators on the interim committee, said he is encouraged by all the talk of reform.

"I think it is good to hear the governor out there trying to initiate and trying to be supportive of those of us wanting to do something with welfare," said Howard. "This is something the administration will have to help take the lead on because there are a lot of policy decisions involved."

Rep. Jim Graham, R-Fredericktown, who is one of five House members on the joint panel, said he wants to study the governor's proposal. He said the interim committee has another meeting scheduled for Dec. 29 and expects to have a bill ready to introduce by Jan. 17.

Graham said the overall goal of the effort is to reduce incentives for people to be on welfare because in some cases it is more beneficial to people to be on welfare than to work.

"Instead of welfare we need to find a way to empower the people," said Graham.

Another issue that has surfaced for the interim committee is a need for day care for low-income parents who work or attend educational classes.

"I am afraid that it may not go as far as I would like to see it in accountability and reform," said Graham. "I think everybody at least realizes that the same welfare programs that have been in existence for a long time have not worked. The system is feeding on itself."

Graham said some states have made drastic changes in welfare systems, but he is unsure what will happen in Missouri if lawmakers attempt to limit benefits and make major changes.

"I think you will see some changes in the system, but I'm not sure how far they will go. There are a lot of groups who are advocating reform," said Graham.

Whatever is done, the second-term representative said he wants to be sure the answers are not tied to more bureaucracy and new programs that will be expensive to maintain.

Said Graham, "I think everybody believes in helping people help themselves, and helping people when they are down and out, but we just don't want it to be a perpetual thing."

Howard said the potential for opposition makes it essential that the governor be a key player in meaningful reform.

"The administration is going to have to be there because there will be considerable opposition from certain sectors of the legislature; areas that have significant client populations will be affected by any kind of reform that is attempted," said Howard.

Kasten said she likes Carnahan's emphasis on early childhood education, the need to get fathers involved and be held accountable for child support, expansion of the Futures program that provides education and training opportunities for welfare recipients, and improved integration of services.

"Overall, I feel like this is a good blueprint and picks up on what we have been working on for several years," said Kasten. "There is so much in this area that needs to be done, including trying to get rid of fraud in the system. I surely think some of it will get through next year."

Like many other legislators, Kasten is optimistic that the state is on track for major reform in welfare.

Said Kasten: "I think everybody is finally on the right track and it will take some time. But when it comes down to reality we will have to fight people who don't want any changes in the welfare system."

Other provisions of the governor's proposals include:

--Wages not Welfare: AFDC grants would be used as wage supplements to reward work, create jobs and promote economic development. AFDC recipients and community residents would be trained to provide some neighborhood services that are often assigned to professionals from outside the community. Work would be rewarded by allowing families to keep and save a greater share of the money they earn so they can get back on their feet.

--Family Self-sufficiency: Families could negotiate with the state a time-limited self-sufficiency pact. It would lay out steps a family would take to achieve self-sufficiency within a time period tailored to the needs of the family. In return, the state would provide needed support services.

--Fathers and Their Children: Fathers who owe the state child support could earn credit against their debt by becoming more involved in their communities and their children's lives. Also, fathers paying child support would have a larger role in their children's lives by establishing savings accounts for their children with child support payments.

--Educare: Child-care funding would be used to increase the educational quality of day care. Schools would be able to use federal funds to either establish Educare programs at sites away from schools, or provide support services and educational enhancements to child care providers that offer Educare.