AREA AGENCIES SEEK ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT WELFARE

If welfare reform measures designed to put more people to work are successful, the poor will find themselves with different needs as they begin the transition to becoming self-supporting. It is encouraging to see that a group of local organizations that help meet needs of the poor are gearing up for that transition.

Aid agencies in Cape Girardeau County have formed a number of task forces to develop ways to better assist a greater number of families that will be affected by welfare reform. Government and social organizations are working together in an effort to make services available to those in transition before the need arises. Among the issues being addressed are child care, transportation, housing, emergency assistance and availability of jobs.

The agencies face quite a task because of the complexity of the consequences that cutbacks in the welfare program will bring. In the process of becoming weaned from welfare, people will find themselves facing new challenges. Questions will arise: Where can I find affordable child care? How do I get to and from work? Where do I get the assistance I need for my family if I can't make ends meet?

Roy Jones, chairman of the Welfare Reform Task Force for Cape Girardeau County, stresses that social service organizations will have to work together more closely, because funding will be limited while requests likely are to increase. The organizations realize that because the entire community will be affected, all of them will have to pool their resources to meet the need.

These dedicated organizations are to be commended for planning ahead to pool resources and coordinate an effort to assure that the needs of everyone are met.