| Work First model is too rigid. People need training for high wage
self-sufficieny jobs. Too often, they are told by caseworkers to leave
school. Hispanics are often afraid to ask questions and leave welfare with
no jobs. Clients often tell us they cannot enroll in our free programs to
help them improve basic skills, because they have to go to job club which
is poorly run and too short sighted. Once a single mom has a low wage job,
she does not have time to get training for a high wage job and is stuck in
poverty. Caseworkers need to encourage recipients to train for high wage
jobs with benefits and mobility in growing fields. Process needs to be
streamlined so that everyone understands it. Currently, there is
incredible confusion. Finally, if recipients are in training, they need
time to complete homework assignments, and this time should be counted as
productive time. Would a system of part-time jobs and part-time school
make more sense? Thank you. Betty Ann Jansson Executive Director Women At
Work. |
