|
WELFARE REAUTHORIZATION
Creating Economic Security - Promoting the Profession
The interest and involvement of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in the reauthorization of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) (Public Law 104-193) is rooted in the mission and core values of the social work profession. These core values, which include social justice and belief in the dignity and worth of each person, have been embraced by social workers throughout the profession's history and are the foundation of social work's purpose and perspective.
Overall, NASW believes that the most promising strategies to improve public welfare lie beyond the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. As a nation, we should concentrate on creating economic opportunity, strengthening families, and maximizing the ability of everyone, not just those on welfare, to contribute to society. We should develop universal systems of support for meeting basic needs, including health care, food, housing, child care, and education; create job opportunities that pay a living wage and provide a full range of benefits; and ensure economic security through adequate income support for individuals and families unable to support themselves.
While working toward those universal systems of support, NASW believes significant improvements can and should be made to the PRWORA. While the law presents many opportunities for improvement, NASW is focusing its efforts on three priorities:
- Improving assistance to recipients with multiple barriers to self-sufficiency (i.e. mental health disorders, substance abuse, physical disabilities)
- Increasing access to education and training, including higher education
- Eliminating disparate treatment of racial and ethnic minorities in the system
This page will be updated, as needed, based on actions taken by the 109th Congress.
Alerts
Updates
Position Statements
Additional Resources
|
About
NASW