Letter to the Editor based on Work Support Programs

Work Support Programs—A Ladder to Self-sufficiency

In response to (cite article in your paper regarding welfare reauthorization).

Since 1996, much progress has been made in helping families in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program build better lives for themselves and their children. However, if the welfare reauthorization bill demands greater responsibility and increased work hours for TANF recipients, it needs to require stronger work supports—the ladder to economic opportunity and self-sufficiency.

Work supports such as education and training, transportation, child care benefits, and health insurance, such as Medicaid, are basic systems of help that enable families to sustain and care for their children on very low wages. Social workers delivering services to many of these families agree that when these supports are available, families have a better chance of leaving welfare permanently. Government at all levels should be concerned with providing these supports to help families achieve self-sufficiency.

Here in _(state)_ many families are penalized for failure to meet the standard work requirements to receive benefits. Research shows that many people cannot meet these work requirements without child care or transportation supports. In many states, (state) being no exception, there is a long waiting list for child care facilities, and many families do not know that they are eligible for help with transportation.

The welfare reauthorization bill should require standardized work supports in every state for people trying to make the transition from welfare to work.