TASK FORCE READIES FOR PILOT WORK PROGRAM

The Welfare Reform Task Force is weeks away from seeing the fruits of its first year of planning to help needy Cape Girardeau County families.

Roy Jones, task force chairman, said the committee hopes to begin a pilot work program within the next month. The weeklong program will provide 10 mothers receiving welfare assistance with job-finding skills and give them the chance to land jobs with area employers at the end of the program.

The task force also expects to receive a report containing recommendations for a specific welfare reform plan for the county within the next two months. The report is being written by the Mount Auburn Group, a consulting firm contracted by the state to assist the task force with its efforts.

"We have spent much of the year trying to identify areas of need and a plan of action," Jones said. "We have developed this pilot program to see what we can do to help people. Obviously, getting a job is one of the major goals of welfare reform, but there's a strong interest in not just getting a job, but also enjoying the job, developing skills and something of a support group at their jobs."

Jones said the task force wants parents in the program to form mentor relationships to provide for future job concerns. The group is committed to helping people find jobs they are suited for and can enjoy.

"I'm very hopeful for everybody concerned that we would be able to help find not just work but work they can have a future in," he said.

The task force was organized in December 1996 after local agencies decided to pool their resources and prepare for the time when funding became limited and assistance requests increased.

The group, led by the Community Caring Council, is working to formulate community policy to better assist some 500 adults and their families in Cape Girardeau County who are affected by the new system.

Members have studied various issues over the past year. Some of the issues identified as high-impact areas by the group include child care, transportation, housing, emergency assistance and available jobs.

Jones said welfare reform appears to be working so far. People are finding work, and the number of county residents receiving government assistance has decreased. However, food requests have increased at area food pantries, suggesting some people are experiencing negative effects.

Jones said it would probably take two to three years to determine whether local agencies will be able to meet requests on a long-term basis.

"The amazing thing in the reports I'm getting is I know it is up, but so far at least we've been able to cope," he said. "It could get worse when the toughest people to help get down to the end of their benefits."

Representatives from local social service organizations and local, county and state government officials in Cape Girardeau County comprise the membership of the task force. Jones said membership is fluid, however, to allow for the needs of the group and the commitments of other members.