News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 10, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact:  Kathy Davis, Governor's WorkFirst Performance Team, 360-586-4066

Washington's child poverty rate declining; well below national trend

OLYMPIA - The state of Washington has reduced the proportion of children living in poverty by more than one-quarter between 1993 and 1998, according to a report issued today by the National Center for Children in Poverty.

"While there's still far too many children living in poverty in Washington, our state is moving in the right direction," said Gov. Gary Locke. "More than 30,000 children were able to escape poverty during the five-year period captured in this report."

With 11.1 percent of children under age 18 living below the poverty level in 1998, Washington's child poverty rate was significantly lower than the national rate of 18.7 percent.

Washington's child poverty rate fell from 15 percent in 1993 to 11.1 percent in 1998, a 26.4 percent decline. During the same period, welfare caseloads dropped by 38 percent.

"Poverty is clearly a condition affecting children's chances to thrive and reach their full potential," said Dennis Braddock, secretary of the state's Department of Social and Health Services. "There is no more important work than the job that DSHS, our partner agencies, and our community partner are doing to help families move out of poverty and into self-sufficiency."

WorkFirst, Washington's welfare reform program, began in 1997. The program requires parents receiving temporary cash assistance to seek, prepare for and accept employment. Families receive support through employment services, job training, and help with childcare, transportation, clothing and other work-related costs.

According to the center's report, several states experienced large welfare caseload declines, but not a corresponding drop in child poverty.

Since 1997, welfare caseloads in Washington have declined by 43 percent, and WorkFirst has helped more than 100,000 welfare recipients become employed. The state has cut the cost of welfare grants by half, saving $250 million per year. Those savings are being reinvested into services working families need most to stay employed and get ahead. Specifically, Washington has tripled the funds available to help struggling families afford childcare, and increased funds for job training and tuition assistance by 80 percent.

WorkFirst is jointly administered by four state agencies: Department of Social and Health Services; Employment Security Department; Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development; and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

For more information about the report issued today by the National Center for Children in Poverty, see the press release on their Web site, at: http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/nccp/cp2release.html

For more information about Washington WorkFirst, visit the program's Web site at: http://www.wa.gov/WORKFIRST/index.htm

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