Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 9, 2002
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Ken Miller, Gov. Locke’s WorkFirst policy advisor, 360-902-0580
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that Washington is among 25 states and the District of Columbia that will share $200 million in bonus payments.
“We have reduced the number of Washington families on welfare by 44 percent in the last five years,” Locke said. “This significant award reflects our success in getting people back to work. It also provides more money to maintain support services for struggling families and create opportunities for parents to find jobs that can lift their families out of poverty.”
Washington’s award is $13.7 million, the fourth highest in the nation. The state ranked sixth in the country for improvement in wage earnings and job retention for welfare recipients from 1999 to 2000, according to federal statistics. More welfare recipients maintained jobs or landed higher-paying ones.
John Atherton, assistant secretary for economic services at the state Department of Social and Health Services, said the federal bonus will be invested in current WorkFirst programs such as those that provide child care and pre-employment training, the Community Jobs program, and other incentives designed to help people obtain work and increase their incomes.
Since WorkFirst started, more than 138,000 parents have left welfare and stayed off – a total that exceeds the combined populations of Everett and Olympia.
“Collaboration is the key to WorkFirst’s success,” Locke said. Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services, Employment Security Department, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development have effectively worked together to reduce welfare caseloads and improve the lives of thousands of Washington families, he said.
Local employers, tribal governments, Workforce Development Councils and community organizations are key partners in planning and providing services for WorkFirst participants, Locke added.
The federal bonus comes at an important time. Earlier this year, the WorkFirst budget faced a potential $40 million to $60 million shortfall caused by climbing welfare caseloads due to the national economic recession and more low-income working parents receiving subsidies to help with child care costs.
Funds were shifted to protect the safety net for the poor, ensure a balanced budget and maintain access to child care for struggling working families.
Related Links:
- WorkFirst
- Employment Security Department
- Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
- Department of Social and Health Services
- Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 9, 2002
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Alt Contact: Ken Miller, Gov. Locke’s WorkFirst policy advisor, 360-902-0580
Washington wins nearly $14 million in federal funds for WorkFirst successes
OLYMPIA – A nearly $14 million federal bonus Washington received for its top performance in helping welfare recipients obtain jobs will be reinvested in programs designed to help people work, Gov. Gary Locke announced today.The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that Washington is among 25 states and the District of Columbia that will share $200 million in bonus payments.
“We have reduced the number of Washington families on welfare by 44 percent in the last five years,” Locke said. “This significant award reflects our success in getting people back to work. It also provides more money to maintain support services for struggling families and create opportunities for parents to find jobs that can lift their families out of poverty.”
Washington’s award is $13.7 million, the fourth highest in the nation. The state ranked sixth in the country for improvement in wage earnings and job retention for welfare recipients from 1999 to 2000, according to federal statistics. More welfare recipients maintained jobs or landed higher-paying ones.
John Atherton, assistant secretary for economic services at the state Department of Social and Health Services, said the federal bonus will be invested in current WorkFirst programs such as those that provide child care and pre-employment training, the Community Jobs program, and other incentives designed to help people obtain work and increase their incomes.
Since WorkFirst started, more than 138,000 parents have left welfare and stayed off – a total that exceeds the combined populations of Everett and Olympia.
“Collaboration is the key to WorkFirst’s success,” Locke said. Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services, Employment Security Department, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development have effectively worked together to reduce welfare caseloads and improve the lives of thousands of Washington families, he said.
Local employers, tribal governments, Workforce Development Councils and community organizations are key partners in planning and providing services for WorkFirst participants, Locke added.
The federal bonus comes at an important time. Earlier this year, the WorkFirst budget faced a potential $40 million to $60 million shortfall caused by climbing welfare caseloads due to the national economic recession and more low-income working parents receiving subsidies to help with child care costs.
Funds were shifted to protect the safety net for the poor, ensure a balanced budget and maintain access to child care for struggling working families.
Related Links:
- WorkFirst
- Employment Security Department
- Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development
- Department of Social and Health Services
- Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
| » Return to this month's News Releases |
| » View News Release Archive |
Home
Governor Locke
- About the Governor
- Cabinet
- Senior Staff
- Executive Orders
- Proclamations
- Boards and Commissions
- Contact the Governor
The First Lady
News Room
About Washington
- Washington State Facts
- Photo Gallery
- The 50 State QuartersTM Program
- State Legislature
- Washington Courts
- US Census 2000
- Register to Vote
Contact Us
Search
