SUMMIT
REPORT
MPR Civic Journalism Initiative and the Institute
on Race and Poverty at the University of Minnesota Law School
October 2, 1998
INTRODUCTION
On October 2, 1998, Minnesota Public Radio's Civic Journalism Initiative
and the Institute on Race & Poverty at the University of Minnesota Law School
convened a summit of over 115 stakeholders from around the state of Minnesota
at Sabathani Community Center in Minneapolis to evaluate the state's welfare
to work efforts. The following is a report of the summit's findings.
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
The Welfare to Work Summit raised many questions about improving our current
system. Although the solutions to many of the questions are still out of reach,
the day-long Summit allowed knowledgeable participants the time to consider these
daunting issues. In this brief report, you'll find a summary of both issues raised:
"What's Working, What's Not and Why?" as well as a summary of recommendations:
"Where Do We Go From Here?"
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| Summit
speaker john powell and MPR's Leonard Witt. |
Conference attendees recommended developing an overarching framework for welfare
to work. In effect, we need a mission statement for the families affected, recognizing
that what is at stake is far more important than just getting more women into
the work force. It must embrace the goal of self-sufficiency, as well as the
mental and physical health and security of the families affected. In addition,
a strategy must be crafted to address the needs of the hard-to-employ: immigrants,
the chemically dependen t, the unmotivated and the mentally ill. More training
is required to meet the needs not only of participants but employers who desperately
need these new employees, but lack understanding of some of the issues involved
in employing adults with little wo rk experience and challenging home lives.
We cannot shy away from cultural diversity and systemic racism. Minorities
are having a harder time getting off welfare than whites. Special challenges
faced by minorities must be acknowledged and addressed if welfare to work is
going to be successful f or everyone. Lastly, we must continue to educate the
public about the issues participants face and work to change the vision from
merely "welfare to work" to a more encompassing vision of "economic growth and
community stability," which offers a win/win opportunity for everyone.
At our summit there were several women who were on or had recently gotten
off welfare and who had important things to say as well as important questions
to be addressed. They generously contributed their energy, ideas and experiences,
but were frustrated that welfare to work has not changed much as a result of
their participation in conferences and public dialogue.
Since the Summit, MPR ran a week-long series on welfare reform; excerpts from
the series can be found on the station's News Web site.
A panel of Summit participants also shared results with the National Association
of Counties at its annual mee ting in the Twin Cities.
Next: Statistical Snapshot of Welfare Reform in Minnesota
Top | Introduction
| Statistical Snapshot | What's
Working
Conclusions of Large Group | Where Do We Go From
Here?
Conclusion | Contact Information
|
