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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?"
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. Top | Introduction
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