BY B.G. GREGG
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Hamilton County's welfare reform leaders presented state legislators with a wish list Friday, and state Rep. Joan Lawrence sounded like Santa Claus.
"I cannot imagine anyone struggling for money in this area," said Ms. Lawrence, a Republican from Galena. "There are hundreds of millions of dollars. Let's use them."
Mrs. Lawrence was referring to $500 million in federal welfare money the state has accumulated over the past few years because of dropping rolls, and she was suggesting that the money should be spent on support services that help the working poor.
The governor and other legislators would have to approve. Still, Hamilton County's welfare reform leaders were happy to hear what Ms. Lawrence had to say at Friday's gathering to discuss the county's successes and needs for welfare reform.
"We have saved hundreds of millions of dollars in the last four or five years . . . but we haven't reinvested that money in programs that help stabilize people," said Col Owens, an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Cincinnati who sits on the county's Human Services Planning Commission. The commission guides welfare reform efforts.
Seven other state legislators attended Friday's meeting, where they were presented with this wish list:
A privatized, state-of-the-art computer network to track welfare recipients through the system, and after they leave.
More flexibility with money that can be used to keep people off welfare, so the money can be used for transportation and other support services that help people work.
Expansion of the eligibility requirements for subsidized child care to 200 percent of the federally defined poverty level, so more people will have access to affordable, quality child care. Health care insurance for adults earning up to 150 percent of the poverty level.
Relaxation of time limits and other rules for the welfare recipients who are most difficult to place in work, most likely because of mental or physical disabilities.
Hamilton County Commissioner Tom Neyer Jr. said the county's track record as one of the best in the country at reforming welfare should carry weight when the legislators consider the recommendations.
