NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES SUPPORTING WORKING FAMILIES IN TIGHT BUDGET TIMES JUNE 6, 2003

Transcription

1 NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES SUPPORTING WORKING FAMILIES IN TIGHT BUDGET TIMES JUNE 6, 2003 Re-Alignment and Re-Weaving to Improve Employment Outcomes for TANF Families UTAH S APPROACH AND EXPERIENCE

2 First, a little bit about Utah-- One of those Big Square (well almost) Western States Youngest state - 1 out of 4 Utahns are school age 9th most urbanized - 80% of population lives in Wasatch Front UTAH Population: 2.34 million 4th fastest growth rate nd lowest child poverty rate - 13% Overall ranking of 3rd in 2002 Kids Count 2002 job growth rate was -1%, lowest in 48 years April 2003 TANF Caseload: 9,131 Cases April 2003 Unemployment Rate: 5.3%

3 Pioneer Spirit Utah has a history of innovation in many arenas including human services True of both legislative and executive branches and especially true when we work together as we did on welfare reform

4 Utah s Welfare Reform Journey: The First Phases 1982: Self-Sufficiency Pilot Project 1986: Department of Human Services Welfare Reform Task Force 1992: Legislative Audit of employment and training programs 1993: Waiver Package approved, Single Parent Employment Demonstration Project based on universal participation and increasing family income through employment and child support begun 1994: Governor convenes Workforce Development Task Force 1995: Governor recommends consolidation of 30+ programs from 5 agencies into new Department of Workforce Services

5 Utah s Welfare Reform Journey: Consistency of Philosophy Throughout our journey we have had a consistent philosophy and approach to welfare reform based on four main principles: 1. Self-sufficiency planning occurs before eligibility determination with diversion from ongoing case assistance as an option 2. Universal participation in employment related activities is mandatory based on individualized self-sufficiency plans 3. Employment is encouraged and supported rather than penalized 4. Cash assistance, Food Stamps, Medicaid and child care rules are simplified so that staff and participants can focus on self-suffiency rather than eligibility requirements PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AGENCY WAS BECOMING AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

6 Utah s Welfare Reform Journey: Time for Re-Alignment This Commission believes that the inclusion of employment security functions under the health and welfare umbrella makes good sense. Employment of the lack of it is one of the important factors contributing to the general welfare of the people. Thus, the employment function belongs with those other functions which are concerned with people and their welfare. Source: Report on the Commission on the Organization of the Executive Branch of Government, Report to the 36th Legislature, January : Legislation to authorize the new Department of Workforce Services enacted 1996: Utah implements TANF on October 1st 1997: Legislature enacts Family Employment Program Act and Workforce Services Implementation and Amendments making the new department effective on July 1, 1997

7 Utah s Welfare Reform Journey: The Re-alignment Phase July 1, 1997: New Department of Workforce Services begins operation based on the following guiding principles: System must be customer driven System must measure results and be accountable throughout New department should simplify governance and operation of programs System will be state-based with local input on design and delivery Promotion of private sector leadership and direct involvement at all levels Training and education will be market driven Funding levels will be commensurate with need

8 Who Came Together in Workforce Services? Department of Employment Security: unemployment insurance, employment services, labor market information Office of Family Support (within DHS): cash assistance (TANF), self-sufficiency services (Family Employment Program) Food Stamps, child care subsidies, general assistance, refugee assistance, medical assistance eligibility Office of Job Training (within DCED): job training programs such as JTPA Office of Child Care (within DCED): coordination with employers on child care, resource and referral, quality child care Turning Point Program (within Education): educational and employment related services for displaced homemakers

9 KEY OVERALL CONCEPTS We were not merging agencies into any of the existing organizations -- we created a totally new organization Goal is to better meet Utah s workforce needs by connecting JOB SEEKERS and EMPLOYERS through information, training, supportive services, technology, and collaboration amongst allied agencies Primary method is use of ONE-STOP EMPLOYMENT CENTERS where it is clear the focus is employment from moment you step through the door

10 So, now who does what in Utah? HUMAN SERVICES Child Welfare Substance Abuse Mental Health Child Support Disabilities Aging & Adult Services Juvenile Justice WORKFORCE SERVICES TANF/Family Employment Program Food Stamps Child Care Subsidies and Quality General Assistance Unemployment Insurance Workforce Investment Act Labor Market Information HEALTH Medicaid SCHIP Primary Care Network (PCN) PCN Covered at Work Program Child Care Licensing

11 KEY CONCEPTS SPECIFIC TO TANF FAMILIES IN ALL 3 DEPARTMENTS There are no welfare people, just those who may need a variety of services to make permanent connections to employment Concept of universal engagement and personal responsibility Customized employment plans based on comprehensive assessments and wide variety of activities to meet identified needs all tied to goal of employment First Job -- Better Job -- Career philosophy

12 Re-Weaving the Support Service Network to Support Low-Income Working Families Requires partnerships among our agencies via contracts, co-location, cross training, joint financing of staff and programs, coordination of assessments and plan development, joint development of new eligibility system to serve all 3 departments, and anything else we can think of Must occur at all levels of organizations - line level through Cabinet - use of Human Services Sub-Cabinet Team and Families, Agencies, and Communities Together (FACT) Council

13 Has Utah s Approach Worked? Utah received TANF High Performance Bonuses last year for performance in Job Entry category; the year before for improvement in Success in Workforce category Satisfaction surveys of job seekers and employers show high satisfaction with quality of service Legislative Audit follow up in 2000: DWS has succeeded in creating a more consumer-oriented employment and job training system. Those needing help finding a job and other related services can now go to a single, one-stop center where a single employment counselor can address their needs. Those wishing to apply for special government assistance only need fill out a single set of applications forms. The department has also taken advantage of new technologies to improve client services. In comparison to the fragmented service delivery system we observed in 1992, clients have much easier access to the employment and job training services they need.

14 Continuing Challenges Budget and Economy Meeting the needs of multiple barrier families Demographic challenge of dramatic increase of both young and old in Utah Employment Services for Specialized Populations (e.g. Choose to Work Program) Silos that still remain at federal, state, and local levels