WELFARE REFORMMedia Campaign

Introduction

Welfare has been a subject of high contention for many years. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 brought several much needed changes to the government assistance program. Among the changes was the requirement for all able-bodied recipients to be engaged in work activities. I believe that there are areas of the work requirement that need to be addressed (Office of Family Assistance, 2009).

Summary of Problem

Although the law requires work activities to be performed, many Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients do not possess the education or skills required to be a productive employee, therefore, finding employment is difficult (Mauldin, 2007). Employment that is found is frequently temporary, low-paying, and without benefits. This does not lead to self-sufficient individuals, but rather to long term dependency and poverty. Children raised in this environment are subjected to homes where parents are frequently absent in their attempts to meet the TANF work requirements (Gennetian, Lopoo, & London, 2006).

Key Actions

Letters to the Editor in local and major news papers – periodic letters explaining changes being proposed and informing the community about upcoming legislation and voting referendums Reaches a large audience Free service

Guest spot on local talk radio – This could be a panel discussion to inform listeners about the programs and referendums they will se on the upcoming ballots Large audience, discussion will carry on for days through

call-ins Free service

Advertisement spots on television and radio -- 30 second spots to raise voting issue awareness Diverse audience Expensive

Address the city commissioner's meetings/ mayor’s community meetings – bring in experts in job building skills and education to promote the benefits of work skills Small neighborhood groups Free or low cost if expert has to be paid

Solicit support from local church clergy and community service groups – address the benefits to the entire community through reduced crime, drugs, and unemployment Highly respected members with influence Free

Billboard ads in strategic locations –Advertise the benefits of education of the family, does not need to be specific TANF advertisement Wide dissemination, local and through traffic Reasonable cost

Personal contact through door-to-door solicitation – hand out fliers with community events and contact numbers Target high support areas to gather assistants

and low income areas to share information and support

Phone calls to follow-up with possible support contacts

Letters to government officials to solicit their votes on legislation

Personal contact through door-to-door solicitation - hand out fliers with community events and contact numbers (Leob, 2010) Target high support area to gather assistants and low

income areas to share information and support Phone calls to follow-up with possible support

contacts Internet awareness campaign through social

media, blogs, and webpages –constantly changing news bullets on pending changes. Solicitation for action

Easy to update Reaches millions (Community dialogue, 2011)

Objectives

FIVE YEAR TEN YEAR

Generate local assistance in promoting education for TANF recipients

On-the-job training programs in the local communities

GED training supported by local churches and organizations

Change the federal mandate for TANF work requirements to include mandatory GED or specific job related skills training

A minimum wage to support self-sufficiency

50% reduction in long-term dependency

Conclusion

Providing educational assistance will generate a better return on investment than pouring money into the pockets of the unskilled. A trained person will be a productive member of society, contributing to the economy and raising children in an environment that demonstrates a better work ethic.

Reference

(2011). Community dialogue. Gennetian, L. A., Lopoo, L. M., & London, A. S.

(2006). Maternal work hours and adolescents' school outcomes among low-income families in four urban counties.

Loeb, P. R. (2010). Soul of a Citizen: Living with conviction in challenging times. New Yory, N.Y.: St. Martin's Press.

Mauldin, B. (2007, May 23). TANF work requirements are bad for kids. Retrieved February 16, 2012, from Workforc Developments: http://workforcedev.typepad.com/workforcedev/2007/05/tanf_work_requi.html