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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-6871
Vice President Al Gore and Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman
today announced that the states of Hawaii, Kansas and Minnesota were approved
for Welfare-to-Work grants totaling over $26 million for Fiscal Year 1998. This
money is part of the $2.2 billion available nationwide in state grants to help
local communities transform the lives of long-term welfare recipients.
"Since this Administration took office, welfare caseloads
have fallen dramatically by 2.4 million people," said Gore. "But, we continue
to face a major challenge in breaking the cycle of dependency for people still
on welfare rolls with poor education, low skills and little work experience.
These welfare-to-work grants, specifically focused on helping more long-term
welfare recipients, will help conquer barriers to employment and open the door
to the American dream."
"People want to work . . . they want the dignity and
respect work brings," said Herman. "This funding will help new workers find
jobs, keep jobs and gain a lasting attachment to the world of work."
Hawaii, Kansas and Minnesota join Illinois, Louisiana,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada and South Carolina in putting
President Clinton's Welfare-to-Work initiative into action. Additional state
grants will be announced as they are approved.
Under the Budget Reconciliation Act of 1997, $2.2 billion
will be allocated by formula over two years to states based on their population
of poor people and adult recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.
Another $711.5 million will be awarded on a competitive basis directly by the
Secretary of Labor to local communities for projects that emphasize innovation,
collaboration and sustainable strategies to attain quality employment, earnings
and other successful outcomes for welfare recipients.
The three states announced today are receiving grants
because their plans have been approved by the department, enabling the
Secretary to disburse the welfare-to-work state formula funds to them.
Eighty-five percent of those funds will be sent to Private Industry Councils
that will design and operate collaborative, integrated programs tailored to
meet local labor market needs.
The grants may be used to fund unsubsidized and subsidized
employment; work experience; on-the-job training; and post employment retention
services, such as child care and transportation assistance.
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Editor's Note: Grant amounts to be allocated to
Hawaii, Kansas, and Minnesota follow, with state contacts listed for further
information.
HAWAII
| Federal Funds to be Provided to State: |
$5,085,523 |
|
| State Match: |
$2,542,762 |
|
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State Agency to Administer the Program:
State of Hawaii
Department of Labor
and Industrial Relations Workforce
Development Division
830 Punchbowl
Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 98813
Contact Person:
Elaine Young, Administrator,
808-586-8812
KANSAS
| Federal Funds to be Provided to State: |
$6,668,399 |
| State Match: |
Approximately $3.3 Million |
|
State Agency to Administer the Program:
Kansas Department of Human Resources
Division of Employment and Training
401 S.W. Topeka Boulevard
Topeka,
Kansas 66603
Contact Person:
Jill M. Crumpacker, Director
785-296-0607
MINNESOTA
| Federal Funds to be Provided To State: |
$14,503,409 |
|
| State Match: |
$ 7,251,705 |
|
|
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State Agency to Administer the Program:
Minnesota Department of Economic
Security
390 North Robert Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
Contact Person:
Kathy Sweeny, Assistant
Commissioner
612-296-3700
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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