[Issue Discussion Group] - Welfare
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Obviously, the system is not working the way we'd all like for it to.
I have some personal experience in the system. After my divorce, I wanted to go back and finish my incomplete university degree. I had two small children, no child support, and a low income. To my thinking, someone in that position should have been the welfare system's Golden Child. Working, with 3 years of university already passed, just needing 3 more semesters to complete a degree.... obviously not a habitual welfare recipient.
But what I found was that I had to fight, argue, appeal, struggle, beg and humiliate myself in order to get the assistance that was absolutely necessary if I was going to improve things for myself and my kids. Anyone with less then EXTREME determination would have been deterred by the red tape and the discouraging amount of time that has to be spent literally begging and justifying yourself. It would have been much more simple to give up hope and accept a life of low income unskilled labor and live in low income housing and raise kids with no aspirations.
But that's just one example. The system is broken.
What do we do?
I have some personal experience in the system. After my divorce, I wanted to go back and finish my incomplete university degree. I had two small children, no child support, and a low income. To my thinking, someone in that position should have been the welfare system's Golden Child. Working, with 3 years of university already passed, just needing 3 more semesters to complete a degree.... obviously not a habitual welfare recipient.
But what I found was that I had to fight, argue, appeal, struggle, beg and humiliate myself in order to get the assistance that was absolutely necessary if I was going to improve things for myself and my kids. Anyone with less then EXTREME determination would have been deterred by the red tape and the discouraging amount of time that has to be spent literally begging and justifying yourself. It would have been much more simple to give up hope and accept a life of low income unskilled labor and live in low income housing and raise kids with no aspirations.
But that's just one example. The system is broken.
What do we do?
Employers are VERY discriminating against single mothers.
I was actually denied a promotion once and the reason given to me was "because you are a single mom."
you were the inspiration Annek Maam, can you help make it come to pass. Peace Little Dine'
I have the same invitation for grandma Spirited Dona.
No, I have never heard of WIA. What is it? How does it work? And how do we get people to know more about it so that it might help others who need it?
Clinton during the welfare reform set this program up. There are a lot of funding grants that can help citizens get an education. Now, since Bush has been in, they have not been funded well. As of July 1, 2008, a small bit of funds have came in. Since my job is HR, I want to be responsible and help my employees if they have to be laid off. I do not just dump them as most employers do. As of July 1, 2008, funding has came available again. I am not sure Congress just did this State by State, but you can call the One Stop for information.
The intake process is: A meeting of layed off workers, and then they give what programs that are funded and where you can fit. The Veterans have funding, layed off workers, populated areas, and unpolulated areas, those that have just got out of prison. Then they put the participants through a 2 1/2 week training period. It is very good, the first four days is training for how to present yourself, resume building, interviewing, a test to see what job suites you best. Then, they have you research what job the person wants and what it takes to get there. How much money is needed, can they find a grant for the individual to meet the individuals goal. They start with a 2 degree goal, or will help finish a bachelors like in your situation. They used to, not anymore, help women open their own businesses and give them a grant to do this. Not anymore, all funds that Bush releases go to other countries to open small businesses in those other countries.
Well, then you after doing the research of what the person wants to do, gets funding by semester, and all books and supplies are included.
My employees, may want just a certification in something, and this is all funded too.
I worked for a woman some years ago, that started a program for women to get back in the workforce, Universities around the country have adopted her program. Check to see if your University has any program as such.
I know because in the last two weeks, I have researched to help layed off workers. I also posted a note telling about the funding on this site.
Anne, I remember a program introduced by the Clinton administration, designed to help single moms on welfare, but it nothing to do with reducing the red tape required in order to receive it. Am sorry you went through such hell.
I wish you had omitted the word 'just" from that statement, hopefully the reason is self-explanatory.
Good parenting is engaging the imagination of children, taking part in verbal interaction, and constant caregiving and teaching.
There is no such thing as "just" staying home with kids.
In countries more socially evolved than the U.S., parents are encouraged to stay at home with their kids, moms for 2 years, and dads the first 6 months. Yes, that's right, the baby gets both parents full time for the first 6 months and moms full time for the first 2 years.
It is a catch 22 situation in the U.S., however, because in countries like Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Holland, Finland, Iceland etc, it is the companies the parents the work for that provide the paid leave. For example, since education is free in Norway, over 90% of all parents are college educated. To say the comparative statistics in the U.S. are disappointing would be a gross understatement.
Statistically parents without college education have a 200% increase in the the risk factors of having children with learning/behavior disorders, thus making the system of welfare, child care for single mothers without an education even more dysfunctional.
Worse still the likelihood of dropping out of school and or teen pregnancy for kids with EBD and LD is quadruple the rate for Gen. ed. kids. Clearly, education needs to be more accessible to all kids, and young adults, pregnant, single mothers included. I know I harp on education a lot, but if I didn't believe in it with my heart and soul, I would not be in the field I am in.
My opinion is that the way the system is currently set up, it encourages single mothers to believe that staying home with their kids is the only option available to them because all other options are simply not achievable. Childcare is not provided for women who seek higher education, only for those who go to work at some low income job. - And working at a low income job costs benefits such as food stamps and medicaid coverage. So there's no incentive to work for a low income and loss of benefits, and no childcare provision for higher learning. - So with those options effectively removed, stay with the kids is all that's encouraged. There's no option for improving the quality of life that is really supported currently. That's why I included the word "just"
Education has a way of preparing for stable independent parenting and co-parenting. Planning for education and parenthood is key. A secure stable life for parents means a secure, stable life for their children. Our country seems to have missed that.
Otherwise the rut you describe is very hard to avoid. Getting education accomplished before parenthood is the best way to help the culture, and the system needs to do a better job of instilling that. Of course making education a viable option for parents who need it, single or otherwise needs to be a top priority as well.
Many case workers in the system have become more or less trained to think of all people as cheaters and liars. Having to spend a lot of time PROVING that you are not cheating or lying about how insufficient your means to provide for your children is leaves you with very little self worth. And you wonder why people have a hard time getting themselves out of that?
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Those case workers have come to think of people as cheaters and liars through EXPERIENCE. They have seen people who they KNOW are cheats and liars get benefits because the law says they have to be provided for. No one likes to be cheated, and it happens every day in the welfare system and is only going to get worse.
Perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing to encourage stronger families and family values and communities with faith-based answers. I know those things may fly in the face of lefties because there is some morality involved, but it would go a long way toward easing the welfare problem.
While I don't doubt your sincerity to want to help people, I seriously suspect party leadership of relishing poverty as a way to increase power. After all, if you're fighting to survive, it sure is easier to throw a vote to the guy who gave you a fish instead of the guy offering to teach you to fish. And so, the cycle continues....
-snakelips
It's damn amazing that our ship of state is even still afloat.
As for welfare, the reason we don't have any left over for the people who really do need a hand up is because the jackass in the white house has been giving all the welfare to his buddies--the ones who own corporations like Halliburton and Bechtel and Bear Stearns.
And Welfare to work DIDN'T include people who were in universities finishing bachelor's degrees.
-snakelips
Some people work 3 jobs and will do anything not to get onto welfare and others will do anything possible to stay on welfare-- They feel like the state owes them...
I am so proud of everyone who responded here. THIS is what PB is supposed to be, people!!
My son got his graduate degree in Holland and is now working for a Dutch company, so he's basically been in Holland for 4 years (with one year out living and working in Kathmandu, Nepal). The way the Dutch handle "welfare" is amazing. First, all of their education system is free (preschool through university). They will totally fund 2 years for a family (and that is anyone with children, married or single). They provide them with housing, pay their utilities, provide them with their equivalent of food stamps. In return, the recipient attends school or trade training. At the end of the training, they are guaranteed a job (government help in finding one). After two years, ALL support is cut off except for the normal government-sponsored support (child care, etc.).
Additionally, the government will support up to two children for a single mom. If she has more than two, she gets no more money for any additional. (Compare with our system which will add on money for each out-of-wedlock child. Wanna get a raise? Have more kids!)
Okay. Enough here, since this is an old blog and nobody is still reading it (except me)! LOL
I have had my own dealings with Medi-cal, Dept. of Rehab. and some private charities. I was homeless for a short time in L.A in 1999. I received great support from a private charity who made referrals to social service agencies for me, so I was extremely lucky in that respect. Thank god I was only homeless for 8 days, it was a total nightmare being on the street.
Anyway, I had great social workers, particularly those in the Dept. of Rehabilitation. But that all occurred in California which is very much more progressive than most states. I don't think I would want to be homeless in the Seattle area, where I now live, as I have heard horror stories from friends about rudeness etc.