In Attendance

Helen Thatcher, Department of Workforce Services (DWS)
Sheila Walsh-McDonald, Salt Lake Community Action Program (SL CAP)
Pat Neilson, Salt Lake League of Women Voters
Tim Schultz, Utah Issues
Shirley Weathers, Walsh & Weathers Research and Policy Studies (WWRPS)
Bill Walsh, WWRPS

Welfare Reform Reauthorization/Continuing Resolution Situation at Present - Unsettled Politics

    Shirley Weathers reported on the latest information since Congress recessed for the elections. They passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) on budgets until November 22, 2002, and will return for a "lame duck" session in November. The earliest date the session will begin is said to be November 12; it must begin at least by November 22 if they are to have time to deal with the budgets, if only to extend them again by CR. The APHSA/NCSL letter advocating a three year CR and 30+ additional points was referenced. (This is posted at the UREAP website.) Shirley reported that  Mark Greenberg at CLASP says that an additional document is being circulated by the staffs of ranking Finance Committee members, Senators Baucus and Grassley. This document has a little more money in child care, includes $100 million for healthy marriages, includes $80 million for the Business Link portion of the WORK Act, and pays for these increases by putting less into the Social Services Block Grant than NCSL/APHSA are proposing. The situation is still very fluid. Mark suggested that UREAP stay in contact with Senators, noting our preferences for items to be dealt with in whatever is done on welfare reform. He indicated that CLASP sees wisdom in a three-year extension. Helen Thatcher said that three years gives states adequate time to plan and funding stability.

    UREAP staff recommended that we send an e-mail of UREAP preferences after the elections. There are so many possibilities based on election outcomes. Numerous possible situations were discussed. There is interest in UREAP to meet with Senator Hatch after the elections to discuss possible scenarios for welfare reform. There is also interest in keeping in close contact with Robin Arnold-Williams who is presently on vacation in Alaska.

Salt Lake League of Women Voters Joins UREAP

    Pat Nielson announced that the outcome of the September League discussion on Welfare Reform was support for UREAP Principles and membership. Pat also distributed election information pamphlets produced by the League.

UREAP II, or, the New Phase of Utah Reauthorization Project

    Bill Walsh distributed a staff-written concept paper on an additional year of UREAP activity. The next year would focus on three areas: 1) Reauthorization of WIA (Workforce Investment Act)--coming up in July 2003, 2) analysis of whatever Congress passes on welfare reform as it relates to Utah operations, and 3) articulation of the critical interplay between WIA and TANF in increasing family income and the appropriateness of broader community linkages to that end. He said that Salt Lake Community Action Program is willing to provide partial support for another year and other funding sources will be sought.

    Bill reported that once again Utah is positioned to play a significant role in WIA Reauthorization. Robin Arnold-Williams will continue to chair the APHSA Committee dealing with WIA Reauthorization. Raylene Ireland is a member of a national group working on WIA Reauthorization legislation. David Bradley, the national staff for Community Action Programs, will be working on WIA. Among other national groups, CLASP will be very involved in WIA and will soon release a study that included Utah. Utah is one of only a few states with the one-stop centers operative under the DWS structure, so we will be listened to.

    Shirley spoke about Utah's history in training programs. Helen said that dollars for training are being spent, including TANF, and that Rehab and Adult Education were major WIA partners. Tim Schultz reported that Heather Trenton at Utah Issues will also be working on employment and training issues. Sheila Walsh-McDonald indicated that UREAP could do important work in this area.

Next Meeting

    The next UREAP meeting is scheduled for November 19, same time and place.