In Attendance

Helen Thatcher, Department of Workforce Services (DWS)
Sheila Walsh-McDonald, Salt Lake Community Action Program (SL CAP)
Garth Mangum, Utah Issues, L.D.S. Inner City Project
Laura Keller, S.L. County Housing Authority
Mary Beth Vogel, U of U Social Research Institute
Bonnie Macri, JEDI for Women
Robin Arnold-Williams, Department of Human Services
Lois Kelson, Community Action Services, Provo
Pat Nielson, League of Women Voters
Karen Silver, SL CAP
Tim Schultz, Utah Issues
Dee Rowland, Catholic Diocese
Tim Dahlin, Christian Center of Park City
Curt Stewart, DWS
Shirley Weathers, Walsh and Weathers Research and Policy Studies (WWRPS)
Bill Walsh (WWRPS)

Welcome and introductions
    All introduced themselves.

UREAP Activities
    Bill Walsh noted a delay in finalizing comments on UREAP Position Papers on Child Support, Child Welfare, and Families With Disabilities, but said they would be finished very soon.
    UREAP has a new section on its web page, Information on Emerging Congressional/Legislative Activities. The Senate Tripartisan Consensus Provisions is in this section.
    Bill and Shirley Weathers reported on their visits with staff in the D.C. offices of Senators Hatch and Bennett and Representative Matheson. Staff for Congressmen Hansen and Cannon were unavailable, but copies of the April 29 letter to Senator Hatch were left for them.

Latest Developments
    UREAP staff has drafted a letter to Senator Hatch with UREAP's responses to the Tripartisan Consensus Provisions. They requested input to finalize the letter soon. He is to receive an award from Utah Children at their Awards luncheon and will talk about the Tripartisan group's efforts. It would be good to get the letter in his hands in advance, if possible. (A discussion as follows resulted in positive changes to the letter.)
    The Superwaiver proposal that passed the House was discussed, noting the worst- and best-case scenarios. The draft letter will state UREAP's opposition to the Superwaiver, reasoning that it subverts the legislative process. The letter uses the example of the Farm Bill, which has good provisions, could be overridden by a state with a Superwaiver.
    The group decided to restructure the letter, focusing on UREAP responses to each Provision, addressing as priorities of participation rates, hours of work, and definitions; and ending on comment in opposition to the Superwaiver and Block Granting Food Stamps. The group wanted to stress that Food Stamps should remain an entitlement.
    Native American and welfare reform issues were discussed. The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is supporting S. 2484, the American Indian Welfare Reform Act. The UREAP letter will ask Senator Hatch to support provisions in S. 2484.
    UREAP will support the proposal of "universal engagement" contained in the Senate Tripartisan Consensus Provisions. The emphasis on child welfare is appreciated.
    The "participation rate" from 50 to 70% is cause for concern. The Tri-partisan approach is preferable to that in the House Bill because more state flexibility is offered. However, meeting 70% participation rates by 2007 is still likely to be unrealistic for many states and areas. Harm could result to families. A great deal  depends on how states have reported their numbers. The states have very different programs and policies that will not fit into a national "numbers game." It was noted, though, that with this provision in the House Bill and likely to appear in the Senate Finance bill, it will be politically very difficult to mitigate.
    "Hours of work" in the House Bill mean 24 hours on the job and 16 related to work, for a total of 40 hours per week. The Senate Tripartisan Provisions retain the 30 hour per week requirement in the current law and continues the present policy of exempting parents with children under six. UREAP supports these Senate provisions.
    The Tri-partisan group has taken a positive step in increasing countable Education and training and substance abuse. Mental health provisions are weak in all proposals. On balance, in terms of allowable activities, the Tripartisan group is offering the best deal for families. UREAP will ask for enhancements in these areas while supporting the Senate positions. It is important to have a bill with the majority of the improvements over the House bill pass the Senate. Statements will be added supporting public work when necessary and adequate funds for education and training, including other sources beyond TANF.
    UREAP will support the Senate's provisions on Maintenance of Effort, Child Care, Contingency Fund, Social Services Block Grant, Marriage, Two-Parent Requirements, Health Care, Legal Immigrants state option, Abstinence Education with rigorous evaluation, Spending Flexibility, Accountability, Anti-Discrimination, Foster Care Rules, Child Support, and Research of "what works." UREAP will restate its position in opposition to time limits while acknowledging our recognition that making changes in this area is not under discussion at this time.
    The UREAP letter will include a child welfare and well being supportive statement.
    The UREAP letter will be revised and sent to Senator Hatch before his speech at the Utah Children Awards Lunch on May 30. Copies will be sent to all members of the Senate Finance Committee, Utah's Congressional Delegation and Governor Leavitt.

Announcements
    Information on fee waivers for the Governor's Conference On Marriage was distributed.
    The next meeting will be June 25, same time and place.