UREAP PRINCIPLES OF WELFARE REFORM
Final Version
(Adopted July 31, 2001)

The Utah Reauthorization Project (UREAP) has as its vision of the next phase of welfare reform strengthening our nation by building families' and individuals' economic and social well-being. We seek to be involved in realizing this vision as Congress considers the 2002 Reauthorization of major pieces of the 1996 welfare law, as well as related measures in the intervening months and beyond.  It is appropriate at this time to consider what has been learned since 1996 and look ahead to new, common ground public policy options that provide opportunities to go beyond reducing caseloads and promoting low-wage work. This will require refinements to the law so that welfare reform effectively provides eligible families and individuals with the services they need and assists all vulnerable people to become as self-reliant as possible.

UREAP therefore, will support and encourage provisions which:


  1. set a clear and consistent goal to reduce poverty.

    2.  
  2. meet temporary and emergency needs.

    3.  
  3. facilitate job advancement and increased earnings through training or skill-development for those who can move toward self-reliance.

    4.  
  4. sustain basic needs and dignity for those families and individuals who are not able to achieve self-reliance.

    5.  
  5. afford families and individuals with the opportunities and resources they need to address their barriers to achieving economic independence before they leave the welfare system.

    6.  
  6. support the efforts of families and individuals to move forward

    7.  
  7. make work pay.

    8.  
  8. provide necessary supports to families and individuals as they transition from welfare to work.

    9.  
  9. emphasize the care and well-being of children, as they are the majority of welfare recipients.

    10.  
  10. include appropriate flexibility and encouragement to allow states, localities, and Indian Tribes to run programs that are responsive to special populations and circumstances.

    11.  
  11. provide increased or at least present levels of funding to support necessary programs and services to effect positive outcomes for families and individuals.

    12.  
  12. finance welfare reform without resulting in harm to other vulnerable groups.

    13.