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Show Amendments Change Aid To Families New Public Welfare provisions of the recently enacted 1967 Social Security Act Amendments will cause a major overhaul of Utah's Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) welfare program. Mr. Crawford, Director of the Garfield-Piute County Division of Welfare Office reported that most AFDC recipient mothers in the state will be expected to take advantage of the special opportunities to enter new employment training and work experience programs In conjunction with receiving their welfare money grants. Regarded by Congress as s national committment to the concept that children are better off growing up In a home where work and wages are the principle source of the family's support, the new welfare provisions also provide a stepped -up welfare program of comprehensive social and rehabilitation services to AFDC families Costing in excess of 8800 million, both training and aer-vices programs are aimed at preserving, rehabilitating, reuniting and strengthening the family, end assisting family members to attain or .etaln capability for maximum self-support snd personal self-sufficiency. Mr Crswford stated that the actual implementation of the new provisions In the area probably will not take place until I960 "We are just now begin ning to study the new law, and determine how the present AFDC progrsm will have to be changed", said Mr. Crawford State administrative expenditures for conducting the AFDC progrsm in Utah, invol vlng over 5.000 families, are matched at the rate of 25 per cent state, and 75 per cent Fed ral contributions. Ai-iordlng to Mr Crswford the work and training pro grams will he administered by the Utah State of Employment Security They will be set up under three broad "priorities" designed to meet individual needs snd capabilities of par ttcipants They are Regular Employment On The Job -- In-( continued Inside ) Amendments Change Aid To Families ( continued from front page dividuals qualified for available Jobs will be referred by the county Division of Welfare Office to the State Employment Service for placement in regular employment U nder the present AFDC program, mothers of small children are not expected to seek employment in the labor market.). Employment Training Persons who require training before becoming employable, such as basic education, classroom training in job skills, etc., will be assigned to courses to qualify them for Jobs that are available. During the training period the family will receive an incentive payment in addition to Its regular welfare mo ney grant. Special Work Experience Projects - Persons who are found to be unsuitable for training or for whom employment cannot be found will be assigned to special work experience projects provided by local public and non-profit agencies which contract for this purpose with the state employment service. The monthly welfare grant plus an added cash incentive will be paid as wages. Each person's work record will be regularly reviewed to determine feasibility of placement in regular employment, or assignment to an employment training program. Implementation of these programs will present a greater problem In the rural counties due to the scarcity of facilities for training and cooperating agencies which might establish work projects. Mr. Crawford noted that day care services will be provided for children of parents referred to the work and training programs. |