Welfare/Social Service Issues...

The first post is the most important.Time and again I have visited state welfare agencies in person or by phone asking many questions...One important question is, "Do you have an estimated number of families in need of child care for evening and weekend shifts? Such parents may be a nurse,CNA,work in the post office late (mail always' circulate), the list of jobs are extensive and I'm curious to know if day care needs are being met so these parents may maintain employment or secure employment?" The answer every time has shocked me! I am being told there is no need for it, no parent has asked for such services etc...One worker stated and I quote,"When a parent tell's me what they would like to do for work or skilled in (TANF recipient),I ask if they have the child care that will cover the shifts to work such a job? If they say, no, I'm a nurse and need evening child care, then I tell them to find a different type of career where they can secure child care and be able to work."This is a very big problem! Forcing a client off TANAF based on unavailable resources, "The rush and get them out there working at any cost method lacks a vital element(Not really hearing the client needs) and the purpose of the program has just failed that individual placing them at greater risk of re-entering the Welfare System!

The client's skills are not only being undermined, but now they are forced to take on a job they aren't skilled in based on restricted child care slots,more money is spent on additional training concerning an area of work they may not like to start with, they risk taking a huge cut in pay, in addition that individual is now more likely to re-enter the system.It is not enough to say to that parent who is a nurse, "Take an office job some where!" That is not the solution financially for that household, nor does it address the issue of limited child care. There are very few nine to five jobs these day's, job's do require some if not every weekend shifts, nights, some require travel. The truth of the matter is the need for such extended childcare service is great and that need is growing!

I was appalled to hear one worker clearly state, "In my thirty-year's" One person went for their nursing degree! I was outraged by the lack of compassion, it showed me by that comment a judgement was being made not giving another human being any credit or hope and I thought,"Why would this worker be so bold to lie about that estimation to start with? Perhaps, she was unaware(because I didn't inform her until after her remark...which she then exclaimed and I quote,"I'm speechless!"), that research has been done and survey's were collected on foot by those in the community and on the system all clearly voicing their need for extended child care, in addition to my finding more than five parents who obtained a degree in nursing were told by a worker to change careers based on lack of child care and other's in the process of securing such a degree practically having to fight for it because they are being told to do something else! Nursing is one example there are many other career's clients are being told they cannot do based on limited child care. And I will touch on other issues through out the months!

Extended childcare is a big need in our community! And for those who verbally suggest otherwise claiming they are the voice of the community, I have directly gone to those in the community,documented,they wrote testimonies and in those voices are making clear they have this need and it's going unmet. The additional money it takes to train someone for a different career based upon day care restrictions, would better serve as a source of funding toward day care's in the area already willing to step up to the plate and open their doors for extended childcare services. This creates more job opportunities for those willing to work in child care. And those on TANF can secure employment where they are not taking a cut in pay working in a profession they never wanted to start with cause they were told to settle.

To settle leaves that TANF door wide open again for that client. And while you have those who have misused the system or those who have lost hope and depend on it with no future goals...On the other end you have a large number of people who are growing very leery and angry of being grouped into the above mentioned categories who refuse to settle! And those voices are standing up in greater numbe.As proposed in the State Plan for (TANF) FFY 2009-FFY 2011 Under Program Goals # 2 End the dependence of needy parents on government by promoting job preparation...it goes on, but that is the important proposed goal.And #8 Provide a variety of post TANF supportive services to help them maintain their independence from welfare cash assistance program and improve their family circumstances.

Currently, what has been proposed is not being met and child care is one issue that needs to be addressed, forward the myth that it's not needed should be abolished! And for every worker that states this is not a need(Lord, only know's why they would want to conceal this need), will be met with one survey per opposing case worker from a client in the community who has a testimony stating otherwise! Feel free to share your testimony....
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