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1992.08.06 :  California Public Housing Employment Project

Contact:  Larry Dye (202) 401-9215
August 6, 1992

       LOS ANGELES--HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., and HUD
Secretary Jack Kemp today announced support for a unique,
coordinated approach by California to provide employment and
training services to residents of Nickerson Gardens in Los Angeles,
the largest public housing development in California.  Most of
those who will participate in the program are currently receiving
welfare.
       HHS will contribute $1.3 million for the project this year.
       "State and local governments continue to respond to the
President's call to reform their welfare programs with a variety of
new approaches," Sullivan said.  "Our department remains committed
to encouraging new ideas at all levels of government and in our
communities."  
       "We join with President Bush in applauding this joint agency
effort to empower inner-city residents through education and job
training, and move them from welfare to economic independence,"
Kemp said.
       Under the program, the Nickerson Gardens Resident Management
Corporation and The Training Institute, Inc., a proprietary post-
secondary school, will operate a pilot employment and training
program.  The program will offer testing, assessment and other
services to 500 Nickerson Gardens and other public housing
residents in Los Angeles.  In a distinctive feature, initial
screening and intake of individuals will take place at the public
housing development itself rather than at the local welfare
department.
       "With this program, California extends its efforts to change
the welfare system," said Jo Anne Barnhart, assistant secretary for

children and families. "The program also supports the Rebuild Los
Angeles effort.  I look forward to the results of this effort."  
       Residents of Nickerson Gardens and other public housing
developments will be hired and trained to do the initial intake
activities for the program.  Funding for the program is more than
$3.4 million.  Funding is a combination of the federal Job
Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) program and the Aid
to Families with Dependent Children child care ($1.3M), State of
California Employment, Training Panel ($1.3M) and Los Angeles
County GAIN ($800,000) resources. 


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