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1993.07.08 :  Welfare Reform Working Group Briefing for Reporters

Contact:  HHS Press Office  (202) 690-6343
July 8, 1993

     At their first briefing for reporters, held today at the
Department of Health and Human Services, the co-chairs of the
administration's welfare reform working group promised an "open and
collaborative" process which will include a number of regional
visits to gather public comments.
     David Ellwood and Bruce Reed, co-chairs of the Working Group 
on Welfare Reform, Family Support and Independence, held the
briefing as the working group undertakes a public process of
developing ideas and policy options to fulfill President Clinton's
pledge to "end welfare as we know it."
     The process of developing reform recommendations for the
president will involve a series of regional visits; close
cooperation with members of Congress, governors, state legislators,
state welfare directors, mayors and other local government
officials; publication of a series of briefing papers; meetings with
numerous groups and organizations interested in welfare reform; and
establishment of an "intake center" to ensure that all proposals,
suggestions and ideas are considered.
     Regional visits are being scheduled for Chicago Aug. 11 and
Washington, D.C., Aug. 19, and in New Jersey, California and
Tennessee.
     Ellwood is HHS assistant secretary for planning and evaluation,
and Reed is deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy. 
A third co-chair will be the HHS assistant secretary for children
and families; Mary Jo Bane has been nominated for the position.