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1992.00.00 :  Missouri Welfare Reform Waiver

Contact:  Larry Dye (202) 401-9215
1992 Press Release (No Date)

       HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D. today approved a
Missouri welfare waiver request to begin a demonstration called
People Attaining Self-Sufficiency (PASS). 
       As a result  of the approval of the waiver, the state will
expand the FUTURES program, Missouri's JOBS program, to target 
AFDC children and teen parents in the seventh grade through
completion of high school or an equivalent education.  The PASS
demonstration will require that such children or teen parents
attend school regularly or the family will be subject to a
reduced AFDC assistance amount.
       Missouri will implement the demonstration through
cooperative agreements with local school districts which will
provide case management and support services.  By establishing a
relationship of mutual concern between school districts and the
County Family Services Offices, at-risk students will gain
additional support toward adult self-sufficiency.
       "The Missouri welfare reform initiative is a worthy
attempt to strengthen AFDC families and promote family self-
sufficiency," Secretary Sullivan said.  "The Bush Administration
continues to encourage states to take innovative approaches to
reduce welfare dependency and improve the effectiveness of
current welfare practices."

       Missouri will implement the three-year demonstration which
begins in September 1992 in five to seven school districts.  The
demonstration will be evaluated using a control group.
       "We will continue to expedite review of welfare reform
proposals from states such as Missouri so that innovative
approaches in public assistance programs can be developed to make
a long-term, positive difference in the lives of those we serve,"
said Jo Anne B. Barnhart, HHS Assistant Secretary for Children
and Families.
       In 1991 Missouri spent over $241 million for an AFDC
population which averaged 74,479 families per month.  This year,
84,000 AFDC families per month receive welfare benefits which
will cost over $269 million.

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