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1992.09.08 :  Virginia Welfare Reform Waiver

Larry Dye (202) 401-9215
September 8, 1992

     HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., today announced
approval of Virginia's welfare waiver request for a demonstration
project called Virginia Incentives to Advance Learning (VITAL).
     "The Virginia welfare reform effort is aimed at
strengthening families and promoting self-sufficiency by
requiring school attendance for AFDC children," Sullivan said. 
"The Bush administration continues to encourage states like
Virginia to take innovative actions to improve the effectiveness
of current welfare practices."
     The HHS waivers will permit Virginia to begin the VITAL
demonstration in three middle schools.  Under the demonstration,
the state will: 
     o    Require school attendance and achievement of all Aid
          for Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) recipients
          who are middle school students (grades 6-8).

     o    Families of students who maintain satisfactory
          attendance will have their monthly AFDC payments
          increased from 90 to 100 percent of the state's need
          standard and students will receive other rewards such
          as movie tickets and fast food coupons.  Failure of a
          child to attend school regularly could result in a
          reduced AFDC benefit to the family.

     o    Drop-out prevention counseling services will be
          provided through a $100,000 per year appropriation by
          the Virginia General Assembly for the 1992-1994
          biennium.

       "We will continue to expedite review of welfare reform
proposals from states so that innovative approaches can be
developed and tried," said Jo Anne B. Barnhart, assistant
secretary for children and families.  "We are here to make a
long-term positive difference in the lives of children and
families."

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