Culminating 10 years of orchestrating dramatic change in his state’s welfare system, Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson, on April 25, signed into law the Wisconsin Works Program (W-2), the state’s replacement for the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) Program.
With the stroke of his pen, Thompson, one of the nation’s foremost welfare reform mavericks, took the historic step of ending welfare in the state, a goal that was set in motion back in December 1993 when he approved legislation ending the authorization for AFDC starting Jan. 1, 1999, and calling for its replacement with a system based on work.
The current welfare system is apathetic, not compassionate, he told attendees at the bill-signing ceremony in Fond du Lac County. “We are caring enough about these children and families to help them become self-sufficient, instead of just handing them a check once a month then walking away,” he said. “The welfare check is history. From now on, the only check someone in Wisconsin is entitled to is the one they earn through hard work.”
Reaction from local officials ranged from excitement to anxiety.
Those in Racine County are “generally looking forward [to it] with a lot of hopes that it’s going to work,” according to Supervisor William Sklba, who is being considered for a committee that will write the administrative rules for the program.
Sklba likes some things in the program, like the child care component, but admits he’s been somewhat critical of the way W-2 proponents claimed that AFDC didn’t work. “It did work,” he said.
The fate of those welfare recipients who can’t sustain themselves and their families after the five-year limit is the “prime question,” he commented. “They have to do something to survive or they’ll have to move.”
He freely admits some trepidation about his possible role on the rule-making committee. “I hope I can be quality-sensitive and productive and not be trapped by expediency.”
“It’s a bad thing for Milwaukee County,” said Milwaukee County Commissioner Elizabeth Coggs-Jones, “because it removes any safety net for children.” Over 75 percent of AFDC cases in the county are women and children, she explained. “I don’t think that’s what America is all about.”
Coggs-Jones predicts her county will witness an increase in abuse, neglect and crime in the aftermath of W-2. “They’ll be out in the streets.”
“It’s revolutionary,” commented Seymour J. Adler, Kenosha County director of human services. “I don’t know if it’ll be a good revolution or one that’ll be revolting.”
Adler worries about two things — will recipients be able to afford the copayments and will there be enough jobs when the next recession hits. “I’m an old-time social worker. I worry about the affects on kids and people,” he said, but added, “There’s a lot of promise in it.”
Michelle Gormican, spokesperson for the Wisconsin Counties Association, described the mood in the state as “one of excitement.” W-2 will “give the tools [welfare recipients] need to end their dependency,” she said. “Counties are looking forward to a partnership with the state.”
She added that counties will have the option of contracting with a private company to administer the W-2 program. “Obviously, we’re heading into unknown territory here,” she said.
W-2 will be phased in starting in September 1997, and will offer four work options:
• Unsubsidized employment — The W-2 participants who are job-ready will be matched up with the best available job.
• Subsidized employment, or “trial jobs” — Individuals without a work history, but who are willing to work will be placed in jobs where an employer is subsidized to offset costs. The wage subsidy will be limited from six to nine months.
• Community service jobs — These positions will be available for those who need to practice the work habits and skills necessary to be hired by a private business. Workers will be limited to six to nine months in these jobs.
• W-2 transitions — This will be reserved for those who legitimately are unable to perform self-sustaining work even in a community service job. Participants will work in activities consistent with their abilities.
W-2 will provide participants with support services, such as child care, health care, housing assistance, food stamps, transportation and training. A copayment requirement for child care and health care will be based on family earnings. A person can spend a maximum of five years on W-2 during a lifetime.
The program, however, won’t get the green light until Washington grants the numerous waivers the state has applied for.