IMPACT OF WELFARE REFORM ON MINISTRIES
Two thirds of Lutheran social ministry agencies nationwide report increased requests for services in the wake of government welfare reform. And nearly half of the agencies are offering new services such as employment training, job placement, educational assistance, food, and help for the homeless.
Those are among the conclusions of a report, "The Impact of Welfare Reform on Lutheran Social Ministry Organizations," by Susan Kosche Vallem, chair of the Social Work Department at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.
"The Lutheran social ministry agencies indicate that they have consistently dealt with an increasing number or requests for emergency services in 1997 compared to 1996," says Vallem.
Vallem surveyed Lutheran social ministry organizations in 59 cities around the United States which served more than 41,000 people in 1997. A total of 29 of 60 agencies surveyed predicted future problems because of the welfare reform law. Ten agencies did not anticipate any future problems because of the law and 21 indicated they were unsure.
"The majority indicated the greatest emergency need will continue to be food with a general increase in demand for additional services," says Vallem. "Others are concerned about the possible increase in homelessness, fewer resources and the need for many services for children."
The welfare reform law, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), has given states the flexibility to create and operate their own programs while placing a five-year lifetime cap on the benefits.
Fifteen agencies said they expected future benefits because of the welfare reform law. Seventeen said they did not expect benefits and 25 answered that they didn't know. Those anticipating benefits cited more clients seeking work and working toward self sufficiency.
More than two-thirds of the agencies said the welfare reform law would prompt them to increase their current level of funding from the private sector. One third said they would try to increase funding from government sources.
"In the midst of an economic boom and with declining welfare caseloads, requests to agencies in the voluntary sector for basic human needs are increasing," concludes Vallem in the report which was done for the Division of Church in Society of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in coordination with Lutheran Services in America and the Lutheran Office for Government Affairs.
"The report confirms other research studies which indicate that the nation is moving in a direction of making it harder, not easier, for the poorest of Americans to move to economic self- sufficiency."
###
Editors: Contact Susan Kosche Vallem at 319-352-8250 with questions about this report. If you would like a copy, please call Steve Infanti of Dick Jones Communications at 814-867-1963 or [email protected].
RSS