Leaving addiction behind.States are using welfare funds to combat substance abuse problems. THE PROBLEM It's hard to get a job and almost impossible to keep it if you're addicted ad·dict·ed adj. 1. Physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance. 2. Compulsively or habitually involved in a practice or behavior, such as gambling. to drugs or alcohol. And in the relatively new world of welfare to work, recipients who are substance abusers pose a particular challenge for states. Federal studies estimate that up to 35 percent of the welfare population is addicted to drugs or alcohol. And these are the people most often sanctioned and dropped off the welfare rolls. Those who stay jeopardize a state's ability to meet strict federal work participation requirements, which could result in financial penalties. THE NEW APPROACHES The welfare reform law gives states a new opportunity to expand their substance abuse treatment for welfare recipients beyond the Substance Abuse and Mental Health block grant. States are using Temporary Assistance to Needy Families money to: * Screen applicants. * Put qualified substance abuse professionals in every welfare office. * Integrate substance abuse education into job readiness programs. * Teach welfare clients about addictions and how to recognize them. * Teach welfare clients that acknowledging an addiction will not penalize pe·nal·ize tr.v. pe·nal·ized, pe·nal·iz·ing, pe·nal·iz·es 1. To subject to a penalty, especially for infringement of a law or official regulation. See Synonyms at punish. 2. them or their children. * Provide screening services and treatment for welfare clients through mental health programs. * Provide transportation and child care for those who need substance abuse treatment. * Develop a plan to address the substance abuse needs of the entire welfare family through a comprehensive approach to treatment. * Begin pilot programs that provide financial incentives to businesses that hire welfare recipients. THE INNOVATORS Oregon, Florida, North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. , Utah, New Jersey, Kansas, Maryland THE COSTS Forty percent of the states have allocated some TANF TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (previously known as AFDC) funds for substance abuse services. Oregon uses its federal TANF funds for nonmedical substance abuse services including the pay of alcohol and drug abuse professionals who screen applicants at every welfare office. For medical treatment, Oregon uses its state maintenance of effort funds. Oregon also uses TANF to fund Mt. Hood Community College's comprehensive education program that all TANF clients are required to take even before they are screened for drugs or alcohol. The Florida Legislature The Florida Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Florida Constitution mandates a bicameral state legislature with an upper house Florida Senate of 40 members and a lower Florida House of Representatives of 120 members. put $20 million of TANF money in FY 1998 into local substance abuse and mental health programs. North Carolina is spending $10.3 million on substance abuse services this year, including its Enhanced Employee Assistance Program that serves private businesses that hire welfare recipients. THE OPINIONS "It is clearly urgent that we pay close attention to the substance abuse issue - so much depends on developing and implementing successful program models. I'm convinced that if we address this issue properly, we can substantially reduce many societal costs in human services and job productivity." - Senator Bill Martin, chair, North Carolina Appropriations Committee In the United States government, the Appropriations Committee can refer to either:
"In Florida, the Legislature got actively involved in deciding what needed to be done. Women with addiction problems were having trouble holding jobs, so we knew money had to go into programs that will help them. The experts don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what works, we need to evaluate this ourselves." - Representative Debby Sanderson, chair, Florida House Committee on Health and Human Services Noun 1. Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979 Department of Health and Human Services, HHS Appropriations "We need to reach these hard-to-serve welfare recipients, those struggling with substance abuse. domestic violence or other impediments IMPEDIMENTS, contracts. Legal objections to the making of a contract. Impediments which relate to the person are those of minority, want of reason, coverture, and the like; they are sometimes called disabilities. Vide Incapacity. 2. to self-sufficiency. Our welfare caseloads are dropping, and those left on the rolls will be parents who need intensive services. It is critical, not only for their individual self-sufficiency, but also for their children." - Senator Martha Yeager Walker, chair, West Virginia Senate The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature. There are 17 senatorial districts. Each district has two senators who serve staggered four-year terms. The body is generally considered more conservative than the West Virginia House of Delegates. Health and Human Services Committee "Oregon's substance abuse treatment program has evolved and expanded over time. What has made it successful is that it is fully integrated into the welfare-to-work program." - La Donna Pavetti, Mathmatica Policy Research |
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