ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SERVICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING |
SUBJECT: |
The Effect of Welfare Reform Policy in New York State |
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PURPOSE: |
To gather evidence to evaluate the impact of federal and state welfare reform policies on low-income individuals and families across the State. |
New York City
Thursday, July 7, 2005 |
This is the first hearing being held as part of a new project the Social Services Committee has initiated to evaluate the impact of welfare reform in New York State. The purpose of this project is to assess the effects that the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996, which established the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, and the subsequently enacted state welfare reform legislation have had on New York's needy citizens and low-income families. Many reports have emphasized the success of welfare reform policies in reducing welfare caseloads. According to Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) statistics, New York's public assistance caseload dropped dramatically from approximately 1.6 million in 1995 to just over 300,000 in 2005. Other studies have indicated, however, that the State's welfare reform policies have led to increases in family homelessness and food insecurity, as evidenced by the more recent rise in demand for shelter and emergency food assistance. Given these discrepancies in assessing welfare reform's effectiveness, it is essential that the Legislature reexamine the existing evidence in order to understand the actual impact of welfare reform. Since PRWORA initially expired in 2002, New York has been anticipating full federal TANF reauthorization while Congress has enacted a series of short-term extensions of the existing law. Currently, both U.S. House and Senate TANF reauthorization proposals contain significant increases in mandatory work participation rates, among other provisions aimed at intensifying the focus on work and the temporary nature of assistance. In preparation for these federal changes, the State also needs to gather evidence in relation to policies that have proven effective in assisting individuals overcome barriers to successfully make the transition to self-sufficiency through employment. At this hearing, the Committee seeks to elicit testimony that contains the key facts and information needed to form the basis of an evaluation of the impact of welfare reform in New York State. This evaluation will better position the Committee to address state level changes in the wake of federal reauthorization. With the collaboration of several researchers and advocates having expertise on a variety of issues related to welfare reform policies, the Committee has selected a specific group of outcome measures and related issues to which witnesses should direct their testimony. Please see the reverse side for a list of subjects to which witnesses may direct their testimony, and for a description of the bills which will be discussed at the hearing. Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation. Oral testimony will be limited to 15 minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible. In the absence of a request, witnesses will be scheduled in the order in which reply forms are postmarked. Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements. In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources. In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities. |
Deborah J. Glick
Member of Assembly |
SELECTED ISSUES TO WHICH WITNESSES MAY DIRECT THEIR TESTIMONY:
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PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on Welfare Reform Policy In New York State are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail it to:
Jill Poklemba |
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I plan to attend the following public hearing on Welfare Reform Policy In New York State to be conducted by the Assembly Committee on Social Services on July 7, 2005. |
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I plan to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to 15 minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide 10 copies of my prepared statement. |
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I will address my remarks to the following subjects:
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I do not plan to attend the above hearing. |
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