ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SERVICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING |
SUBJECT: |
HEARING #2: The Effect of Welfare Reform Policy in New York State |
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PURPOSE: |
To gather further evidence to evaluate the impact of federal and state welfare reform policies on low-income individuals and families across the State. |
Albany, NY
Wednesday, September 21, 2005 |
This is the second hearing being held as part of the Assembly Social Services Committee’s project to evaluate the impact of welfare reform policy in New York State. The first hearing, held in New York City on July 7, 2005, convened a wide variety of representatives from organizations having experience with federal, state and local welfare policies including non-profit social services agencies, legal advocacy groups, and educational institutions. While some testimony presented at the initial hearing highlighted the success of welfare reform in terms of reducing public assistance caseloads and emphasized the importance of a work-first approach, the majority of testimony that was submitted focused on the problems that remain for those still working hard to permanently rise above poverty. Topics addressed included barriers to self-sufficiency that remain for many. Those barriers included the presence of a severe physical or mental disability, substance abuse problems, and domestic violence issues. The negative impact of sanction policies and practices was also identified as contributing to the financial struggles faced by families in receipt of public assistance. A number of other hardships were also addressed such as: obtaining affordable housing, transportation, and child care; maintaining sustainable wage employment; and dealing with either temporary or long-term homelessness. In addition to the struggles faced by current and former public assistance recipients, witnesses at the first hearing also discussed some societal trends pertaining to the rise in the number of children born into poor families and the relative decline in the value of low-wage employment. Furthermore, several witnesses emphasized research that noted the increasing importance of higher education for those seeking jobs that pay a living wage, as they provided evidence of the improved economic stability outcomes for those completing college while receiving public assistance. Given the remaining discrepancy between various organizations’ research findings in assessing the success of welfare reform, the Committee seeks to gather further evidence containing the essential facts related to the impact of welfare reform policy in New York State. Both in preparation for any state level changes that may be needed to implement federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) reauthorization, and to enable the Social Services Committee to complete a comprehensive evaluation, this hearing will provide a second forum for the presentation of testimony related to the impact of welfare reform policies on New York’s citizens in need. The key group of outcome measures selected for the first hearing has been modified to elicit testimony addressing specific topics about which the Committee would like additional information. Please see below for a list of subjects to which witnesses may direct their testimony. Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the reply form found below 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 10 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 |
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 The Effect Of 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 September 21, 2005. |
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I plan to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to 10 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 would like to be added to the Committee mailing list for notices and reports. |
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I would like to be removed from the Committee mailing list. |
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