LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Welfare Reform: Families
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The Family Violence Option is an amendment to the federal welfare reform legislation. The Family Violence Option enables states to keep women safe through the welfare-to-work process by giving them the opportunity to obtain access to domestic violence counseling, safety planning, and other needed services before seeking work. Most states have adopted the Family Violence Option, or are making plans to do so this year.
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The success of welfare reform requires a seamless system of supports as families move from welfare to work. Getting all key players to the table (at the federal, state, and community level) is essential to ensuring that the many dimensions of self-sufficiency are addressed.
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The 1996 reforms aimed to reduce the number of families receiving welfare benefits -- and that has happened. Between August 1996 and September 2000 (the date for the most recent statistics), the number of families on welfare declined by 50%. True, the unemployment rate over that period declined to 4% from 5.5%. But during the economic expansion of the 1980s the welfare caseload remained stable while the unemployment rate dropped to 5.3% in 1989 from 9.6% in 1983.
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Although major Medicaid reform was not adopted, Medicaid eligibility for certain population groups will be affected by federal welfare reform. As a result, the Family Independence Agency's efforts to simplify the Medicaid eligibility process may be hampered.
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With welfare reform scheduled for reauthorization in September of 2002, renewed debate is underway over whether excluding legal immigrants from public assistance is appropriate. At the end of 2001, it was estimated that at least 116,000 immigrant families have incomes low enough to qualify for welfare and food stamps, but cannot receive any assistance because of their date of entry to the U.S. This number will continue to increase.1
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It is now time for Americans to stand up with courage and say that welfare reform has failed to help poor families move and stay out of poverty. All individuals, irrespective of their lot in life, should have the fundamental human rights, such as the right to food, housing, health care, and a living wage, to lead a life of dignity.
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