Hypothetical: How would you improve the welfare system for families?

[DarkLight]

You’d need massive expansions in most cities for that to work.

 

[Theo520]

Food programs at schools are fantastic but what about weekends, holidays, Christmas/Summer breaks etc.

Sounds like those kids need CPS to find them a new home,
that’s “what about” feeding outside of school hours.

 

[phil19034]

I would institute a “program” (I guess that’s what you would call it) where everyone*** on welfare needs to give back to society somehow to help “earn” their benefit. This helps them feel a sense of self-worth and appreciate a job well done.

Examples for married couples without children:

• Both have jobs.
• If one cannot find a job, then they must perform a community service for the govt. (not as a punishment) but as a way to give back to society: cleaning up community parks, soil conservation projects, helping with traffic surveys, serving soup in a govt homeless shelter, etc.
• take classes for a trade

There are PLENTY of service projects that the govt organizations have, which need volunteers. Often, they are waiting for Boy Scouts to pick them up as Eagle Projects. There’s no reason whey people on welfare cannot work on some of these if they cannot find a paid job.

For single mothers who can’t work:

• taking care of children IS GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY, so I have no issues with single mothers receiving welfare and not working.
• However, there are still service projects they can do by themselves at home or with their kids (even if they are doing far fewer. For example: helping with public announcement mailings (instead of hiring a company to do it), picking up litter at the local park with their kids (3 years old and up), etc.

Point is, I think there is plenty we can do to help people who are on Welfare feel like they are contributing to society. Also, such such a program would help people with poor work habits develop better ones and help them to perhaps pursue a better job.

God Bless.

*** Again, what I meant by “everyone” is at least one adult per filed tax return (both if no dependents).

 

[phil19034]

Also, could bring back apprenticeship programs for people on welfare. If you receive welfare, you need to enter in a apprenticeship programs that is paid (unless you are taking care of kids at home).

Set it up so it’s a win-win for employees & welfare recipients because the employer won’t have to pay full wages. They can get cheaper employees who are their primary to learn a trade. Also, also select small business the ability to apply for a grant if they can’t afford to pay the apprentice / intern. Employees could also (as part of the pay) offer a paid meal (for example, if they have 4 interns, they could buy a pizza).

There are plenty of ways to get creative with a joint public-private sector program.

God bless

 

[Augustinian]

Also, could bring back apprenticeship programs for people on welfare. If you receive welfare, you need to enter in a apprenticeship programs that is paid (unless you are taking care of kids at home).

There are definitely fields which need new blood and apprenticeship is an answer.

There are very few cobblers out there, this neighborhood’s last shoe repairman retired last year at age 85( and subsequently passed on). Same with cobblers in some of the adjacent areas, up in New Kensington and Creighton they lost a couple of guys who served for a long time in the field

 

[DarkLight]

I’d say the bigger concern is people who are on welfare but are already working. The proportion of work-eligible recipients who are not working is lower than those who are, and there’s some evidence that people are being classified as work eligible who aren’t actually able to work. A large proportion of fast food and retail workers are receiving welfare.

 

[Theo520]

Even someone taking care of kids can work in a day care part time
It might help them become better parents themselves.

 

[RCIAGraduate]

But will there be enough jobs for everyone who has to transition from welfare to work?

You can not improve the system because no matter what you do it will be abused.

Do we end welfare for the sins of the few, at the expense of the many innocent? Including those left behind by today’s economy?

 

[RCIAGraduate]

I think you’re being quite insensitive in respect your comment. I don’t think we should take away children from their homes (many of whom are quite loving and doing what they can), especially to place them in an extremely sub-par foster care that is stretched beyond its limits (and continues to fail many who are already in the system, especially foster youth).

Many parents care but they really struggle. And many of them have compelling stories to tell.

Four Mothers School Bill O’Reilly on Child Hunger | The Nation

 

[RCIAGraduate]

Sounds like a great plan, though it probably would have to be limited to cities and suburban areas, building public transit in rural and spread out areas is a challenge especially since American usage isn’t prevalent (indicative of low demand among the general population though specific groups have a high need).

If TANF had boosted funding (like quintpled or even ten times the funding) imagine the possibility for families in need.

Would the support services (child care, transit), would those end up being limited to five years or would those be indefinite?

 

[DarkLight]

I think you’re being quite insensitive in respect your comment. I don’t think we should take away children from their homes (many of whom are quite loving and doing what they can), especially to place them in an extremely sub-par foster care that is stretched beyond its limits (and continues to fail many who are already in the system, especially foster youth).

To be fair, Theo’s response was to a specific line about parents who are choosing to spend welfare on addictions. I don’t think he intends it to apply to parents who lack the resources to care for children.

I hate the idea of separating parents and children, but addictions can be brutal on kids.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

• taking care of children IS GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY, so I have no issues with single mothers receiving welfare and not working.

Oh
heck
no

I live in an area where daycare costs are throug.the.roof because of low income subsidies. My family pays a disgusting amount of property tax to fund education for all children, but also children as young as 3 who are in full-time pre-k programs.

Cost of my housing is driven up for a few reasons—metroplis an hour away, builders only building 500k houses and subsidized housing.

Wanna know why you can’t find a place to rent for below $800? Because that’s the cap for housing assistance.

Because of this, I work part-time. My children miss out because I’m working. Now, I’m working only part-time because I am highly educated and can pull off a lucrative dozen of hours a week, rather than working 40. My husband dosn’t earn bad money but we’re in a HCOL area. Our mortgage is less than renting but it’s still crazy. Obamacare blew a gaping hole in our budget where we went from an HMO that cost us around $3k a max to a LCHD plan that costs us around $15k a year if we all are relatively healthy.

Subsidizing childcare (even by the child’s own parent) just makes the whole economy go crazy.

Shift sharing and small community housing may be a better option. Single mom that can’t support her children living with 3-4 other single moms. Between them they manage to help cover 2 full-time shifts, they watch each other’s children, they are beholden to each other, they figure out each other’s schedules. They get their own bedroom space (one large one for each adult and small ones for each child) but share the more expensive household areas–like kitchens an bathrooms. They are in charge of figuring out the household budget, the expenditures and basically make their own micro-economy. A community caregiver is available in an RA like position to match potential clients and help settle disputes. There may be opportunities also for impoverished single women to join a household in a supportive role, too, and perhaps even for a male-centered household of EOWE fathers who are looking to better themselves, pay better child care, be more of a parent and ensure that they have a clean, safe space when they do have physical custody.

 

[phil19034]

Even someone taking care of kids can work in a day care part time
It might help them become better parents themselves.

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[RCIAGraduate]

Offf! I missed that, sorry about that. If parents are struggling with addiction though, they need access to treatment and holistic support in order to recover from substance abuse.

 

[Theo520]

I think you’re being quite insensitive in respect your comment. I don’t think we should take away children from their homes (many of whom are quite loving and doing what they can), especially to place them in an extremely sub-par foster care that is stretched beyond its limits (and continues to fail many who are already in the system, especially foster youth). Many foster homes are quite loving and supportive.

Many parents care but they really struggle. And many of them have compelling stories to tell.

I think you are ignoring basic reality.
If a parent can’t manage their welfare checks to feed their kids outside of school hours, then they don’t sound like they are providing a loving home. Sounds more like there are addiction issues and CPS should step in.

 

[RCIAGraduate]

I think CPS can play a role but it doesn’t necessarily need be a punitive one but rather a supportive one (for every case that necessitates punitive action, perhaps there are ten other families in genuine need of support). Additionally, would you agree that early intervention can prevent many situations from spiraling out of control?

The thing is a lot of foster care experiences aren’t really pleasant and sometimes seem much worse than struggling homes so there’s that. A lot of foster alumni don’t seem to have favorable experiences from care.

*Pardon if my “idealism” sounds a bit nauseating to read over.

 

[Theo520]

If the parents can’t feed their kids when we have free food available for them, that sounds like a really bad home for the kids, not safe at all. At least in foster care they are getting food, shelter, and basic healthcare.

 

[DarkLight]

As I recall CPS can do what’s called a parenting plan, where the parents have to check in regularly with a social worker and meet certain metrics. So what would happen in a case like that is the parents can keep the children so long as they pass drug tests and show regular attendance at a treatment program (often refraining from being around known addicts is also in there). And CPS will come by unannounced and check in the kitchen for suitable food.

 

[QContinuum]

I hate the idea of separating parents and children, but addictions can be brutal on kids.

Agree with this. Foster care isn’t great, but living in a home where mom or dad is constantly high or passed out or on the streets looking for more is a terrible home environment. Floors covered in trash and used needles. Dangerous boyfriends or girlfriends brought home. Having to scavenge for food every day.

I truly pity those poor kids.

 

[RCIAGraduate]

Again, pardon about the context, I thought you were applying to general situations.