House Measure Eases Workfirst Rules Bill Would Let Parents Attending College Count Internships As Required Job Activity

Wendy White is just now able to provide for her family. A few years ago, she saw her 4-year-old and 6-year-old only after school and work, when they were sound asleep.

In order to afford a college education, the Tenino, Wash., resident had to go on public assistance. She struggled to get child-care coverage and had to work two part-time jobs while also getting on-the-job nursing experience so she could remain eligible for funding from the WorkFirst program.

“If I didn’t have to work, it would have made it much easier,” said White, who graduated from Centralia Community College and now works as a nurse. “I would have had more time for my studies. I would have had more time for my children. I would have had more time to socialize with my peers. I think that’s very important.”

State legislators are considering a bill sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Kenney, D-Seattle, that aims to alleviate some of the stress student-parents such as White face. House Bill 2367 would let recipients of the WorkFirst program’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant consider their college internships and practicums as fulfillments of the jobrelated activities requirement. The bill would also allow WorkFirst students to hang onto their grants for up to two years.

That would allow community college students to finish a two-year degree without giving up child-care money, said Monica Peabody, an organizer for the Welfare Reform Organizing Coalition, a statewide low-income parents’ advocacy group.

“A majority of the parents who use welfare often have no other support,” Peabody said about students who need child care in order to finish school. “If a full-time internship is required, that doesn’t leave a parent with choices.”

In order for families in the WorkFirst program to receive the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant, recipients must work at least part time.

Programs that lead to earning higher wages, such as teaching and nursing, often require practicums (on-the-job experience) or internships that must be completed before graduation. These requirements can last for several quarters or semesters and currently don’t count as job-related activities. TANF-grant recipients can use work study as a job-related activity for up to one year.

Legislators on the House Committee of Children and Family Services spoke overwhelmingly in favor of the bill.

“If this bill passes we get some real benefits that we don’t get now,” said Duane Sommers, R-Spokane.

Ken Miller, Gov. Gary Locke’s welfare policy adviser, said the governor supports the concept of the bill but thinks some restrictions should be added.

“We like the idea because the (WorkFirst) program is not supposed to be just about getting a job,” Miller said.

Miller said some limitations should be placed on how long an individual internship or practicum can last.

Peabody criticized WorkFirst for being too focused on getting recipients started at any job, regardless of whether it provides opportunities for advancement.

“Unfortunately, from what we’re seeing, WorkFirst is not encouraging people to go to school,” Peabody said. “In fact, people are often discouraged.”

Pam Praeger, an organizer for WorkFirst in Spokane, agreed that it seems like the program emphasizes getting a job right away. She said this is necessary so recipients can get some kind of income to supplement their grants.

Praeger supports Kenney’s bill. Welfare recipients should be encouraged to learn helpful skills as well as job responsibilities, she said.

Beverly Walker-Griffea counsels single parents at Spokane Community College. She said extending the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant is a good idea for the students she sees. “I think it would help our students here at SCC tremendously,” Walker-Griffea said.

Child care is the area student-parents struggle with most often, she added.

“That’s the number one thing with the parent is that they want to spend time with their children,” Walker-Griffea said.

This sidebar appeared with the story: IN COMMITTEE Vote today

The House Committee on Children and Family Services is expected to vote today on HB 2367 to extend WorkFirst benefits to college-student parents who are working in practicums or internships related to their fields of study.