ADOPTED - APRIL 13, 2004

Agenda Item No. 15

Introduced by County Services Committee of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE WORK FIRST PROGRAM THROUGH

CAPITAL AREA MICHIGAN WORKS!

RESOLUTION #04-98

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Board of Commissioners is committed to improving the local economy and providing quality job opportunities for all residents of Ingham County; and

WHEREAS, Capital Area Michigan Works! shares in this vision and works diligently to serve Ingham County residents; and

WHEREAS, the welfare recipients of Ingham County are those in highest need of assistance in finding employment, upgrading basic skills and receiving important training to increase employability; and

WHEREAS, Ingham County's employers and businesses significantly benefit from the positive impact of a trained and qualified workforce; and

WHEREAS, Capital Area Michigan Works! operates the Work First program to serve Ingham County's welfare recipients by placing them into employment and giving them the tools to become self-sufficient citizens who do not need welfare support; and

WHEREAS, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm proposed funding of $100 million statewide in Fiscal Year 2005 to support welfare reform efforts through Work First, a $23 million reduction from Fiscal Year 2004, Capital Area Michigan Works! recognizes the fiscal challenges of the State of Michigan and supports Fiscal Year 2005 Work First funding as proposed; and

WHEREAS, current Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funding allocates less than five percent of its total resources to facilitating the transition of welfare recipients to self-sufficient taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, further cuts to Work First funding would render it impossible to operate a productive program.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners supports Governor Jennifer M. Granholm's FY 2005 funding recommendations of $100 million statewide for the Work First program.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners supports the use of all funding resources available including GF/GP and additional Temporary Assistance for Needy Families dollars to ensure Work First FY 2005 is funded at no less than $100 million statewide to continue to strengthen the capital area, and Michigan's, welfare reform initiatives, workforce and economy.

COUNTY SERVICES: Yeas: Swope, Thomas, De Leon, Hertel, Severino, Nevin

Nays: None Absent: None Approved 4/6/04