Nevada among first five states to win Welfare-to-Work funding

Thursday, Feb. 5, 1998 | 11:13 a.m.

The money will be primarily administered at the local level by private industry councils set up in various Nevada communities.

State Welfare Administrator Myla Florence says the councils can use the cash to help companies improve on-the-job training, help job placement services, fund job readiness programs, or supplement wage support for employers.

She said the Welfare-to-Work program is aimed at long-term welfare recipients whose cash support under new federal rules will terminate within 12 months. It's also directed toward non-custodial parents of children on public assistance.

Florence said Nevada expedited development of the program in hopes of beginning to offer services as early as this spring.

The money is part of a package of $2.2 billion allocated nationwide over two years. Nevada is among the first five states to get such funds.

"The Welfare-to-Work program is an important part of building on Nevada's success in helping people get off public assistance and into good jobs," said Gov. Bob Miller.

He pointed out that Nevada's welfare rolls have been reduced by 34 percent over the past two years. While some credit changes in welfare programs both at the federal and state levels, economists also point out that the nation's jobless rate is at a 20-year low because of the nation's booming economy.