Cut Teen Pregnancies - Win a Grant
Dateline: 09/21/00
On September 15, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS) announced it would award four states and the District of Columbia $100 million each as bonuses for achieving the nation's largest decreases in out-of-wedlock births between 1995 and 1998.
According to an HHS press release, the awardees are Alabama, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Illinois and Michigan. Each will receive $20 million. Under the 1996 law, a total of $100 million will be available annually. This is the second award for Alabama, the District of Columbia and Michigan.
"Among the priorities of the 1996 welfare reform law were promoting parental responsibility and encouraging two-parent families," said Secretary Shalala in the press release. "I'm very pleased to award these bonuses as an incentive to advance these important family goals."
The award money can be spent only on existing, approved programs designed to assist needy families.
"Reducing out-of-wedlock births is a significant way to reduce the risk of welfare dependency," said Olivia A. Golden HHS assistant secretary for children and families. "We look forward to continued results of state efforts to use the flexibility and resources provided by welfare reform."
Under the welfare reform law, the annual bonuses are to be awarded to as many as five states with the largest reduction in the proportion of out-of-wedlock births to total births. The states must also show a reduction in its rate of abortions performed over the same period. Similar bonuses of $100 million are to be awarded in 2001 making for a total of $300 million given out since 1999.
| Online Discussion: Welfare Reform or Just More Spending? |
The welfare reform law of 1996 Secretary Shalala referred to is "The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996," This huge law, perhaps the most sweeping piece of social legislation to come from the Clinton presidency, is designed to reduce the cost of America's public welfare system to taxpayers.
Funding for the $100 million out-of-wedlock birth rate reduction bonuses came from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program set up under Title I of the welfare reform act of 1996. By the end of 2001, about $57 billion will be spent in TANF grants and awards alone.
How does reducing out-of-wedlock birth and teen pregnancy rates help cut welfare spending?
Next page Benefits of cutting out-of-wedlock births >Page 1, 2, 3
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