Policy & Practice articles from June 2002

Policy & Practice archives from June 2002

Letter from the executive director.(human service integration)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
June 1, 2002... In the next several issues of POLICY AND PRACTICE, we will explore human service integration. It is a noble effort often fraught with barriers, resistance, and obstacles--real or perceived. I once heard service integration defined as "an...

Inside story.(human service agencies)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... What do you get when you mix antiquated computer systems, state bureaucracy, and caseworkers from different branches of a state's health and human service agency? Up until recently, you'd get wasted time, wasted effort, and wasted money. You'd...

New Mexico. (Dispatches from the States).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... A unique photography exhibit, the Heart Gallery, is helping to raise awareness about children available for adoption in New Mexico. The exhibit captures the character and essence of many of the children waiting to be adopted. One boy was...

Hot line, ads push welfare to work. (Louisiana).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The Advocate The state launched a $500,000 multipronged campaign in May to get people connected with programs designed to help them get-and stay off-welfare Billboards will be posted promoting the variety of services offered, along with a...

Minnesota leads nation in welfare lobbyists. (Minnesota).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Minnesota Star-Tribune Minnesota was home to more lobbyists representing welfare interests than any other state in 2000 and ranked 17th for the amount of money spent by lobbyists trying to influence elected officials and state lawmakers....

Ruling limits legislative drug review. (Oklahoma).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The Oklahoman State Attorney General Drew Edmondson ruled state legislators do not have a legal duty to review and make recommendations regarding a controversial pharmaceutical program administered by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority....

State's children healthier than in past despite jump in those on welfare. (Tennessee).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The Tennessean Tennessee children are generally healthier than they have been, but the economic downturn pushed up the number of children on welfare and food stamps, a report on conditions for children notes. On two key indicators children...

Service integration and the superwaiver: A conversation with Wade Horn.(Interview)
June 1, 2002... Nationwide, state and county human service agencies are recommitting themselves to providing the best human services to their clients in a more effective and efficient manner. The recommitment has been fueled by important trends and changes at...

Restructuring in Oregon.
June 1, 2002... It's rare for a state agency director to confess before legislative committees that his organization is falling short. But the director of the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) did just that. "We're making it too hard for our clients,"...

TANF benefits in a sagging economy.
June 1, 2002... It is well known that welfare caseloads have declined dramatically--from 5.0 million families with Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) in January 1995 to 2.2 million families with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in...

There's got to be a better way: information technology and human service programs.
June 1, 2002... Four years ago, we set out of find out if information systems were supporting the work of the new welfare. Not surprinsingly, we found that, in many states, information systems have not kept up with the rapid changes in programs and processes....

Welfare Reform: The Next Act. (Book Notes).
June 1, 2002... Edited by Alan Weil and Kenneth Finegold As reauthorization of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant moves through Congress, Welfare Reform: The Next Act offers a comprehensive synthesis of research on post-1996...

Children who see too much: lessons from the Child Witness to Violence Project. (Book Notes).
June 1, 2002... Examines ways adults can understand and protect the very young children around us who see too much. Drawing from the Child Witness to Violence Project's counseling and training programs, the book is written for parents, teachers, police...

Community programs to promote youth development. (Book Notes).
June 1, 2002... Edited by Jacquelynne Eccies and Jennifer Appleton Gootman Explores the role after-school programs, scout groups, community service activities, religious youth groups, and other community-based activities play in the lives of adolescents....

American policy making. (Book Notes).
June 1, 2002... Challenges the prevailing ethos of humanitarianism as it examines U.S. social policy-making. The book presents a uniquely unsentimental analysis of American social policy-making with great scope and depth, particularly in the personal social...

Page B. Walley. (Comings & Goings).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Page B. Walley was named commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services in Nashville. Prior to his appointment, Commissioner Walley managed a behavioral health consulting firm in Jackson, Mississippi, and served as a clinical...

Gwendolyn L. Harris. (Comings & Goings).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Governor James E. McGreevey appointed Gwendolyn L. Harris commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services in Trenton. She was previously chief of staff to Trenton's mayor, Douglas Palmer. Harris founded Newark Emergency Services for...

John Hamilton. (Comings & Goings).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... In July, John Hamilton will become secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration in Indianapolis. He previously served as Governor Frank O'Bannon's commissioner of the Department of Environmental Management. In 1991-92,...

Rhonda M. Medows. (Comings & Goings).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Rhonda M. Medows was named secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration in Tallahassee. She will begin her new position in August. Dr. Medows has served as medical director for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida. Prior to that,...

Micheal O'Keefe. (Comings & Goings).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... In June, Micheal O'Keefe left his position as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services in Saint Paul. He has accepted a new position as president of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Our Do'ers Profile.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... In Our Do'ers Profile, we highlight some of the hard-working and talented individuals in the public human services field. This issue features Bobby link of the Department of Human Services in Salem, Oregon. Name: Bobby S. Mink Title:...