Grant Serves As Vehicle To Move Welfare Reform
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Local welfare reform efforts got a boost last week with the announcement of a $26,000 grant.
The state grant will be used by the county welfare department and Fast Cab Inc., the local cab company.
The money is part of $3.5 million awarded to 72 different Indiana communities aimed toward helping job seekers overcome barriers.
"We're hopeful it's really going to make a positive experience," said Peg Shively, director of Child and Family Services for Kosciusko County.
"It's primarily for out-of-town people. It's not intended for people to go three blocks."
Those eligible in Kosciusko County include about 80 families on temporary assistance and about 450 people who are receiving food stamps, Shively said.
The grant was sought with the hopes that four to five people would be using the service at any one time. But since it's a new concept, Shively said she's unsure how popular it will become.
The service will be available to clients for the first four weeks of employment. The limitation was set by local officials who believe after that amount of time the worker should be able to put money toward transportation needs, such as buying a car.
If the workers are not in a position to buy a car, they will be encouraged to arrange rides with other people.
"It doesn't take long to make those connections," she said. "In some cases, it may be longer than what we'll need."
"If they quit their job because of (a lack of) transportation, that's really not an excuse any more," Shively said.
Fast Cab provides rides 24 hours a day. The other transportation service, KABS, has a more limited operation schedule.
While KABS provides an important service to the community, Fast Cab is better suited to meet the specific demands of the program, Shively said.
Cab company owner Dave Cesaretti said last week he was unaware the grant had been secured.
Fast Cab recently began assisting the Family and Child Services on a small scale. The company is being reimbursed for providing rides to people who are wards of the court. So far, that program has involved two people, he said.
Fast Cab provides rides within Warsaw city limits for $5. Rides beyond city limits include a $1.50 per mile charge.
Shively said they receive a discount below normal rates.
Transportation is viewed as one of the major obstacles to getting and keeping a job. The other is child care arrangements.
Shively said there is a large amount of money to assist with child care, but not enough child care providers. That's especially the case for second and third shift workers and workers with sick children. [[In-content Ad]]
Local welfare reform efforts got a boost last week with the announcement of a $26,000 grant.
The state grant will be used by the county welfare department and Fast Cab Inc., the local cab company.
The money is part of $3.5 million awarded to 72 different Indiana communities aimed toward helping job seekers overcome barriers.
"We're hopeful it's really going to make a positive experience," said Peg Shively, director of Child and Family Services for Kosciusko County.
"It's primarily for out-of-town people. It's not intended for people to go three blocks."
Those eligible in Kosciusko County include about 80 families on temporary assistance and about 450 people who are receiving food stamps, Shively said.
The grant was sought with the hopes that four to five people would be using the service at any one time. But since it's a new concept, Shively said she's unsure how popular it will become.
The service will be available to clients for the first four weeks of employment. The limitation was set by local officials who believe after that amount of time the worker should be able to put money toward transportation needs, such as buying a car.
If the workers are not in a position to buy a car, they will be encouraged to arrange rides with other people.
"It doesn't take long to make those connections," she said. "In some cases, it may be longer than what we'll need."
"If they quit their job because of (a lack of) transportation, that's really not an excuse any more," Shively said.
Fast Cab provides rides 24 hours a day. The other transportation service, KABS, has a more limited operation schedule.
While KABS provides an important service to the community, Fast Cab is better suited to meet the specific demands of the program, Shively said.
Cab company owner Dave Cesaretti said last week he was unaware the grant had been secured.
Fast Cab recently began assisting the Family and Child Services on a small scale. The company is being reimbursed for providing rides to people who are wards of the court. So far, that program has involved two people, he said.
Fast Cab provides rides within Warsaw city limits for $5. Rides beyond city limits include a $1.50 per mile charge.
Shively said they receive a discount below normal rates.
Transportation is viewed as one of the major obstacles to getting and keeping a job. The other is child care arrangements.
Shively said there is a large amount of money to assist with child care, but not enough child care providers. That's especially the case for second and third shift workers and workers with sick children. [[In-content Ad]]