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ILGARD RESEARCH ASSOCIATES MODERATE CONFERENCE PANEL

December 2001

Four years after federal and state welfare reform policies went into effect, local government agencies have helped many people learn to survive without governmental cash assistance. Those remaining on the welfare rolls, however, are generally the most difficult populations to serve, which largely include women and children. Two research associates from the Institute for Local Government and Rural Development (ILGARD) recently moderated a conference panel discussion in which participants addressed the impact of Ohio's welfare reform mandate on rural women.

Karl Runser and Chris Miewald headed the panel discussion, The Effect of Welfare Reform on Women in Morgan County, Ohio, at the third annual conference on Women of Appalachia, Their Heritage and Accomplishments, held this fall at Ohio University, Zanesville.

"Recent federal and state welfare reform policies have given local communities more responsibility and flexibility in determining the direction and scope of welfare programs. The women who remain on welfare despite these reforms often face overwhelming hardships, including a lack of child care, transportation and medical assistance," said Runser.

Runser and Miewald are part of a team that assists Ohio Department of Job and Family Services members in developing strategies for implementing welfare reform in their region.

"The panel was designed to allow conference attendees to hear from the providers of social services themselves, regarding how local decisions are affecting the women they serve," Runser explained. Panelists included Dee Vandine, Eligibility Referral Supervisor Two, Morgan County Department of Job and Family Services; Cathy Apperson, Eligibility Referral Supervisor One, Morgan County Department of Job and Family Services; Joyce Drake, Morgan County Outreach Director, Community Action Program Corporation of Washington-Morgan Counties, Ohio; Robin Bozian, Managing Attorney, Southeast Ohio Legal Services; and Mary Tom, Victim/Witness Advocate, Morgan County Prosecutor's Office.

"Often real-life is very different from theoretical plans. This panel let the audience hear true stories of both successes and challenges that were faced," Runser said. "We had a very lively discussion with a lot of audience involvement. Audience members were especially interested in hearing about the practical side of welfare reform."

The conference attracted over 150 participants from 11 different states. Attendees included members of academia, social service providers, writers, social workers and artists, who were all interested in the issues facing Appalachian women.

ILGARD is a part of Ohio University's Voinovich Center for Leadership & Public Affairs. For 20 years, ILGARD has been making knowledge work for Ohio's Appalachian communities through applied research and technical assistance.