WHEREAS, In 1996, the Federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act created the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families block grant. Currently, as the program stands it will end on September 30, 2002. Legislation must be passed prior to that date by the United States Congress to reauthorize the program. When the time comes, it is likely that Congress and the President will take the opportunity to consider key policy changes within the program; and

WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island is in the midst of a profound affordable housing shortage, which impacts low-income families' ability to obtain and retain stable employment; and

WHEREAS, Over the past ten years Rhode Island has experienced a 43.2 percent increase in population with modest or limited English speaking abilities; and

WHEREAS, The income gap associated with levels of educational attainment in Rhode Island is wide and increasing. Parents without high school diplomas experienced a 63.3 percent real income decline between 1983 and 2000, while those with college degrees saw their incomes increase 53 percent over the same time; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island's Family Independence Act created a program that has generated numerous positive outcomes for families. The likelihood of parents becoming employed has nearly doubled. It has been established that education and training opportunities increase both the likelihood of employment and the level of family income, including, but not limited to, improving access to quality childcare for working low- and moderate-income families; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby supports using Rhode Island's Family Independence Program as a national model for assisting low-income families. Furthermore, this body only supports Temporary Assistance to Needy Families authorization that increases overall federal funding, with a focus on ensuring that parents are afforded education and training opportunities, from basic education through post-secondary, to succeed in an employment economy which increasingly rewards high skills. It must grant states the flexibility to use Temporary Assistance to Needy Family funding to help parents prepare for work in the best way possible, and acknowledge that reduced family poverty is the best measure of program success. Funding for quality case management and necessary support service must be included. It is necessary that the well-being of families and the healthy development of children be respected by guaranteeing that individual employment and earned income objectives proceed from a holistic assessment of parent and child needs. Children in all families shall be supported, regardless of constitution; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable George W. Bush, the President of the United States, and the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation.