In March 1998, HRA started to convert welfare offices in New York City into Job Centers. This re-organization of NYC's welfare system stands for: "work first." All applicants who could get a job and who enter a Job Center are assisted in looking for alternatives to welfare. Job Centers provide on-site access to job search and placement services, childcare information, vocational, educational and training services, as well as referrals for Medicaid, Food Stamps and other emergency assistance benefits. Information, services and referrals may be offered as substitutes to cash assistance in order to minimize barriers to employment and negate the need for welfare.
Job Center participants who are medically able to work and whose problems (such as childcare) have been addressed, must engage in full time job search focused on obtaining unsubsidized employment (meaning all jobs the government is not paying partly for). Through this service-oriented approach a significant number of potential participants void welfare dependency. Those who do not find employment, and do receive welfare, participate in the Work Experience Program (WEP) combined with other education, training and job search activities designed to help them become self-sufficient.
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