ADC program would include class, study hours

Senators advanced a bill from general file March 5 that would extend the termination date for self-sufficiency activities under the Welfare Reform Act from Sept. 30, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2016.

Under LB842, introduced by Scottsbluff Sen. John Harms, recipients of the state Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) program would be able to count their hours spent pursuing an associate degree towards their work activity requirements.

Parents in the ADC program are required to perform 30 hours per week of work activity, Harms said, and the state allows them to meet those requirements through education or specialized training programs for 12 months. The bill would extend the program for an additional four years to accommodate parents who are working toward an associate or vocational degree by assuring they have enough time to complete such programs, he said.

“It just gives young people and adults participating in the ADC program a chance to progress towards a degree … and move towards a process of taking care of their families through education,” Harms said.

A Health and Human Services Committee amendment added a reporting requirement to the bill that would evaluate the effectiveness of the program prior to the new termination date.

The data would include:
• the total number of participants in the ADC program pursuing an associate degree;
• the graduation rates of participants;
• the number of participants making satisfactory progress;
• the length of time participants spend fulfilling work requirements;
• the monthly earning, educational level attained and employment status of participants at six and 12 months after terminating participation; and
• a summary of activities performed by the state Department of Health and Human Services to promote postsecondary educational opportunities to participants in ADC.

“This data would give [the Legislature] a lot more information about how successful the program is for future legislation,” Harms said.

The amendment was adopted 34-0 and the bill advanced from general file on a 36-0 vote.