Resolution adopted by the Executive Council
The Standing Committee on National Concerns
Reaffirming Commitments to the Reduction of Poverty Nationwide

Resolved, that the Executive Council meeting in San Antonio, Texas, February 21-25 2002, reaffirms past resolutions established by the General Convention and the Executive Council supporting the work of the Church to reduce domestic poverty and calls on the U.S. Congress and Administration to support federal programs that value not only reducing caseloads, but offering dignity and opportunities for the working poor to move out of poverty; and be it further

Resolved, that the Church be focused on the support for and improvement of the federal government's network of programs to reduce the numbers of those living in poverty, support workers' efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and ensure continuing benefits for those who require a safety net to feed their families. Specifically the Church supports the reauthorization of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Food Stamps and Child Care Development Block Grant programs that should be reauthorized by Congress during 2002; and be it further

Resolved, that drawing on the vast experience of our Church in delivering social services through parish-based ministries and Episcopal service providers, Episcopalians should mobilize and engage policy makers in Washington to support programs to reduce poverty; and be it further

Resolved, that the Church find creative ways to engage the broader Church on poverty reduction nationwide.

In 1996, President Bill Clinton and the Congress agreed to a broad-sweeping reform of the nation's system to assist low-income families. “Welfare reform” ended entitlement of impoverished people to government assistance that had previously been guaranteed since the 1930's. Funding for this new welfare system is commonly referred to as TANF (pronounced tan-if) Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, and the welfare reform law is called the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PWRORA).

Funding for a number of important poverty programs will expire at the end of this year and must be “reauthorized” by Congress by September 30, 2002. Through the reauthorization process, legislators will be pressured by many constituencies to improve, limit, or rewrite all or parts of this critical anti-poverty program.

In the robust economy since 1996, the reformed safety net –combined with increased availability of jobs -- has reduced the number of people on the welfare rolls throughout the nation by 58%. Much work remains, however, with regard to those who have left the rolls. Many have jobs that do not provide a family-sustaining wage. Many have lost the supportive services, such as healthcare, that are essential to maintaining their households and are left poorer than they were on welfare. As the Church knows all to well, a strong and reliable safety net is important all the time, particularly at times of disaster and in economic downturns.

As people of faith and religious commitment, we have always been called to stand with and seek justice for those who are vulnerable or living in poverty. This is central to our religious traditions, sacred texts, and teachings. We share a conviction therefore, that TANF reauthorization should focus on poverty reduction, not caseload reduction. The government, non-profit and religious communities must work together in order to reduce poverty and increase self-sufficiency. Charity can supplement, but it cannot and should not replace the role of government. The opportunity to review the successes and failures of TANF over the past five years since the implementation of this program requires that the Church focus resources and expertise to this core mission area.