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State lawmakers and social service providers welcome Indiana’s extensive plan to correct its failing welfare system.
But they aren’t convinced it provides the right guidance for private welfare vendor IBM Corp. to resolve widespread problems.
Rep. Gail Riecken, D-Evansville, was one of four lawmakers briefed by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s head last month.
Parts of the plan encourage her, but Riecken remains concerned that the plan doesn’t address the need for caseworkers.
She recently heard of a client with Alzheimer’s disease who couldn’t navigate the new system by telephone. Riecken said such clients need more face-to-face help.
“It’s just not going to work, in my opinion, unless we find out a way for these folks who can’t do it on their own,” she said.
Riecken has asked for a summer study committee to review welfare privatization, and she may find out Monday whether that request will be honored. She also has been in talks to conduct hearings around the state with two social service advocacy groups that would bring testimony back to Indianapolis.
And the state has taken other steps, she said, such as sending out a survey this week to various social service providers.
“Whatever is learned in this process will be beneficial, whether or not the relationship with IBM continues,” she said.
State Rep. Win Moses, D-Fort Wayne, said he has not had a chance to review the plan. But after hearing that IBM identifies 36 key problems with privatization, his outlook is less hopeful.
“I think our future is pretty bleak with this company,” he said.
Jeffrey Brasie, CEO of Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester, recently sent letters to Gov. Mitch Daniels and FSSA Secretary Anne Murphy encouraging them to press IBM for fast action.
“The review and approval process is just long and drawn out,” Brasie said. “Something that used to be very responsive and reactive is like pouring molasses in February.”
Peabody’s director of business affairs, Iyvonne Byers, echoed Riecken’s belief that the plan won’t correct anything unless IBM can connect clients with better educated staff.
“I don’t think throwing more people at the problem is going to help,” she said. “You have to have a trained person on the other end.”
