| By Bob Weaver
State Senator Jeff Kessler wonders if the state's WV WORKS program is helping those state residents who need it the most.
WV WORKS often gives reports that indicates few people are unemployed in the Mountain State. Those reports have been standard fare to inform the public about employment in WV, but in fact only report on individuals who are currently receiving unemployment.
Critics of back-to-work programs say that few jobs exist in WV after an individual has received training, unless they leave the state, or that the program is often training individuals for jobs that do not exist.
Kessler says he's upset by information released to lawmakers recently by the state Department of Health and Human Resources.
Kessler says the statistics show that two out of every three residents on welfare, who are taken off of cash assistance after the 60-month deadline, are not being placed in jobs.
Kessler, talking about the multi-mullion dollar WV WORKS program, says, "My concern is if we are not placing them, why?"
He says that residents are facing major social problems.
"What's going to happen to them if there's no ultimate placement? They have to go out on the streets and fend for themselves, and I could anticipate a rise in crime."
Kessler says WV WORKS is a program that is touted as being successful, "But to me, a one out of three success rate isn't very compelling."
The senator says WV WORKS must get better. "We need to make sure we know why these folks aren't succeeding and what are the reasons these folks aren't able to enter the workforce."
Critics say the jobs, in many cases, just aren't there.
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