In business, government, and basically any other arena, extremes generally have negative, unintended consequences.
Take the case of Indiana’s welfare system. In late 2006, after concluding that inconsistencies and fraud riddled the Family and Social Services Administration, Gov. Daniels awarded IBM a $1.16 billion, 10-year contract to automate welfare applications and services.
IBM and the state then dismantled a model that was based on individual caseworkers working with welfare applicants at community sites. They replaced it with a centralized, privatized system that relied heavily upon automated call centers and online registration.
The Daniels administration touted the new system for efficiency, fairness and consistency. But those in 12 test counties — Madison County included — found it to be arbitrary, inaccessible, slow and downright frustrating. The new system eventually served 59 counties and about a third of the state’s 1.2 million person welfare case load. But applicants complained that, in addition to ferreting out abuses of the welfare system, the new model penalized people who legitimately qualified by punishing wrong turns in a perplexing application process.
This month, the administration, pressured by class-action lawsuits, announced that it would discontinue the contract with IBM to manage state welfare. Instead, the state will manage the welfare system by turning to a combination of the old caseworker-based model and some features of the call-center and online-registration model.
After all of these missteps, the state finally appears headed in the right direction. The old system offered face-to-face interaction for those who were seeking food stamps, Medicaid or other benefits but didn’t fit neatly into a particular eligible or non-eligible category. It also provided an important combination of counseling and registration direction. Its weakness was the uneven disbursement of aid, sometimes at the whim of local frontline FSSA employees.
The recently debunked system did offer the opportunity for do-it-yourself form filing, which some folks prefer. It also offered a greater measure, theoretically, of policy consistency across the state.
The new system, currently under development by the state and due for public disclosure Dec. 14, could provide better accessibility and better solutions — if it’s formatted and managed correctly.
When it comes to the state’s handling of welfare, that’s always a big “if.”
Editorials
Editorial: This time, let's make the welfare system work
In business or government, extremes generally have negative or unintended consequences
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Editorial: New 911 consolidation is good for county
When it comes to emergencies, a fast and proper response is sometimes the difference between life and death. Therefore it is important for 911 services to be coordinated for the best response time. It’s even better if those services are consolidated with one location fielding calls from multiple areas.
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Editorial: On Valentine’s Day, indulge in selfishness of volunteering
In the final analysis, we’re all selfish beings. Everything we do, at its core, is motivated by what is good for us.
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You Said It: About roundabouts, Mayor Smith’s firings, recycling, State of City address
The bottom line in Mayor Kevin Smith’s State of the City address Tuesday during the Anderson Rotary Club’s luncheon at Anderson Country Club was simple: To attract investment, you have to make investments. (Article published Feb. 4.)
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Editorial: Firings show inability to turn foes into friends
Politics is a double-edged sword.
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Editorial: Help celebrate city's strong black history
Many times we overlook the small achievements of residents long gone who made a better Anderson for those of us alive today. There is no better time to recognize and cherish those stories than during Black History Month.
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Editorial: Madison County needs vision for future tourism
Slot machines, gospel music, a beautiful state park and candy are all thriving as destination sites. Now is the time to explore a way to connect these valuable attractions and encourage new ideas.
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Editorial: AHS grad rates moving up, must be pushed ever higher
A diploma is a must, but it has to mean something. Anderson High School must do this the right way, not cutting corners and passing students through classes, but making them accountable for learning the subject matter.
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Editorial: With changes to program, why not begin recycling?
The public has to understand the importance of recycling aluminum and steel cans, cardboard, glass, newspapers and certain plastics. Besides minimizing a community’s waste, recycling saves energy, natural resources and the environment.
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Editorial: Reality returns after Super Bowl mania
While we loved what the Super Bowl did for our reputation, it’s time to get back to the real world. Let’s recap the lost week.
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You Said It: About contract, 'Teen Mom,' State of the City
Each Monday, The Herald Bulletin publishes “You Said It,” a compilation of reader comments from www.theheraldbulletin.com, coupled with responses by the newspaper’s editorial board.
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Editorial: New 911 consolidation is good for county
