The best reporter on welfare reform reports on welfare reform

Thursday, November 18, 1:30-6:00 PM
Implications of welfare reform for the working poor: A conference organized by the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, featuring Jason deParle
Westin Hotel, downtown Indianapolis

In the 1990s it became clear that the focal point in the universe of welfare policy reform was the state of Wisconsin. New York Times reporter Jason deParle basically took up residence in Milwaukee and Madison to cover what was to become the biggest story in US social policy since the Great Society of LBJ, perhaps since FDR’s New Deal. Although Jason came to Wisconsin critical, even hostile, to the changes being discussed by Gov. Tommy Thompson and others (Democrats as well as Republicans), his reporting was always balanced and insightful. His long awaited book, American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare, meets all expectations. Jason balances penetrating analyses of the national and state-level players with eloquent portraits of those whose lives were most shaken by the reforms. Sympathetic without being sentimental, a tough stance to take. Jason will be the keynote speaker for the Indianapolis Fall Forum of the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues at the Westin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. As though the event needs more … also featured will be Charles Warren, co-author of ICHHI’s recent report, The Status of Working Families in Indiana 2004; and ICHHI’s legislative representative Lisa Travis. Registration for the conference costs $20. The deadline has been extended, but you should reserve a space as soon as possible by downloading a registration form and by contacting Lisa Travis at 317-636-8819 or at ltravis@ichhi.org.