mh/welfare.pr       97-194              Contact:  Mary Anderson, 301-217-1702

COUNTY ENTERS NEGOTIATION
WITH TWO ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE
WELFARE REFORM EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES                           For Immediate Release:  June 18, 1997


     Montgomery County officials announced today that the Department of Health and
Human Services will begin negotiations with the Maryland State Department of Labor &
Licensing Regulations, and Maximus, Inc. of McLean, Va. to provide marketing, job
readiness/preparation and placement services for County residents who are currently receiving
Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) and Food Stamps.  The job services are a major
component of the County's overall plan to help welfare recipients obtain and retain jobs and
become financially self-sufficient.
        The two organizations were selected from a group of six that responded to the County's
request for proposals (RFP) to provide services for welfare recipients in four areas: marketing
and job development; job assessment, search and job readiness/preparation services; work
experience, on-the-job training and permanent job placement; and post-employment and job
placement follow-up services.  
     Based on the State's RFP presentation, Montgomery County will begin to negotiate
with the Department of Labor & Licensing Regulations to provide marketing and job
development, along with post-employment and job-placement follow up services.  The County
will also negotiate with Maximus, Inc. to provide assessment, job search and job 
                                  -more-

WELFARE JOB SERVICES                                   2-2-2-2

readiness/preparation services; as well as work experience, on-the-job training and permanent
job placement.
     In Montgomery County, there are currently 2,100 adults receiving Temporary Cash
Assistance and 300 adults receiving food stamps who are required to participate in a work
activity.  Since 19 __, Montgomery County's welfare roll has been reduced by __ percent.
      Moving people from welfare programs to work is clearly a partnership between
government and the private sector,  said Charles L. Short, director of the Department of
Health and Human Services,  This process has clearly been one of private and public support
in order to make it the best possible set of services available to help people make the
transition from welfare to work. 
     Negotiations are expected to begin immediately and services should begin on or about
August 1, 1997.
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