DIRECTIVE	:	TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 04-98
TO	:	ALL STATE WELFARE-TO-WORK CONTACTS ALL STATE JTPA LIAISONS
FROM	:	DAVID HENSON Director Office of Regional Management
SUBJECT	:	HHS/DOL Welfare Reform: Promising Practices National Conferences

1. Purpose. To announce the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)/Department of Labor (DOL) Welfare Reform Promising Practices National Conferences.

2. Background. HHS and DOL are convening a series of conferences to share with other welfare reform stakeholders an informational "road map" on how to succeed in moving welfare families to self-sufficiency. The information presented will be based on research and evaluation findings and will include models of promising practices for helping families move from welfare to work. These meetings will also be a vehicle to discuss organizational change in an effort to foster the transformation of State agencies and other institutions serving welfare recipients.

3. Conferences. Promising Practices Conferences are currently scheduled for the following dates and locations:

   September 16-18, 1998

   Renaissance Denver Hotel
   3108 Quebec Street
   Denver, CO 80207

   October 27-29, 1998

   The Westin Atlanta Airport
   4736 Best Road
   College Park, GA 30337

   November 4-6, 1998

   The Sheraton San Marcos
   One San Marcos Place
   Chandler, AZ 85224

4. Audience. The conference is designed for welfare reform and welfare-to-work practitioners; stakeholders including representatives from Federal, State, and local agencies (e.g., welfare, food stamps, transportation, labor, mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, child care, child support enforcement, housing, legislators, executive branches); workforce development representatives (JTPA/PIC/SDA/ES/etc.); community-based organizations; educational organizations; faith-based organizations; Chambers of Commerce; advocacy groups; the business community (employers) and service providers (e.g., child care, mental health/substance abuse, domestic violence).

5. Registration. Conference announcements and registration forms have been mailed to all stakeholders. Registration for the conference is $150.00 per person. The deadline for the early registration fee for all conferences is August 17, 1998. After August 17, the registration fee will be $200.00 per person.

6. Action. States are asked to encourage the participation of State and local stakeholders, particularly on behalf of State formula and competitive grantees in their jurisdiction. States may also share this information on the conference with other appropriate State officials interested in welfare reform, welfare-to-work, and workforce development issues.

7. Inquiries. Please contact your ETA Regional Office for further information regarding these conferences. The ETA Welfare-to-Work home page (http://wtw.doleta.gov) will also have up-to-date information about the conferences.

8. Attachment. Conference brochure including a registration form.

NOTE: Attachment not available to DMS