Fat little Wisconsin kids? How did you come up with that one? The free breakfast and yes, free lunches are meant to keep our future generations well nourished. Alot of these kids don't have food at home to eat so they eat at school. I personally thank the volunteers who manage this program. Sandman, maybe they could use your help. Then you can see the little ones who come to school in clothes from a rag bag, no hats, no mittens and fall coats in the winter. Shame on you for putting all our children into one category. I used to do in school suspension for Edison and Parker and it is pathetic. Sure, these kids got in trouble and ended up in my room, but most of them were very poor and just wanted attention! I had a girl who used to wear her uncles shoes to school and another girl whose mother was afraid to go out of the house, so this 7th grader did all the grocery shopping, etc. Having this breakfast program, even if it just helps one or two children, is worth every penny! Alot of little people suffer because of ignorant parents and ignorant people in general, it is not their fault. If a little person is overweight, so be it. What else do poor kids do besides sit around and watch TV. There is no money for them to be in any activities after school and the parents are probably out of shape also, setting a bad example. I guess what I am trying to say is it is people such as you that give Janesville a bad name. JMO

And many of those fat little WI kids aren't eating the free breakfasts and lunches that our tax dollars provide either! SO WHAT?

Why has Wisconsin become the golden land of benefit handouts among the states? Why is it that we are concerned about going to extremes in handing out and extending benefits to those who don't even ask for them.

"WISCONSIN WORKS"? Yes, about 65-70% of the residents do WORK to support 10-15% that are really in need (and those we don't begrudge the help) and another 15-20% who are pathetic, dependent, undeserving parasites who seem to have little problem finding money for alcohol, cigarettes, soda and junk food, and have little hope of successfully raising any of the children they've managed to spawn.

carlitosway: Huh? If you are addressing me, please re-read what I wrote. I read your latest post four times, and it does not seem to relate in any way to what I wrote. Please try again.

You might as well save your fingers from typing on a blog such as this. Janesville is full of self-centered individuals. Maybe some of the posters should volunteer at the House of Mercy or spend time at a school mentoring a child who isn't well off. The programs in this state and other states were put into place because of the need for them. They didn't get pulled out of a hat!!! Wisconsin Works is just the name of this program, it doesn't mean everyone in Wisconsin works, duh! It means they help you income wise if you follow their rules and job search or work (at below minimum wage mostly)! Show me even a family of just a man ane woman that can live on that wage and I will crown them king and queen for the day. Add in one or two children and you will never make it on those wages. Just because people have children does not mean they want state aid. You high and mighty posters need to get off of your high horses and have a little empathy for your fellow human beings. I would feel rotten if I had your attitude!!

supermouth The amount they get don't even compare to what they made before they lost their jobs and it is below poverty standards,it is not as some think If you want the whole program availability go ask at Job center what it takes to qualify. Some day all the ones who look down on and think they are above some of those who benifit from this, need to walk in their shoes. Losing my job and trying to retrain thru limited programs is not easy But I will do what it takes to get where I need to be. For your info i do not have minor children but i know the ones that do are humans just like the negative posters in here and not ONE of you are better then the next. JUST MY OPINION. Why not them?????????????

Mikki, very few people these days can truly afford to have children -- most struggle, even in the previously comfortable "middle class." I am not going to be shedding any tears for you, because everything was a zillion times easier before we had our one child. And my husband and I are both educated and I have a good job. I can see how people with less or with spouses who run out are in serious trouble.

bobb1951 is right -- huge companies are getting tons of taxpayer money, while people are left in desperate straits. It's crazy that some of the posts here are from people loony enough to begrudge crumbs to desperate individuals, but they don't get worked up about the corporate socialism through which billions of dollars of our tax money went to banks who now won't loan to businesses anyway, like we were told they would to justify the payments. The people who apply to W2 have to jump through a lot more hoops to get a lot less than the big corporations did. And I have just a sneaking suspicion that my tax bite is a little more than yours, 916WI, so I'm paying more of this tab than you are.

If you have enough money for savings you shouldn't be asking for assistance in the first place. There are hardworking people that can't afford to save a dime, and you're complaining that you can't get welfare and keep a savings account at the same time?
You also complain that pre-W2 you would get free education, well times change. Perhaps so many people heard about the free education that they used up all the money to be had. Again, lots of people would like to go to school, but since they brought children into the world, they choose to work to support them. NOT ask the state to pay them to go to school. Give me a break.
It's tough out there, and it makes me angry to hear people complaining that they can't get more freebies. The people who should be complaining are those without kids, because they didn't bring on a responsibility they couldn't afford.

Chelleandlou, you're not telling the whole story. They don't tell you "you don't qualify" for assistance because you're educated.

I am one of the 14,000 families. I lost my job in Feb 09 and spent 7 months job searching. Was I willing to do 30-40 hours a week to job search...in exchange for some monetary assistance...well? Duh Yeah! I was actively searching anyways! I was told I was not eligible to get w-2 assistance. Sure would have been nice not to spend half the year getting buried in debt. I by no means want to live off the state, but some help would be nice when life kicks you when you are down. Wisconsin works has some good points...but seems outweighed by the poor execution. This program was supposed to help get people off the "system" and keep them off....yet too many of its rules and regulations seem designed to keep the poor....well, poor. Like they want us the remain "needy"?!? What gives? Such as schooling for instance...you cannot receive any positive assistance for wanting to educate yourself to make more than fast food staff. In the past, preWW, you could get help with childcare for schooling....but no longer. :( When receiving assistance of any kind, you are not allowed to keep any savings, as soon as your income might increase...they adjust your food stamps or medical help so that you now have to pay more for those...so that you can't "get ahead" in any financial aspect. When it was actual Welfare...I was able to get off it. Paid my own med benefits through my employer, no foodstamps....life seemed good. Then I had a stumble, lost my job, had a new baby...got stuck having to ask for help again....and now almost a decade later I'm still stuck. Can I go to school to get some retraining or a new trade...not with any help this time around...no.

916WI, I agree, and all these people have computers, cell phones, cars, etc etc they are better off than Iam

family0f4 - that's right. Quit your job and get a WHEDA Neighborhood Advantage loan for a foreclosed home - it will be forgiven (dissappear) in 10 years, at which time you can go back to work - miles ahead.

something else the TAX payers have to hand out. Maybe I should quit my job.

Blah blah blah... The correct term is "misnomer".

A large part of the W-2 program is that the recipiants have to attend job training, apply for jobs and in some work jobs in the commuinity for job experience. My experience with families not applying for it are that they do not want to work and so they forgo the benefit because they would have to work or attend trainings. Participants also receive child care assistance to pay for child care for their children while they are fulfilling the requirements of the program. The number of hours they have to work or attend trainings etc each week is between 30-40. So, they have to work to get the money, if they don't work they don't get it. It also was required that the employer or teacher at the trainings, childcare etc sign a verification form for the county stating the times the person was there. This is how it has been in Rock County in the past.

I've requested assistance several times, but because I'm educated I don't qualify. W2 doesn't just hand over cash like they did with welfare.

casper, cardtrader, caritosway: You all seem to be missing the point, which is rather funny as I often disagree with 916WI, who said "The title of the program is somewhat ironic...."Wisconsin Works"--but the people that get the free money don't have to:)".
Let me spell it out for you! The people who get the free money DO NOT WORK. The name of the program is "WISCONSIN WORKS". Get it? The people getting the money do not (work), the name of the program says they do.
And why would anyone want "the kids and babies...to suffer"? What an asinine comment!
I have yet to meet a human being that wanted kids and babies to suffer. If you care to notice, people tend to feel a lot of empathy when a baby cries, or for that matter is in any state of discomfort, is agitated, worried or lonely.
Yet another failed government program. GAZETTE: I would be very interested to know how much money was spent on this program, and how much went to the intended recipients. Without this most relevant information, it is impossible to gauge the usefulness of this (or any other) government funded social program. And isn't that the real purpose, to help people?
The article states that "over 14,000 families who had dependent children in October 2009 and no income received food stamps, but did not get cash payments through Wisconsin Works".
This number is all but meaningless outside the context of the total number, i.e. WHAT PER CENT of the total number of families who had dependent children in October 2009 and no income received food stamps, but did not get cash payments through Wisconsin Works?????

I have absolutely no problem with people who paid into the system getting a helping hand when times get tough for them, but too many of these programs are set up to breed apathy and reward irresponsible decision making. I have a neighbor whose 20 year old granddaughter just had her second child. Father 1 is in and out of jail. Father 2, no one knows where he's at. She hasn't worked a day in her life and has no intention of doing so anytime soon. The state helps cover almost all of her expenses. Food, rent, medical assistance all paid for. So enter this program with five years of free money and then a good possibility to extend it out even further??? Seriously--five years???

It must be scarey when you lose your job. Wisconsin seems to have a nice assortment of state assistance so that the kids and babies will not have to suffer much - but the state should take the measures needed to be more accurate when determining eligibility - this should be a 'high priority' effort by the state.

916WI
You need to know all the facts. First of all its assistance. Second of all there is a lifetime maximum of 60 months that you can receive assistance unless you qualify for an extension. It allows individuals to gain skills they need to obtain employment. At least there is help for individuals who need it with kids. I have 4 and I wish I would have known about potential assistance way before now.

They have to do job searches and go to job center on a regular bases. Also without jobs, are the kids and babies suppose to suffer? The whole country is in a rut. Sometimes there has to be a program to help people until they can get on their feet. Like alot of us now without jobs and unemployement running out, it gets a little scary and I just hope this year picks up and gets those out there in the same boat as me and many many others back on our feet.

916WI what are you trying to say ?

The title of the program is somewhat ironic...."Wisconsin Works"--but the people that get the free money don't have to:)