Department of Workforce Development

TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
State of Wisconsin

For Immediate Release - October 5, 1998
Contact: David Blaska (608) 266-6925

GOVERNOR TAPS NATIONAL EXPERTS TO HELP EVALUATE W-2

Madison - Gov. Tommy G. Thompson today appointed an independent committee of national experts to help guide the design and methodology for the evaluation of Wisconsin Works, the state's welfare-to-work program.

The governor appointed eleven nationally recognized experts in welfare, poverty, and family development to be a sounding board for the development of a comprehensive package of evaluations. The diverse appointees were drawn from some of the nation's most respected academic institutions, foundations, and policy think tanks. Their first formal meeting will occur in November.

"W-2 is succeeding beyond all expectations. Ours was the first welfare-to-work program in the nation and it remains a model for other states." Gov. Thompson said. "We know we've got a good program, and these experts will help us make it even better."

This National Technical Advisory Committee is a part of the Wisconsin Works Management and Evaluation Project. The evaluation project is directed by a steering committee chaired by J. Jean Rogers, an architect of W-2 and its chief administrator. Ms. Rogers and the Management and Evaluation Project report to Linda Stewart, secretary of the Department of Workforce Development.

"This is the most comprehensive and innovative evaluation effort in the history of welfare reform. No other state has established anything like it," the governor added.

The Hudson Institute of Indianapolis and the UW-Madison School of Business provide administrative support. The Hudson Institute also provides technical support.

Named to the committee are:

• Eugene Bardach, Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California at Berkeley.
• Henry E. Brady, Survey Research Center, Berkeley, California.
• George Cave, Child Trends Inc., Washington, D.C.
• Anna Kondratas, The Urban Institute, Washington, D.C.
• Larry Martin, Department of Administration, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
• Rebecca Maynard, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
• Lawrence M. Mead, Department of Politics, New York University.
• Ronald Mincy, The Ford Foundation, New York, N.Y.
• Demetra Nightingale, The Urban Institute, Washington, D.C.
• John Weicher, Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C.
• Michael Wiseman, The Urban Institute, Washington, D.C.