COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Ohio officials have asked the federal government for more flexibility in the work requirements that some welfare recipients must meet.
Gov. John Kasich’s (KAY-siks) administration says certain federal rules don’t give people enough time to complete vocational training or job-readiness activities.
For instance, state officials want to increase a limit on vocational education training from 12 months to 36.
The Kasich administration says training for a number of in-demand jobs exceeds 12 months, with at least five semesters of courses required to become a paralegal or dental hygienist.
The request comes as Kasich’s administration seeks to better help needy families move off public assistance and into sustainable jobs.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says the agency is reviewing Ohio’s request, made in October.