Recent articles by Jonathan Walters from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=87483677 Jonathan Walters is the Executive Editor of GOVERNING. He has been covering state and local public policy and administration for more than 30 years. Welfare's Not a Work Issue, It's a Wage Issue http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/col-welfares-not-work-issue-cato-wage-Issue.html A new conservative report claims welfare benefits disincentivizes people to work. Federal data, however, suggests that's not the case. New York Offers Volunteer Firefighters a Place to Retire http://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/gov-new-york-offers-firefighters-retirement-home.html Since 1895, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York has operated a home for volunteer firefighters. It’s the only home of its kind in the country. Agencies Taking a Second Look at Kinship Care http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/col-families-first-approach-foster-care.html In many children and families agencies, placing foster care children with their relatives was previously taboo. Why Critics of State and Federal Workplace Safety Systems Might be Right http://www.governing.com/topics/mgmt/gov-osha-critics-might-be-right.html The fatal explosion earlier this year at a Texas fertilizer plant that hadn’t been inspected since 1985 brought attention to the nation’s dysfunctional and ineffective system of keeping employees -- both in the public and private sectors -- safe. Is Jailing Deadbeat Dads Effective? http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/col-jailing-deadbeat-dads-effective-child-support-payments.html A new trend in the human services field suggests it isn't. Instead of punishing noncustodial parents, officials are trying to help them find and keep jobs. When Child Services and the Media Work Together http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/col-colorado-child-services-media-work-together.html The Colorado Department of Human Services and The Denver Post prove that the relationship between government and media doesn't have to be adversarial. Blunting the Politics of Public Assistance http://www.governing.com/columns/col-blunting-politics-public-assistance.html An initiative in six states seeks to stabilize the health and well-being of low-income families. Social Services: How to Get Out from Under Federal Oversight http://www.governing.com/columns/col-children-family-services-get-out-under-federal-oversight.html Children and family services agencies under federal oversight need to focus on what's best for families and kids -- not just on what's mandated. Flood-Prone Cities Try Disaster Planning on Their Own http://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/homeland-security-disasters/gov-flood-prone-cities-undertake-disaster-planning-solo.html Some places aren’t waiting for another Sandy. They're taking matters into their own hands. But what’s best for one city may not be best for the region. The Tenn. Dept. of Children's Services vs. the Media http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/col-tennessee-department-childrens-services-versus-media.html The agency is locked in a high-profile battle with the state's most prominent newspaper, which has questioned its reporting of child fatalities. Management Fads That Make a Difference http://www.governing.com/topics/mgmt/gov-mgmt-fads-that-make-differences.html New management tools are a dime a dozen and often just old strategies with fancy new names. But a few do make measurable differences. How Health Reform Could Improve Outcomes in Child Welfare http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/col-how-health-reform-could-improve-outcomes-child-welfare.html If human services officials want to take advantage of the Affordable Care Act, they need to get involved in its implementation now. New York Gov. Cuomo's Pension Proposal Puzzling http://www.governing.com/blogs/view/New-York-Gov-Cuomos-Pension-Proposal-Puzzling.html Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposal to let municipalities short their pension payments for the next quarter century uses fuzzy math, writes Governing's Jonathan Walters. Measuring Developmental Disabilities Services' Success http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/col-measuring-developmental-disabilities-services-success.html The National Core Indicators project helps states target human services spending to practices that work. Poverty Among Seniors Getting Harder to Ignore http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/gov-poverty-among-elderly-harder-to-ignore.html The gap between what seniors need to live on versus what they have might land squarely on state and local governments.