The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-01-11
Most important Accom-
plishment Of Activities
Is Administering Old
Age Assistance
Especial to The Citinen)


JACKSONVILLE, Jan. IL
Fiorida's year-old welfare pro-
gram has achieved progress along
many important lines, according
to an informal report just made
public by Conrad Van Hyning,
Commissioner of the State Board
of Social Welfare.
The most important accom-
Plishment of the State and district
boards was that of security APP
prevail for administering the old
age assistance program. under
provisions of the Social Security
Az, he said.
Assistance to aged persons in
need on a regular monthly allow
anee basis began in Florida on
October /. More than 1000
needy persons over seventy are
now receiving monthly assistance
payments ranging up to $40 a
month from funds supplied jointly
by the State and Federal govern
ments, the report showed. The
States share of these funds is be-
ing supplied by appropriations
from each of the 81 counties in
Florida.
Succeed In Task
"The district boards and staff
members succeeded in the almost
impossible task Of securing s,uai-.
form appropriations based upon
the number of eligibles from each
of the countless" Mr.. Van Hyn-
ing declared. Members of the
State Board and their staff ac-
complished similarly difficult
task in negotiating with the So
cial Security Board to secure APP
prevail of the Florida plan for adj
ministration of old age assistance.
Florida's plan is unique in that it
combines State administration
with county financed program"
The Commissioner called the
work of the district board men,
bers and their stats "highly COM
mendable". "Their work has de-
veloped community interests and
understanding which is perhaps
the most valuable result of all.
Welfare work cuts across so many
fields, and is so much the respon-
sibility, and so close to the in
terest Of all persons. that its di-
rection is good only when a seri-
Gus and responsible group of citi-
zens are in charge"
Much Aid Given ats. sr
Another important function of
the welfare board has been the
distribution of Federal surplus
commodities to approximately 40
600 needy families in the State.
In addition, many thousand of
children have been given school
lunches, and many more thous-
and have secured clothing made in
WPA sewing rooms through the
district boards, according to the
report.
"Of particular interest to the
future welfare of Florida, was
the development during the past
year, of Rural Child Welfare Serv-
ices through cooperation with the
United States Children's Bureau,
the report said. 'Florida's plan
for four rural demonstration CEN
tiers and two training units was
approved early last spring. The
Federal contribution for this work
amounts to $4,000 a year and is
used for administrative costs of
these welfare units. Each of the
counties in which child welfare
demonstration centers are located
made contributions varying from
$1,000 to $4,000 to provide for
children's care. In the rural CEN
tiers the best method of child vel
fare work are being demonstrated.
In the training centers Florida
girls with come experience in So
eial work are being given extra
training in child welfare 50 that
they will be equipped to enter this
field permanently"
Other Matters
Other accomplishments of the
year were listed as follows:
Dissemination of information
and educational material on be-
(Continued on page Fourl