*    Poverty reduction must be made an explicit goal. *    There must be improved opportunities for education and training. Work requirements *        should not interfere with the education or training a person needs for a viable future. *    Time limits need to be eased, disability and mental illness need to be recognized as specific *        hardships some clients face in achieving self-sufficiency, and funding for child care and *        other support measures needs to be sufficient. *    TANF funding must be indexed to keep up with inflation. *  There is a great deal of talk about increasing work requirements in any TANF reauthorization. Any increase in work requirements has to be offset by guaranteed funding for increased child care, exemptions for mothers of very young children, and protection for the mentally ill and disabled. * We can make a difference in the reauthorization of TANF if we take the time to make our voices heard. It was through determined advocacy that Congress recently made significant improvements in the food stamp program, improvements for which advocates have been fighting for years. If we make it clear to our senators what we want to see in TANF reauthorization, they will not ignore us. *    *        Thank you for your efforts to give a voice to those who have no voice in our society! *    *    Sincerely Yours, *    Mark Hallinan, S.J. *    Assistant for Social Ministries In New York:    The Honorable Hillary Clinton    United States Senate 476 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C.  20510-3204 The Honorable Charles Schumer United States Senate 313 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C.  20510-3203        *    *    In New Jersey: *    The Honorable Jon Corzine *    United States Senate *    502 Hart Senate Office Building *    Washington, D.C.  20510-3004 *    *    The Honorable Robert Torricelli *    United States Senate *    113 Dirksen Senate Office Building *    Washington, D.C.  20510-3003