Wilson Praises California Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Technology Certification Program and Riverside County Gain Program for Winning 1996 Innovations in Government Award

For Immediate Release
Contact: Communications Office (916) 324-9670
December 3, 1996

555 Capitol Mall, Suite 525
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 324-9670
FAX (916) 445-5563

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE DISTRIBUTED BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.  SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RELEASE, PLEASE CONTACT MR. DAN PELLISSIER, CAL/EPA'S COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, AT (916) 324-9670; OR CALL THE CONTACT NUMBER AT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE LISTED BELOW.

Wilson Praises California Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Technology Certification Program and Riverside County Gain Program for Winning 1996 Innovations in Government Award

SACRAMENTO - Governor Pete Wilson today praised the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal-EPA) and the Riverside County Greater Avenues' to Independence (GAIN) program for winning the prestigious Innovations in Government Award, to be presented at a Washington, D.C. ceremony tonight.

"These awards prove once again that California is truly a leader in government reform," said Wilson. "Cal-EPA and the Riverside County GAIN Program have made significant strides
in solving two of our most difficult challenges - speeding environmental improvement and reducing welfare dependence. These are two shining examples  of our ongoing efforts to make government more streamlined and more effective."

"The Environmental Technology Certification Program - conceived by the private sector and implemented in partnership with government - is a perfect marriage between the environment and the economy," said Wilson. "Accelerating the development and use of critical environmental technologies not only improves California's environment more quickly, but also helps the State's $20 billion environmental business sector grow."

The Environmental Technology Certification Program, established by Cal-EPA in 1993, works with the private sector to advance the development and marketing of new pollution prevention and cleanup products. The program accelerates the deployment of emerging technologies by certifying their effectiveness and increasing awareness of their availability.

"During its ten year history, the Riverside County GAIN Program has helped thousands of people move from welfare rolls to payrolls," said Wilson.   "GAIN's 'work first' approach and employment focus is a model for California and the rest of the nation to follow as we reform our welfare system."

The Riverside County GAIN Program has produced impressive results in obtaining employment for recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC).  A distinctive part of this "work first" Program is the concept the employment is extremely important and should be obtained quickly. From July 1993 to June 1996, job placements in Riverside increased by 112 percent and AFDC grant terminations increased by 178 percent.

Considered to be among the most prestigious public service honors, the Innovations Awards recognize governmental initiatives that provide creative solutions to pressing social and economic problems. The ten year old program is sponsored by the Ford Foundation and is administered by the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

For more information about Environmental Technology Certification Program, contact Dan Pellissier at Cal-EPA (916) 324-9670. For more information about the GAIN program, contact Corinne Chee at the California Department of Social Services (916)657-2268.

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