Until two years ago, when it hired a black woman as the town's welfare director, there were no blacks among East Haven's 570 municipal and school employees.

Mr. Garcia, the welfare director, said he had 2,700 people, 70 percent of those eligible, on workfare last month.

Annette Ward, the city's welfare director, said the number of homeless people ranges from 40 to 60.

Local welfare directors, who understand their communities and residents, do not trust the state to deal properly with clients.

We also occasionally send letters on new policy initiatives directly to the welfare directors in the States or to the governors of the States.

Rose Masure, the welfare director in Maine, said: "The credit is a reward or recognition for something we've already done.

James M. Hmurovich, the welfare director in Indiana, said, "There is no national public assistance computer network."

Don Winstead, the welfare director in Florida, said states must be allowed to "complete the job of welfare reform."

Joel Potts, the welfare director in Ohio, said that nearly 75 percent of Ohio's welfare money was spent on cash assistance before 1996.

Hudson County's welfare director, Carol Ann Wilson, has instructed her staff not to turn in illegal immigrants.