94 STATION BULLETIN 346 



have encouraged these local units to participate in work relief pro- 

 grams by borrowing money to repair and construct highways and 

 public buildings, and to participate in miscellaneous projects. Most 

 of this type of relief has been particularly acceptable because of the 

 comparatively large contributions by the federal government. 



The present state department of public welfare was created by an 

 act of the legislature in 1937. ^"^ The board of public welfare consists 

 of three members appointed by the governor and council. The gover- 

 nor designates the chairman, and the board appoints a commissioner 

 who is the executive and administrative officer of the department. 

 Authority is granted the board to make the necessary rules and regu- 

 lations which, when applicable, are binding upon counties and towns. 

 Furthermore, it is their duty to determine the number of necessary 

 employees in all administrative units (state, county, and town) for the 

 administration of old age assistance, aid to dependent children, and 

 aid to the blind. Other general duties of the board are defined in the 

 statutes as follows : 



Develop plans to provide assistance to needy aged, blind, tubercu- 

 lous persons and dependent children; administer or supervise the 

 administration of these activities, the activities of the state's veteran 

 ofiicer, child welfare services, social service index and other activities 

 hereinafter mentioned. 65 



The necessary expenditures of the board are met from the public 

 assistance fund established in the state treasury from funds made 

 available by federal, state, and local governments. This fund is divid- 

 ed into separate accounts as follows : 



1. Aid to the aged. 



2. Blind assistance and service. 



3. Aid to dependent children. 



4. Child welfare services. 



5. Aid to tuberculous persons. 



6. Assistance to the deaf. ^^ 



7. Administration and service. 



The federal government contributes approximately one-half 

 (within specified limits) of aid to the aged, of aid to the needy blind, 

 and of aid to dependent children. Counties and towns reimburse the 

 public assistance fund for 25 percent of all assistance granted the 

 aged by the state. The state's share, therefore, is 25 percent of aid 

 to the aged, 50 percent of aid to the needy blind, and 50 percent of 

 aid to dependent children. 



Needy people are eligible for old age assistance if they are 65 

 years 67 of age, if they are citizens of the United States, and if thev 

 are not m need of institutional care. Aid to the needv blind is avail- 

 able to those whose vision is so defective as to prevent the perform- 



« Session Laws, 1937. Chapter 202. Revised Laws, 1941, Chapter 126. 



7,5."^'°" ^^^^ °^ ^^^^' Chapter 8. Section S. Revised Laws, 1941, Chapter 126; Section 6, 



Education of the deaf is a function of the . state department of education,. 

 '■Revised Laws. 1941, Chapter 126. 



