By Sara StrongRock County is in its first month of a new part of a reform in the welfare system. Many families that, in the past, would have gone on cash assistance will now participate in the Diversionary Work Program.It is a four-month, work-focused effort to help avoid long-term assistance.Pam Nelson, Financial Assistance Supervisor said, "The primary goal is to get families in unsubsidized employment quicker and address their issues faster."The new program forces most applicants to see an employment counselor before they get any cash assistance.The county will pay for their basic shelter needs directly to vendors, rather than the money going to people in the system.There is still a 60-month limit for cash assistance over a lifetime, no matter which state the cash benefits originated from. Eligibility for the four-month diversionary work program does not count toward that 60-month lifetime limit.The work program means applicants must work with an employment counselor to develop and sign an employment plan before they can receive any assistance.Activity in Rock CountyCaseloads are up in Rock County, as they are in many parts of the state and country.A big part of Rock County’s clients need health care and elderly or disabled assistance.There were 610 cases in the county during June. That’s compared to a 2003 average of 577. In 2002 the average cases per month were 469; in 2001 were 407; in 2000 were 379; in 1999 were 362.There is only one client in Rock County approaching the 60-month lifetime limit for cash assistance.