Welfare has essentially ended.  In its place are a number of loosely structured mandates and directives that must be pieced together.  States were to begin submitting their welfare reform plans to the federal government on July 1, 1997.  Neither Missouri nor Kansas approved a broad-based welfare reform measure during the 1997 general legislative sessions, but lawmakers did agree on some issues relating to the federal law.  The remarks presented here reflect the ideas, views and opinions of speakers attending a recent seminar - they do not necessarily represent the views, ideas and opinions of The Forum for Early Childhood Organization and Leadership Development, Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, L.P. Cookingham Institute of Public Affairs, Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration, or the University of Missouri-Kansas City.