In 1971, the General Assembly became concerned over the direction of welfare programs and expressed this concern by the adoption of House Joint Resolution No. 29 calling for a thoughtful study of the welfare system in the Commonwealth. This study was to determine what changes were to be made to strengthen the programs of public welfare and make these programs accountable to the people of the State. Because it was not possible to complete this study at its 1972 Session, the General Assembly of Virginia, by House Joint Resolution No. 51, directed the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council to make a study of the public welfare system and the financing of public welfare programs.

The Council selected Senator James C. Turk, of Radford, a member of the Senate of Virginia and a member of the Council, to serve as Chairman of the Committee to make the initial study and report to the Council. Senator Turk later resigned from the Senate during the course of study and consequently participated no longer in the deliberations of the Commission. Senator Joseph V. Gartlan, Jr., of Fairfax, a member of the Senate of Virginia and a member of the Council, was appointed Chairman of the Committee by the Council to fill the vacancy created by Senator Turk's resignation. Selected to serve as members of the Committee with Senator Gartlan were Senator Howard P. Anderson of Halifax, Delegate Wyatt B. Durrette, "Jr., of Vienna, Mr. Ray C. Goodwin of Arlington, Dr. Edward W. Gregory, Jr., and The Reverend Carl L. Howard of Richmond, Delegate Thomas J. Michie, Jr., of Charlottesville, Mrs. Maude B. Shelor of Floyd, Delegate Frank M. Slayton of South Boston, Senator William A. Truban of Shenandoah, Senator Charles L. Waddell of Loudoun, and Senator Lawrence Douglas Wilder of Richmond.

The Committee organized and elected the Honorable Thomas J. Michie, Jr., Vice Chairman.

Early in its deliberations, the Committee concluded that, whatever the difficulties created by federal laws and administrative regulations in the efficiency and accountability of welfare administration, State laws, regulations and administrative policies presented ample opportunities for improvement in the public welfare system.

Unlike other similar studies, the Committee began to work with the Director of the Department of Welfare and Institutions and his staff to implement those changes which could be accomplished administratively and that would restore credibility to welfare administration in Virginia.

In keeping with the approach of seeking the involvement of those in the field, the Committee decided to create six special task forces composed of administrative and supervisory experts from local welfare departments around the State. These task force participants represented the geographical and population characteristics of the State, from rural Southside and Southwest to the urbanizing metropolitan areas of Virginia.

The Virginia Advisory Legislative Council and the Division of Legislative Services made staff and facilities available to carry out this study; they assigned the necessary employees to assist the individual members and the study group at all times. Mr. Robert W. Bendall was assigned by the Division of Legislative Services to serve as Committee Counsel.