Urban Institute: Center on Labor, Human Services and Population

Training Tomorrow's Workforce : Community College and Apprenticeship as Collaborative Routes to Rewarding Careers

paffairs@urban.org ( Robert I. Lerman) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

Apprenticeships in the United States are preparing over 500,000 workers for careers. Although the U.S. apprenticeship system is small relative to those in other countries, it is highly successful in raising earnings and productivity. Can these benefits be incorporated into community college and other postsecondary settings? What is the current state of apprenticeship-community college collaboration and what steps can expand such collaborations? This paper examines these questions, capturing the diversity of apprentice-community college collaboration and areas in which the two systems do and do not interact.

Characteristics of the Community-Based Job Training Grant (CBJTG) Program

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

This is the first report from the evaluation of the Community-Based Job Training Grants (CBJTG) being conducted by the Urban Institute, with its partners Johns Hopkins University and Capital Research Corporation. The CBJTG program focuses on building the capacity of community colleges to provide training to workers for high-growth, high-demand industries. The evaluation began in July 2008 with the purpose of documenting the different models and projects that are operating with grant funds, examining and assessing the implementation of grant-funded projects, and identifying innovative features and promising strategies. This report is based on a review of proposals and reports from 211 grantees available through the end of 2008. The information provides a comprehensive picture of the grantee organizations and the activities planned for their CBJTG-funded projects.

Facing Our Future : Children in the Aftermath of Immigration Enforcement

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

This report examines the consequences of parental arrest, detention, and deportation on 190 children in 85 families in six locations, providing in-depth details on parent-child separations, economic hardships, and children's well-being. The contentious immigration debates around the country mostly revolve around illegal immigration. Less visible have been the 5.5 million children with unauthorized parents, almost three-quarters of whom are U.S.-born citizens. Over several years, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intensified enforcement activities through large-scale worksite arrests, home arrests, and arrests by local law enforcement. The report provides recommendations for stakeholders to mitigate the harmful effects of immigration enforcement on children.

Untangling the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act: Consequences for Children and Families

paffairs@urban.org ( Robin Koralek, Juan Pedroza, Randolph Capps) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

The Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act (House Bill 1804) went into effect on November 1, 2007. House Bill (HB) 1804, is among the most far-reaching of the anti-immigrant laws enacted at the state level and is composed of broad provisions that have the potential to affect all aspects of life in Oklahoma for unauthorized immigrants, including where they live, how they move from place to place, what services they receive from both public and private agencies, and how they are handled when they come into contact with the law enforcement system. The Urban Institute examined the effects of HB 1804 to better understand the implications of these provisions for immigrant families with children.

Public Expenditures on Children through 2008

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Key facts are highlighted from several Urban Institute and Brookings Institution reports on public expenditures on children through 2008. Findings reveal that spending on children increased under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and other stimulus spending, but not proportionately to other federal spending. As ARRA expires, spending on children is projected to decline, assuming no change in current policies. Results also show that states and localities spent more money than the federal government did on children in 2004, except when it came to the youngest children, and that overall public investment (local, state, and federal) increases as children get older.

Data Appendix to Kids' Share An Analysis of Federal Expenditures on Children through 2008

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Kids' Share: An Analysis of Federal Expenditures on Children through 2008, a third annual report, looks comprehensively at trends in federal spending and tax expenditures on children. This appendix details our data sources, the programs we include, and the methodology used to estimate the percentage of all expenditures that went to children.

Kids' Share: An Analysis of Federal Expenditures on Children through 2008

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST

The third annual report looks comprehensively at trends in federal spending and tax expenditures on children. Key findings suggest that historically children have not been a budget priority. In 2008, this trend continued, as children's spending accounted for less than one-tenth of federal outlays. Absent a policy change, children's spending will continue to be squeezed in the next decade.

How Well Have Middle Class American Families Accumulated Wealth? : Net Worth over the Life Cycle between 1989 and 2007

paffairs@urban.org ( Robert I. Lerman) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST

Many commentators have worried about the low savings rates and high debt levels of American families. Does this picture of unbridled consumption and low asset accumulation fit the American family? Did declines in 2008-2009 house prices, stocks, and bonds reinforce stagnating wealth or offset previous growth in wealth? Using data from the 1989, 1998, and 2007 Surveys of Consumer Finances (SCF) to replicate family experiences over the life cycle by following age cohorts, this fact sheet shows that from 1989 to 2007 American families were accumulating wealth at a healthy rate as individuals and families moved through their life cycle.

Expanding the EITC to Help More Low-Wage Workers

paffairs@urban.org ( Harry Holzer, Additional Authors) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

The case for expanding the EITC for workers without qualifying children is compelling, as the current EITC provides little help to this group. We argue that the EITC for these workers should: - provide these workers with a strong incentive to increase work effort; - provide a significant subsidy to low-earning workers working near a full-time work level; - begin phasing out only after an individual is working at a level at least equivalent to full-time minimum wage work; - apply to both prime-age and younger workers; and - be effectively coordinated with the Making Work Pay Credit.

Children of Immigrants: Immigration Trends

paffairs@urban.org ( Karina Fortuny, Ajay Chaudry) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

This fact sheet is the first in a series of publications on children of immigrants in the United States that updates the Urban Institute's May 2006 fact sheet that described the circumstances of these children in the early 2000s. The current fact sheet examines immigration trends and finds that children of immigrants are the fastest growing segment of the nation's children population - while the number of children of natives increased by 2.1 million between 1990 and 2007, children of immigrants grew by 8.1 million accounting for 77 percent of the growth of the U.S. children population during this time.

Are Families Prepared for Financial Emergencies?

paffairs@urban.org ( Caroline Ratcliffe, Katie Vinopal) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

Data from the 2007 Survey of Consumer Finances show a disturbing reality. Even prior to the current recession, many families did not have enough assets to see them through a modest spell of unemployment or another financial emergency. In 2007, nearly one in three U.S. families were liquid asset poor. Low-income, young, and nonemployed families are more vulnerable to economic emergencies. For example, two-thirds (68 percent) of bottom income quintile families and 47 percent of second income quintile families are liquid asset poor, while such shortfalls affect only 1 percent of top income quintile families.

The Dynamics of Poverty in the United States: A Review of Data, Methods, and Findings

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

This paper reviews the literature on poverty dynamics in the United States. It surveys the most prevalent data, theories, and methods used to answer three key questions: How likely are people to enter, exit, and reenter poverty? How long do people remain in poverty? And what events are associated with entering and exiting poverty? The paper then analyzes the combined findings of the literature, discussing overarching patterns of poverty dynamics, differences among demographic groups, and how poverty probabilities, duration, and events have changed over time. We conclude with a discussion of the policy implications of these findings and avenues for future research.

Permanent Supportive Housing in the District of Columbia: Taking Stock and Looking Forward

paffairs@urban.org ( Martha R. Burt, Sam Hall) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

With the generous support of the William S. Abell Foundation, the Urban Institute (UI) surveyed District permanent supportive housing (PSH) agencies and specific PSH projects, asking their staff to detail current projects and future ambitions. This research brief is an analysis of the stock of PSH in the District as of early fall 2008, demographic information on PSH tenants at that time, and a look at how the District might move forward toward fulfilling its commitment to create 2,500 new units of PSH and ultimately eliminating chronic homelessness.

Vulnerable Youth and the Transition to Adulthood

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

This series examines youth vulnerability and risk-taking behaviors on several outcomes for young adults, using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1997 cohort. Notable results suggest youth follow one of four patterns in connecting to the labor market and school in the transition to adulthood: consistently-connected, later-connected, initially-connected, or never-connected. Second generation Latinos make a fairly smooth transition to young adulthood, but are less likely to engage in post-secondary schooling than whites. Youth from low-income families, distressed neighborhoods, and youth with poor mental health engage in relatively higher levels of adolescent risk behaviors and have relatively lower earnings and levels of connectedness in early adulthood.

The Effect of Alternative Savings Approaches on College Aid

paffairs@urban.org ( Elaine Maag) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

To pay for college, many low- and moderate-income students and their families rely on financial aid and savings. But how students and families saveand in whose nameaffects both the tax consequences and the impact of savings on financial aid. Not saving in a tax-preferred account can raise the out-of-pocket costs of college by thousands of dollars. Alternately, saving for college can result in tax penalties if families do not use tax-preferred savings for education.

Infants and Toddlers in State and Federal Budgets: Summary Report from Urban Institute Roundtable

paffairs@urban.org ( Rosa Maria Castaneda, Olivia Golden) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

This report summarizes the roundtable "Infants and Toddlers in State and Federal Budgets: Yesterday's Choices, Today's Decisions, Tomorrow's Options" conducted by the Urban Institute, with support from the A.L. Mailman Family Foundation, on March 30, 2009. The roundtable's focus grew out of the widely perceived mismatch between sharply limited public investments on infants and toddlers and an accumulated body of research demonstrating the significance of the earliest years of life. We describe the group's diverse perspectives and wide-ranging discussion of strategies to address this mismatch.

Fulfilling the Promise of Preschool for All : Insights into Issues Affecting Access for Selected Immigrant Groups in Chicago

paffairs@urban.org ( Gina Adams, Marla McDaniel) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST

The study involved interviews with families from Nigeria and Pakistan living on Chicago's North Side to examine their experiences and perspectives around accessing Illinois' universal preschool program, Preschool for All (PFA). Researchers conducted focus groups with parents and spoke with PFA providers for their perspective on issues families raised. The findings suggest Nigerian and Pakistani families can face numerous barriers accessing Preschool for All. While some barriers are unique to their immigration status, others are experienced by other low-income and vulnerable families as well. The report concludes with implications for policy and recommendations for future research.

Unemployment Compensation in a Worldwide Recession

paffairs@urban.org ( Wayne Vroman, Vera Brusentsev) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

This paper examines data on unemployment compensation programs across a sample of 150 large countries that account for 99 percent of the world's population. It documents recipiency rates and replacement rates in the 66 countries with UC programs. It makes comparisons of the degree of earnings loss protection in countries arranged by geographic area and by income level. Overall it finds that UC replaces 11.7 percent of the earnings losses caused by unemployment.

Promoting Economic Mobility By Increasing Postsecondary Education

paffairs@urban.org ( Ron Haskins, Harry Holzer, Robert I. Lerman) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

A college education strongly affects whether or not children from poor or low-income families move up the economic ladder when they become adults. But they are less likely to enroll in either two- or four-year colleges, and less likely to complete a degree when they do, relative to those from middle- and upper-income families even after accounting for differences in academic preparation. We review current federal efforts to help low-income students attend college, and recommend new policies that would improve their academic preparation, provide more effective guidance on selecting and paying for college, and improve retention and graduation rates.

The Benefits and Challenges of Registered Apprenticeship: The Sponsors' Perspective

paffairs@urban.org ( Robert I. Lerman, Lauren Eyster, Kate Chambers) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

This report analyzes a survey of a nationally representative sample of sponsors of registered apprenticeship programs. Commissioned by the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor, the survey includes questions about how sponsors (mainly employers) view their registered apprenticeship programs. The study analyzes these survey responses on the value, benefits, and drawbacks of registered apprenticeship, its integration with the workforce investment systems, apprentice completion and reasons for non-completion, and suggestions for possible improvement. In general, sponsors report highly positive attitudes about registered apprenticeship as a system for training their workforce.

Data Appendix to Federal Expenditures on Infants and Toddlers in 2007

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

Federal Expenditures on Infants and Toddlers in 2007 looks comprehensively at federal spending and tax expenditures targeted toward infants and toddlers. This appendix details our data sources, the programs we include, and the methodology used to estimate the percentage of federal expenditures that went to infants and toddlers in 2007.

Federal Expenditures on Infants and Toddlers in 2007

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

This report examines more than 100 programs through which the federal government spends money on children and calculates the amount spent on children under three. These first time expenditure estimates provide a place to start in gauging the priority the nation places on investing in very young children and in comparing expenditure patterns to researchers findings about investments that work. For example, despite extensive child development research underscoring the importance of quality early care and education programs for infants and toddlers, especially those in poverty, just 7 percent of federal funding for children between birth and age 2 went toward these efforts in 2007.

Federal Expenditures on Infants and Toddlers in 2007 Key Facts

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

Extensive research shows investing in very young children can help build a strong future workforce, improve children's educational success and health, and potentially reduce some of the social ills that drain the nations resources and will. What investments does the United States currently make in infants and toddlers?

Assisting Newcomers through Employment and Support Services : An Evaluation of the New Americans Centers Demonstration Project in Arkansas and Iowa

paffairs@urban.org ( Robin Koralek, Joanna Parnes) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) provided a three-year demonstration grant to Arkansas and Iowa to develop New Americans Centers (NACs) in high immigrant population areas. The purposes of the grant are to promote stability and rapid employment with living wages, speed the transition of new immigrants into communities, assist employers, and enhance local economic development opportunities. This paper is the first report in an ongoing Urban Institute evaluation of the NACs. It focuses on the initial implementation phase of the NACs, highlighting start-up and early operation as well as the types of services participants receive.

District of Columbia Forum on Housing Options for Frequent Users of Jail and Shelter: Presentation of Urban Institute Data Analysis

paffairs@urban.org ( Sam Hall) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Presentation at Reentry Housing Forum, "Reducing the Revolving Door of Incarceration and Homelessness in the District of Columbia." Gives information on the number of people using jail only; shelter only; jail and shelter; jail, shelter, and Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS); multiple spells in each, days in each, and a mental illness disability, for people using the D.C. Jail between October 1, 2004 and March 31, 2008, public emergency shelters between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2007, and FEMS between January 1 and August 31, 2008. It also presents costs to the three systems providing data.

Widening Effects of the Corporation for Supportive Housing's System-Change Efforts in Los Angeles, 20052008

paffairs@urban.org ( Martha R. Burt) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

This, the fourth evaluation report for this project, describes extensive developments in Los Angeles during 2007-2008 and how they build on earlier work. The pipeline for permanent supportive housing is expanding, as are activities to improve the health of homeless people, smooth the transition from jail to community, and address the needs of the most vulnerable homeless people. Numerous coordinating and collaborating structures have begun or are expanding as part of these developments. Cautious optimism is in order compared to four years ago, but there is still a long way to go.

Reducing the Revolving Door of Incarceration and Homelessness in the District of Columbia: Population Overlaps

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

As part of the Reentry Housing Forum, "Reducing the Revolving Door of Incarceration and Homelessness in the District of Columbia," this paper presents the number of days of jail and shelter and the number of responses by Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) for people using the D.C. Jail between October 1, 2004 and March 31, 2008, public emergency shelters between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2007, and FEMS between January 1 and August 31, 2008, as well as the cost of these services to District agencies.

Reducing the Revolving Door of Incarceration and Homelessness in the District of Columbia: Data Sources, Methods, and Limitations

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

As part of the Reentry Housing Forum, "Reducing the Revolving Door of Incarceration and Homelessness in the District of Columbia," this paper presents the number of people who used jail only; shelter only; jail and shelter; jail, shelter, and Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS); multiple spells in each, and a mental illness disability, for people using the D.C. Jail between October 1, 2004 and March 31, 2008, public emergency shelters between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2007, and FEMS between January 1 and August 31, 2008.

Reducing the Revolving Door of Incarceration and Homelessness in the District of Columbia: Availability of PSH for the Disabled Reentry Population

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

As part of the Reentry Housing Forum, "Reducing the Revolving Door of Incarceration and Homelessness in the District of Columbia," this paper reports the extent to which currently available permanent supportive housing serves ex-offenders, as well as the willingness of supportive housing providers to serve this population if appropriate supportive services are available.

Reducing the Revolving Door of Incarceration and Homelessness in the District of Columbia: Cost of Services

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Unemployment Insurance in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (HR1)

paffairs@urban.org ( Wayne Vroman) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

The economic stimulus bill enacted on February 17, 2009 has several provisions related to unemployment insurance (UI). Several governors have objected to some provisions. In this document, Senior Fellow Wayne Vroman, an economist and researcher on UI, answers key questions about the program changes.

The Minnesota Integrated Services Project : Final Report on an Initiative to Improve Outcomes for Hard-to-Employ Welfare Recipients

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Minnesota Integrated Services Projects focus on improving the delivery of employment, health, and social services to families who receive cash assistance and have serious or multiple barriers to employment. Operating in eight sites, the project seeks to provide comprehensive assessments of participants' barriers, improve access to more complete services that address multiple needs, and coordinate services provided by multiple service systems. This is the final report in an evaluation of the project and describes the changes in the economic outcomes and family-related outcomes of ISP participants over a two-year period, provides estimates of the relationship between ISP participation and participants' employment and MFIP outcomes, and provides conclusions and policy recommendations.

Improving Early Childhood Development Policies and Practices : Before the House Committee on Education and Labor, Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee

paffairs@urban.org ( Gina Adams) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

To improve early care and education, federal policymaking must focus on improving the quality of care for infants and toddlers, and for the children of working families, Gina Adams, an Urban Institute senior fellow, told the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. Strengthening the focus on quality in the existing Child Care and Development Block Grant is an important strategy to consider.

Unemployment Insurance: Current Situation and Potential Reforms

paffairs@urban.org ( Wayne Vroman) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

This short paper summarizes the current situation of state unemployment insurance (UI) programs in the United States. It describes benefit recipiency, UI trust fund balances and administrative financing. Policies are recommended to increase solvency of the trust funds, raise recipiency rates and to improve the adequacy of administrative funding.

Five Questions for Wayne Vroman

paffairs@urban.org ( Wayne Vroman) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Vroman recommended that Ohio raise unemployment taxes and freeze the maximum weekly jobless benefit to get its unemployment insurance (UI) program back on its feet. Like a number of other states, Ohio's unemployment trust fund is running out of money. While the recession has hastened insolvency in some UI programsunemployment claims rising while tax revenue fallsit isn't the sole cause. Reserves in Ohio and several other states have failed to grow with the economy for years. Vroman answers five questions about his recommendations and applicable lessons for all states.
Read the full interview

Unemployment Insurance during a Recession : Recession and Recovery, No. 2

paffairs@urban.org ( Margaret Simms, Daniel Kuehn) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

This brief, part of the Urban Institute's "Recession and Recover" series, examines how the Unemployment Insurance program responds during a recession and how that response may differ in the current recession from its response in the past.

Department of Health and Human Services: Improving Services for Children and Families

paffairs@urban.org ( Olivia Golden, Joan Lombardi) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

This chapter was part of an online effort by the Center for American Progress Action Fund and New Democracy Project to offer expert advice to the new administration as part of its Change for America book project (http://www.americanprogressaction.org/issues/2008/changeforamerica/additionalcontributions.html). Washingtons new leadership, its authors say, should build on the Administration for Children and Families assets and focus on the interrelated goals of promoting family economic security and promoting healthy child and youth development. These twin goals can best be achieved through new strategic investments, capacity building and innovative partnerships, coordination across offices and departments, and collaboration with states and the private sector.

Understanding the Consequences of Hurricane Katrina for ACF Service Populations : A Feasibility Assessment of Study Approaches

paffairs@urban.org ( Fredrica D. Kramer, Kenneth Finegold, Daniel Kuehn) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

This report is an analysis of alternative datasets and research approaches to assess the effects of Hurricane Katrina on populations served by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Administration for Children and Families (ACF). The assessment addresses four overarching research questions, with an emphasis on using existing datasets: 1) where did populations of interest go and where are they living since Katrina; what are the effects on income and employment; what are the needs for ACF programs and services; and how did the disaster affect ACF programs themselves? The report includes an extensive annotated bibliography of analyses through January 2007.

Workforce Development as an Antipoverty Strategy : What Do We Know? What Should We Do?

paffairs@urban.org ( Harry Holzer) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

In this paper I note the basic paradox of workforce development policy: that, in an era in which skills are more important than ever as determinants of labor market earnings, we spend fewer and fewer public (federal) dollars on workforce development over time. I present trends in funding and in program evolution over time for programs funded by the Department of Labor and others. I then review the cost-effectiveness of programs for adults and youth from the evaluation literature. I consider some other possible reasons for funding declines, and some newer developments in workforce policy, mostly at the state and local levels, before concluding with some policy recommendations.

Living Wage Laws : How Much Do (Can) They Matter?

paffairs@urban.org ( Harry Holzer) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

In this paper, I review what we have learned about living wage laws and their impacts on the wages, employment and poverty rates of low-wage workers. I review the characteristics of these laws, predictions from economic theory about their likely effects, and two bodies of empirical evidence: studies across cities or metropolitan areas and those within particular cities. I conclude that living wage laws have modestly raised wage levels of low wage workers and have reduced their employment at covered firms, but that the magnitudes of both effects are likely quite small, given how few workers are usually covered by these ordinances.

Five Questions for Rudolph G. Penner

paffairs@urban.org ( Rudolph G. Penner) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

Senior Fellow Rudolph Penner, former director of the Congressional Budget Office, sizes up the problems ahead and argues for fiscal reform. As baby boomers retire and health care costs keep rising, spending for Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security will grow faster than federal revenues, pushing the deficit to an unmanageable size. The solutionschanges in spending and tax policyare politically charged, but crucial and unavoidable.

The Integration of Immigrants and Their Families in Maryland : The Contributions of Immigrant Workers to the Economy

paffairs@urban.org ( Randolph Capps, Karina Fortuny) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

This report discusses the contribution of immigrants to Maryland's workforce, trends in the workforce between 2000 and 2006, and recommendations for educating and training immigrant workers. Rapid growth in the number and share of immigrant workers in the state do not appear to have come at the expense of native-born workers, who saw their labor force participation grow over this six year period. Maryland's immigrant workers are unusually diverse, highly educated and work in key skilled industries such as healthcare, information technology and the sciences.

Analysis of UI Benefits in Ohio

paffairs@urban.org ( Wayne Vroman) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

This report examines benefit payments in Ohios unemployment insurance (UI) program. The report compares average recipiency rates and replacement rates with national averages over the past four decades. It then reviews detailed aspects of benefit recipiency including monetary eligibility, first payment rates, benefit duration and replacement rates. The report identifies four areas where access to benefits could be broadened: reduced base period earnings requirements, enhanced eligibility for part-time workers, establishment of worksharing and establishment of self-employment assistance.

Solvency Recommendations for Ohio

paffairs@urban.org ( Wayne Vroman) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

This report examines the funding of unemployment insurance (UI) in Ohio. It proposes seven recommendations to improve program solvency, both in the short run and in the long run. The two main recommendations to improve short-run solvency are to: 1) implement a substantial increase in the taxable wage base and 2) institute a temporary freeze in weekly benefits, both recommendations to be effective in 2009. Indexation of the taxable wage base is a principal recommendation to improve solvency in the long-run.

Data Appendix to Kids' Share 2008

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Kids' Share 2008, a second annual report, looks comprehensively at trends in federal spending and tax expenditures on children. This appendix details our data sources, the programs we include, and the methodology used to estimate the percentage of all expenditures that went to children.

Kids' Share 2008: How Children Fare in the Federal Budget

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

Kids' Share 2008, a second annual report, looks comprehensively at trends in federal spending and tax expenditures on children. Key findings suggest that historically children have not been a budget priority. In 2007, this trend continued, as children's spending did not keep pace with GDP growth. Absent a policy change, children's spending will continue to be squeezed in the next decade.

Kids' Share 2008: Key Facts

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

Key Facts: Kids' Share 2008 summarizes findings from the Kids' Share 2008 report, which looks comprehensively at trends in federal spending and tax expenditures on children. Key findings suggest that historically children have not been a budget priority. In 2007, this trend continued, as children's spending did not keep pace with GDP growth. Absent a policy change, children's spending will continue to be squeezed in the next decade.

The Community Partnership and the District of Columbia's Public Homeless Assistance System

paffairs@urban.org ( Martha R. Burt, Sam Hall) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

This report, the first of three completed under contract to the D.C. Department of Human Services to assess the District of Columbia's homeless assistance system, examines seven functions that The Community Partnership manages for the District. These include contracting for emergency shelter; orchestrating the District's Continuum of Care; managing and monitoring contracts between homeless service providers and DHS, HUD, and DHCD; quality assurance and program monitoring; rule setting related to provider and client rights and obligations; data collection and analysis; and performance standards and client outcomes. Findings feed into and helped shape the final recommendations offered in the second and third reports.

Transforming the District of Columbia's Public Homeless Assistance System

paffairs@urban.org ( Martha R. Burt, Sam Hall) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

This report is the second of three for our contract to assess the District of Columbia's homeless assistance system. It looks at the system as a whole, including the flow of people into and through the District's emergency shelter system, the overall structure of the system, and the ways that homelessness impacts D.C. government agencies and the programs they have for addressing it. One critical set of findings-that very few people account for a very large number of shelter days while most people coming in to shelter use very few system resource-leads to the major recommendations of our assessment.

Major Recommendations: Summary Report of the Urban Institute's Assessment of the District of Columbia's Public Homeless Assistance System

paffairs@urban.org ( Martha R. Burt, Sam Hall) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

This final report for our contract to assess the District of Columbia's homeless assistance system summarizes findings and presents major recommendations: (1) move chronically homeless people from shelters and streets into permanent supportive housing with appropriate supportive services, (2) create a process that prioritizes who gets the 2,500 new PSH units, (3) transform emergency shelters to use half the beds and specialize more, and (4) make the homeless management information system work as a tool to measure system progress by opening it and using better analytic techniques. The Mayor and Interagency Council are already making progress on the first two recommendations.