Urban Institute: Center on Labor, Human Services and Population

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.

The Challenges of Prisoner Reentry: Facts and Figures

paffairs@urban.org ( Daniel Kuehn) — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

This fact sheet points out the main challenges former jail and prison inmates have in returning to society. The consequences of their employment problems and recidivism are experienced not just by the former inmates but also by their families, which are predominantly low-income and include over 3 million children.

Unemployment and Unemployment Protection in Transition

paffairs@urban.org ( Vera Brusentsev, Wayne Vroman) — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

This paper examines developments in aggregate income and the labor market of the 28 countries from Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union (CEE-FSU) in the period from 1990 to 2006. Income, employment, unemployment and labor market support services are examined in tabulations and time series regressions. Comparisons are made with developments in major countries from other regions of the world.

Child Care Voucher Programs: Provider Experiences in Five Counties

paffairs@urban.org ( Gina Adams, Monica Rohacek, Kathleen Snyder) — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Child care providers are a linchpin of the voucher subsidy system, yet little is known about how the system works for them. This comprehensive report examines the voucher experiences of child care centers and family child care homes in five counties in 200304. Using data from a survey of representative sample of providers and discussions with providers, caseworkers, and administrators, it examines provider experiences with key features of voucher systems and highlights policy strategies to help the system better meet their needs. It is part of the Urban Institutes Child Care Providers and the Child Care Voucher System project.

Child Care Vouchers and Unregulated Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care

paffairs@urban.org ( Kathleen Snyder, Sara Bernstein, Gina Adams) — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Many families receiving publicly-funded child care vouchers choose legally unregulated family, friend, and neighbors to care for their children while they work. This paper highlights the experiences of these providers with vouchers in selected communities in 2004. It presents findings from interviews with subsidy agency staff and administrators and focus groups with unregulated providers. It examines the voucher subsidy policies developed for these caregivers in these sites, and how both agency staff and providers perceive these policies and experience working together. The paper is part of the Urban Institutes Child Care Providers and the Child Care Voucher System project.

Child Care Centers, Child Care Vouchers, and Faith-Based Organizations

paffairs@urban.org ( Monica Rohacek, Gina Adams, Kathleen Snyder) — Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

Faith-based providers are key in delivering child care services overall and for children receiving child care vouchers, though data are scarce in this area. Using data from a survey of a representative sample of centers and site visits in five counties in 2003-4, this report examines the role of faith-based organizations in center-based child care, the extent to which centers affiliated with faith-based organizations care for children receiving vouchers, and whether such providers face barriers to working with the voucher system. The paper is part of the Urban Institutes Child Care Providers and the Child Care Voucher System project.

Hilton Foundation Project to End Homelessness for People with Mental Illness in Los Angeles : Changes in Homelessness, Supportive Housing, and Tenant Characteristics Since 2005

paffairs@urban.org ( Martha R. Burt) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

In 2005, the Hilton Foundation gave CSH a five-year grant to launch an initiative in Los Angeles County to reduce the number of long-term homeless people, with a special focus on people with serious mental illness. The Urban Institute, which is evaluating the grant's impact, did a baseline assessment of homelessness and permanent supportive housing in 2005. A 2007 report assessed the policy and system changes that, working with others, CSH efforts had stimulated by that time. This report documents two-year changes in the level of homelessness in Los Angeles and the availability and characteristics of PSH availability. A second policy report will be available in fall 2008.

An Economic Framework and Selected Proposals for Demonstrations Aimed At Strengthening Marriage, Employment, and Family Functioning Outcomes

paffairs@urban.org ( Robert I. Lerman, Gregory Acs, Anupa Bir) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

The increasing recognition of the importance of marriage for the social and economic well-being of children has led to demonstrations aimed at strengthening and stimulating healthy marriages. The next step is to ensure that factors closely linked with healthy marriages are addressed as well. This paper brings together research findings and policy ideas about the interactions between marriage, employment, and family functioning. It presents a framework and proposes several demonstrations aimed at improving employment and family outcomes for disadvantaged populations. The appendix reviews an extensive body of research on specific linkages between marriage, employment, and family functioning.

Coming of Age: Employment Outcomes for Youth Who Age Out of Foster Care Through Their Middle Twenties

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

This study examines employment outcomes for youth who age out of foster care through their middle twenties in three states: California, Minnesota, and North Carolina. The study linked child welfare, Unemployment Insurance (UI), and public assistance administrative data to assess outcomes. Results suggest that youth who age out of foster care continue to experience poor employment outcomes at age 24 and generally follow one of four employment trajectories as they transition to adulthood.