Urban Institute: Welfare

Academic Perspectives on the Future of Public Housing : Before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity

paffairs@urban.org ( Susan J. Popkin ) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

Many policy makers and scholars regard the HOPE VI Program as one of the nation's most successful urban redevelopment programs (c.f. Katz 2009; Cisneros 2009). But despite its very real accomplishments, the HOPE VI program's record in meeting the needs of the original residents who endured the worst consequences of the failures of public housing is mixed. With its proposed "Choice Neighborhoods" initiative, the Obama administration has the opportunity to build on the experiences of nearly two decades of experience with HOPE VI. Incorporating intensive case management and permanent supportive housing for the most vulnerable into Choice Neighborhoods and any other comprehensive redevelopment efforts is one way to ensure that these initiatives truly meet the needs of all public housing families.

Rich with Insights on Child Welfare, New Book Maps Out Organizational Change and Children's Policy Reforms

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST

As the director of the District of Columbia's Child and Family Services Agency, Olivia Golden led the turnaround of a troubled system. In her new book, Reforming Child Welfare, she draws on her expertise as a senior federal official, local administrator, and an academic to map out strategies for improving and revitalizing the last safety net for vulnerable children and families, the public child welfare system.

A National Commitment to Ending Homelessness among Veterans - Why Affordable Housing Programs Matter : Testimony before the U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

paffairs@urban.org ( Mary K. Cunningham ) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

In this testimony, Mary Cunningham discusses different housing-based interventions that policymakers could adopt to end homelessness among veterans. Increasing HUD-VASH vouchers and tightly targeting them to high need veterans, as well as increasing rapid rehousing programs and affordable housing programs for low-income veterans who are homeless primarily for economic reasons are discussed.

Reject proposal to end welfare

paffairs@urban.org ( Olivia Golden, Sheila R. Zedlewski ) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

In this commentary for The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, Calif.), Olivia Golden and Sheila Zedlewski advise states to grab the federal dollars offered by the economic stimulus package to help pay for recession-driven increases in the demand for welfare.

The Stimulus and Poverty: A Role for Foundations in Seizing the Moment : How Foundations Can Help the Stimulus Reach Low-Income Families

paffairs@urban.org ( Olivia Golden ) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST

In this commentary for SpotlightOnPoverty.org, Institute Fellow Olivia Golden lays out five strategic investments foundations can make to sustain the economic stimulus package's positive outcomes for low-income families.

Disabilities Among TANF Recipients: Evidence from the NHIS

paffairs@urban.org ( Pamela J. Loprest, Elaine Maag ) — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 EST

This project uses data from the 2005/2006 National Health Interview Survey to provide a profile of the prevalence of different types of disability and employment among TANF recipients. We find that prevalence of disability varies widely depending on the specific measure used. Using narrow and broad composite disability measures, anywhere from 10 to 40 percent of TANF recipients have a disability and almost one-fifth have a family member with a disability. Disability prevalence among Food Stamp recipients is similar to TANF but low-income mothers have lower prevalence on almost all measures. Employment among TANF recipients with disabilities is considerably lower than among recipients without disabilities.

Five Questions For Mary Cunningham

paffairs@urban.org ( Mary K. Cunningham ) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

Mary Cunningham, author of "Preventing and Ending HomelessnessNext Steps," answers five questions about how to combat homelessness. Evidence-based approaches have cut homelessness among chronically homeless single adults and new strategies are now being adopted to help homeless families. Investing in proven strategies is crucial as the economic crisis puts more people at risk of ending up in shelters and threatens to reverse the progress communities have made toward ending and preventing homelessness.

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.

The Stimulus Package (HR1) and Low-Income Families

paffairs@urban.org ( Margaret Simms ) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST

This speech, given at the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration, discusses how the stimulus package addresses the policy needs of low-income working families. It focuses on three questions: how it might reduce poverty in the short term; how it might help position service providers for addressing poverty in the long term; and what researchers can do to inform future policies in this area. Efforts are compared to the following goals: increasing wages, promoting job stability and upward mobility, and providing income supports when needed.

A New Minimum Benefit for Low Lifetime Earners

paffairs@urban.org ( Melissa Favreault ) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Despite working hard and playing by the rules over long periods, many workers end up poor in retirement. We propose an enhanced minimum benefit for Social Security that targets long-career workers with low lifetime earnings along with a modest credit that compensates workers for up to three years out of the labor market due to caregiving, unemployment, or poor health. By combining these elements, the proposal provides work incentives, yet recognizes realities facing low-wage workers, many of whom have had intermittent work careers. We show that these proposed enhancements would allow more adults to retire with a secure financial foothold.

Financial Hardship before and after Social Security's Eligibility Age

paffairs@urban.org ( Richard W. Johnson, Gordon Mermin ) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

Although poverty rates for Americans age 65 and older have plunged over the past half century, many people continue to fall into poverty as they approach 62, Social Security's early eligibility age. Among those who did not complete high school, hardship rates increase from 23 percent at age 52 to 54 to 31 percent at age 60 to 61, a relative increase of 36 percent. Hardship rates decline after age 62, when most people qualify for Social Security. These findings highlight the fragility of the income support system for Americans in their fifties and early sixties.

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.

A Safety Net For the Least Fortunate

paffairs@urban.org ( Peter Edelman, Mark Greenberg, Harry Holzer ) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

In this Washington Post commentary, Institute Fellow Harry Holzer suggests ways to help those most adversely affected by the economic downturnlow-income single mothers, disadvantaged adults, youths, and their families.

The Economic Recovery Package Will Help Poor Older Adults, but More Could Be Done

paffairs@urban.org ( Sheila R. Zedlewski ) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Older adults often are left out of policy conversations on poverty because many believe that relatively few of them experience economic hardship. Yet an updated measure of poverty indicates that the rate for adults ages 65 and older matches the rate for children. The Economic Recovery package under consideration includes some provisions that would benefit older adults, but more could be done. One-time payments for those receiving welfare and increases in food assistance benefits especially would help some poor older adults. Investments in the job skills of those who want to work should also be considered.

Preventing and Ending Homelessness-Next Steps

paffairs@urban.org ( Mary K. Cunningham ) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Across the country, communities are working to end homelessness by investing in Housing First approaches that help families and single adults get back into permanent housing. Until recently, many of these communities were reducing homelessness. Today, the housing crisis and economic recession threatens progress and puts millions of Americans at risk of homelessness. Many expect the homeless numbers to swell-and some communities are already reporting sharp increases, particularly among families. This brief examines the current state of homelessness, how community responses are changing, what is working, and, most important, what policymakers should be doing to move forward, not backward.

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.

Tailoring Assistance : How Antipoverty Policy Can Address Diverse Needs within the Poverty Population

paffairs@urban.org ( Margaret Simms ) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

Commentary to Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity

It has been said that we are entering a new era of government policy. If so, it could be an opportune time to belatedly heed the call of Dr. Martin Luther King and revamp our policies toward the poor. Over the past decade we have moved from a set of policies that provided cash assistance (mostly inadequate) to people who were in need (by standards set by the government) to one in which those who can work are expected to do so. In the process, we have ignored the fact that the poor are not a homogenous group of people, all of whom can and will work if they have no other means of support. They are, in fact, quite diverse. Recognizing this diversity is a necessary prerequisite for developing effective antipoverty policies.

Read the full commentary on the Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity web site.

Unemployment and Income in a Recession : Recession and Recovery, No. 1

paffairs@urban.org ( Gregory Acs ) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

This brief, part of the Urban Institute's "Recession and Recover" series, assesses how unemployment and household income changes as the economy moves through a recession and into recovery.

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.

The Role of Welfare during a Recession : Recession and Recovery, No. 3

paffairs@urban.org ( Sheila R. Zedlewski ) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

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

SNAP and the Recession : Recession and Recovery, No. 4

paffairs@urban.org ( Kenneth Finegold ) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

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

The Recession and the Earned Income Tax Credit : Recession and Recovery, No. 5

paffairs@urban.org ( Roberton Williams, Elaine Maag ) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

This brief, part of the Urban Institute's "Recession and Recover" series, assesses the extent to which the Earned Income Tax Credit can help families hit by job losses and falling incomes during a recession.

Health Coverage in a Recession : Recession and Recovery, No. 6

paffairs@urban.org ( Stan Dorn ) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

This brief, part of the Urban Institute's "Recession and Recover" series, examines how the Medicaid and SCHIP programs respond during a recession and how that response may differ in the current recession from their responses in the past. It also assesses the extent to which health insurance coverage may decline as unemployment rises.

Recession and Recovery: Facts and Forecasts

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Six new briefs from the nonpartisan Urban Institute show how Americans have fared during and after downturns since the 1970s, what might be ahead, and how government programs aid those in distress.

Low-Skill Jobs, Work Hours, and Paid Time Off : Brief No. 2

paffairs@urban.org ( Gregory Acs, Pamela J. Loprest ) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

This brief uses data from the 2007 Survey of Employers in the Low-Skill Labor Market to examine the scheduling demands employers place on workers recently hired to fill noncollege jobs and to assess the availability of paid time off, sick leave and other benefits that help workers balance their work and family lives.

Job Placement Agencies and the Low-Skill Labor Market : Brief No. 3

paffairs@urban.org ( Gregory Acs, Pamela J. Loprest ) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

This brief uses data from the 2007 Survey of Employers in the Low-Skill Labor Market to describe the role job placement agencies play in helping employers fill noncollege jobs.

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.

Federal Programs for Addressing Low-Income Housing Needs : A Policy Primer

paffairs@urban.org ( Margery Austin Turner, G. Thomas Kingsley ) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Housing costs constitute the single biggest expenditure in most family budgets, and many low-income families have difficulty finding housing they can reasonably afford. Although most family-strengthening and community change initiatives recognize the urgency of the housing problems facing low-income families, they often have difficulty figuring out how to constructively address them. Federal housing programs are numerous and confusing, implementation is balkanized, funding falls woefully short of needs, and policy debates often focus on narrow technical issues. This primer demystifies federal rental assistance programs and provides the most current information available on how many (and who) they serve and how their scale is changing. It also summarizes key challenges facing housing policy today and in the coming yearschallenges that may create opportunities for federal, state, and local engagement and innovation.

Policy Primer Demystifies Federal Afforable Housing Programs

paffairs@urban.org ( The Urban Institute ) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Although the ongoing foreclosure crisis has focused the nations attention on housing problems and policies, the struggles of renters have largely been overlooked. A new guide demystifies federal rental assistance programs, providing the latest information on who they serve and how their scale has changed, details on funding flows and federal-state-local-private responsibilities, explanations of how participants are selected, and overviews of challenges facing housing policy.

U.S. Intragenerational Economic Mobility From 1984 to 2004 : Trends and Implications

paffairs@urban.org ( Gregory Acs, Seth Zimmerman ) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

This report explores how Americans have moved up and down the income ladder over the last two decades, and whether it has been more difficult for Americans to get and stay ahead in the last decade. The report focuses on intragenerational mobility: how individuals change economic positions within their own lifetimes.

Three Considerations for Children's Savings Accounts

paffairs@urban.org ( Barbara Butrica ) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

A primary goal of children's savings accounts (CSAs) is to provide children, especially in low-income families, a strong economic footing. The ability to do that, however, depends on how CSAs are designed and how much families contribute. This study uses projections from the Urban Institute's DYNASIM model to estimate the wealth building impact of CSAs under alternative scenarios that vary the design features. The results highlight three points relevant for any asset-building proposal or program: incentives make a difference, targeting can be difficult, and nontaxability matters for all subsidies.

What Can We Expect from Children's Savings Accounts?

paffairs@urban.org ( Barbara Butrica ) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Children's savings accounts (CSAs) are being promoted to improve financial literacy, increase the number of low- to moderate-income households that are banked, and encourage saving for education, homeownership, or retirement. This study uses projections from the Urban Institute's DYNASIM model to estimate the wealth building impact of CSAs. The results suggest that most CSAs will have small balances after accounting for inflation. Still, such accounts could help get children, particularly those in low-income families, into financial instruments that demonstrate the value of saving and of compound interest.

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.

Impact of Rising Gas Prices on Below-Poverty Commuters

paffairs@urban.org ( Christopher Hayes ) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

While the increase in gas prices has increased costs for all commuters, workers from households whose income is below the federal poverty level pay a larger proportion of their income for gas. This fact sheet uses data from the 2006 American Community Survey to quantify the relative burden of gas use for commuting.

Workforce Development and the Disadvantaged : New Directions for 2009 and Beyond

paffairs@urban.org ( Harry Holzer ) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EST

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) officially expired in 2003 but has not yet been reauthorized. With a new administration and Congress due in 2009, what should they consider regarding workforce development and the disadvantaged population? This brief reviews the arguments for a workforce development system, examining both the strengths and weaknesses of the current WIA program. Among the proposals are expanded funding, and planning grants which states could use to target industries and sectors with unmet demands for skilled workers. They would then identify potential "pathways" for different groups of disadvantaged workers to meet those demands.

Food Stamps, Federalism, and Working Families

paffairs@urban.org ( Kenneth Finegold ) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

Food stamp benefits can provide an important supplement to the income of working families (families with children under 18 and earnings), who now make up nearly 40 percent of program participants. States can take advantage of Food Stamp Program policy options that increase eligibility and benefits. Seven policy options are particularly important for working families: more liberal vehicle rules, expanded categorical eligibility, transitional benefits for families leaving cash assistance, outreach, longer certification periods, reduced reporting requirements, and waivers of the required face-to-face interviews at recertification.

Q&A: New Income and Poverty Statistics and the Social Safety Net

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

The Census Bureau released its annual report on income, poverty, and health insurance coverage for the U.S. population on August 26, 2008. According to the report, median household income increased by 1.3 percent in 2007, while the overall poverty rate dipped slightly and the number and percentage of people without health insurance decreased. While the overall numbers were positive, not everyone shared in the economic gains. The number and percentage of children in poverty increased, and households in the lowest 40 percent of the income distribution had no significant income gains.

Beyond Ideology, Politics, and Guesswork: The Case for Evidence-Based Policy (revised 2008)

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

U.S. public policy has increasingly been conceived, debated, and evaluated through the lenses of politics and ideology. The fundamental question--Will the policy work?--too often gets short shrift or even ignored. A remedy is evidence-based policy -- a rigorous approach that draws on careful data collection, experimentation, and both quantitative and qualitative analysis to determine what the problem is, which ways it can be addressed, and the probable impacts of each of these ways. Examples of how evidence informs good policy and lack of evidence can invite bad include health insurance coverage, welfare reform, sentencing policy, and redress for housing discrimination.

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.

A New Safety Net for Low-Income Families

paffairs@urban.org ( Sheila R. Zedlewski, Ajay Chaudry, Margaret Simms ) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

During the 1990s, the federal government promised low-income families that work would pay. Parents moved into jobs in response to new welfare rules requiring work, tax credits and other work supports that boosted take-home pay. Unfortunately, the record shows that low-income families have not progressed much. Many don't bring home enough to cover the everyday costs of living. This paper synthesizes the current status of low-income families along with the findings from a set of essays that address key shortcomings in the safety net. The paper summarizes ideas for policies that would make work pay in today's economy.

Enabling Families to Weather Emergencies and Develop : The Role of Assets

paffairs@urban.org ( Signe-Mary McKernan, Caroline Ratcliffe ) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Low-wage jobs can be unstable, leaving families struggling to cope with employment gaps and financial emergencies that can strike without warning. About four in five low-income families are "asset poor," lacking enough liquid savings to live for three months at the federal poverty level without earnings. In this essay, McKernan and Ratcliffe suggest a cluster of policies that would improve financial markets and savings opportunities for low-income families across the life cycle.

Supporting Work for Low-Income People with Significant Challenges

paffairs@urban.org ( Pamela J. Loprest, Karin Martinson ) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Welfare programs require people to work, but some low-income adults struggle with major personal challenges that make it hard to find or hold down a job. In this essay, Loprest and Martinson recommend both short term changes to current programs and longer term efforts through a program for competitive federal matching block grants to states. These grants would support efforts to integrate programs that alleviate barriers to work with employment services and to evaluate these initiatives so policymakers can better understand what works.

Weathering Job Loss : Unemployment Insurance

paffairs@urban.org ( Margaret Simms ) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Low-wage jobs are often characterized by uncertainty and unpredictable gaps in employment. A majority of workers in these jobs do not have access to the temporary income of unemployment insurance to tide them over when they suffer a job loss. This summary outlines recommendations for updating the program by extending benefits to more workers through changes in eligibility rules and establishing more uniform periods of benefit receipt.

Making Work Pay II : Comprehensive Health Insurance for Low-Income Working Families

paffairs@urban.org ( Cynthia Perry, Linda J. Blumberg ) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Only 37 percent of adults in low-income working families had employer-sponsored health insurance and 42 percent had no coverage. Health care costs are also rapidly rising out of reach for even middle-income Americans. In this essay, Perry and Blumberg propose comprehensive reform that ensures coverage for everyone at every income level, while still encouraging work. Their proposals include state purchasing pools, individual mandates, and strategies for reducing health care costs.

Helping Poor Working Parents Get Ahead : Federal Funds for New State Strategies and Systems

paffairs@urban.org ( Harry Holzer, Karin Martinson ) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Low-wage adult workers have trouble getting and keeping higher-paying jobs. Most lack the basic skills and education needed to move up, but certain kinds of assistance might give some the edge they need to break the pattern. In this essay, Holzer and Martinson recommend competitive federal matching block grants that reward states for developing new advancement systems which are linked to state workforce development structures. They would also require partnerships with employers and training providers, including community colleges.

Family Security : Supporting Parents' Employment and Children's DevelopmentSummary

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Parents in low-wage jobs lack both the time and resources needed to fill their dual roles of worker and parent. In this essay, the authors outline a "family security" approach that would help parents fulfill their roles effectively. They suggest policies for enabling parents to improve prospects for their children and combine work with child rearing. Among the recommendations are flexible and paid leave policies for working parents, guaranteed child care, and expansion of the Early Head program.

Making Work Pay Enough : A Decent Standard of Living for Working Families

paffairs@urban.org ( Gregory Acs, Margery Austin Turner ) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

One-third of America's families with children are low income, meaning their incomes fall below twice the federal poverty level. Although four in five of these families work, many don't bring home enough to cover the everyday costs of living. In this essay, Acs and Turner outline their proposals to enhance low-income families' purchasing power and reduce unusually high housing costs through a package of reforms and policy initiatives that tackle both the income side and expenditure side of family budgets.

When Traditional Asset Building Is Not Enough

paffairs@urban.org ( Jessica Gordon Nembhard ) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

This paper is a response to New Safety Net Paper 7, "Enabling Families to Weather Emergencies and Develop: The Role of Assets," by Signe-Mary McKernan and Caroline Ratcliffe.

Health Insurance for Low-Income Working Families - Summary

paffairs@urban.org ( Cynthia Perry, Linda J. Blumberg ) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Only 37 percent of adults in low-income working families had employer-sponsored health insurance and 42 percent had no coverage. Health care costs are also rapidly rising out of reach for even middle-income Americans. In this summary, Perry and Blumberg propose comprehensive reform that ensures coverage for everyone at every income level, while still encouraging work. Their proposals include state purchasing pools, individual mandates and strategies for reducing health care costs.