Policy Briefs

Family Economic Success

Brief No. 25 — Policy, Coordination Gap for Children and Families Identified: "New Lens," Concrete Actions Recommended

Child, youth and family development experts convened by the National Human Services Assembly (National Assembly, NHSA) this spring concluded that the "silos" of children, youth and families hinder the nation's ability to effectively serve any of the three and should be bridged. The conclusions and recommendations of the gathering, which included representatives of more than forty national human service, education and community development organizations, are presented in a just-released white paper, "Through a New Lens: Toward a Fundamental Reframing of 'the Client." The paper suggests that the current economic crisis, and the hardship it imposes on families, make the case for fundamental change, now. Read full brief»

Brief No. 15 — Work-Plus: Boosting the Bottom Line for Low-Wage Working Parents

To provide for their families, low-wage working parents need good jobs. “Work-plus” is the most promising avenue to helping parents obtain family-sustaining jobs. This approach can benefit both low-wage working families and employers by upgrading workers’ skills, improving job retention and helping parents access work supports. Read full brief»

Brief No. 11 — Individual Development Accounts: A Tool for Achieving Family Economic Success

All families need adequate income with which to support themselves, but income alone is not enough to raise many families out of poverty.  One of the most promising approaches for asset building, Individual Development Accounts, operates from the premise that low-income families can save and accumulate financial assets if the proper supports are in place. This brief looks at the latest research on IDAs and how owning assets gives people a stake in society and a sense of connectedness to their communities. Read full brief»

Brief No. 10 — Curtailing Predatory Lending: Helping Families Grow Economic Assets

By draining the economic assets of low-income families, predatory lending erodes their ability to raise children and become self-sufficient. Unnecessarily high interest rates and abusive loan-fee structures divert family income from basic necessities and fuel repeat borrowing. This brief discusses the impact and cost of predatory lending on low-income families, as well as relates predatory lending to limited access to mainstream financial services in low-income communities. Finally, it identifies ways to increase affordable and fair credit alternatives. Read full brief»