United Way Worldwide (UWW), Ascend at the Aspen Institute and the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR) will host the final session of a three-part series of conversations designed to engage diverse voices and perspectives on two-generation (2Gen) approaches to reducing poverty. This session will focus on community-driven initiatives to help families access federal programs that provide income supports and improve economic opportunity.

Child poverty is a persistent issue with lifetime and intergenerational consequences. More than a quarter of the people living in poverty in the United States receive no help from food stamps and other nutrition programs, subsidized housing, welfare and other cash benefits, or child-care assistance. According to a report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, about 5 million potentially eligible taxpayers do not claim the credit each year, resulting in about $7 billion in unclaimed benefits annually. Expanding federal and state policies and helping parents and caregivers access these benefits would reduce child poverty and improve long-term outcomes for children

In this session, participants will be grounded in data that makes the case for addressing the benefit gap, gain an appreciation for the current policy landscape which creates the context for advocacy, local United Way’s will share how their strategies are shoring up programs– like 211, increasing Medicaid funding for states, expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, WIC benefits, and increasing monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits – policies and services designed to build financial stability.

Nationwide, the concept of free and affordable tax preparation tied to asset development is embraced by a broad cross-section of neighborhoods, cities, community coalitions, funders and policymakers. While we’ve learned a great deal about anti-poverty programs and policies, there is still much to be accomplished. Join us on November 28th to hear more about what it takes to scale, how to engage champions in the effort, and the innovation that will inform the next generation of this work that will help families access the benefits they are entitled to.