Work Supports and Public Benefits
Millions of families in America include at least one worker but are still poor, struggling to pay for food, shelter, and health care. If working families don't get the help they need, their problems eventually land on the city's doorstep in the form of homelessness, uncompensated care in public clinics and hospitals, rising demands on local food pantries and soup kitchens, and barriers that prevent young people from reaching their full potential. By connecting families with the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), health insurance, federal nutrition programs and other benefits, city leaders can help alleviate poverty and bring millions of federal dollars to residents and the local economy.
Witnessing Child Hunger Firsthand and Tapping Federal Funding for Afterschool Meals
With the expansion of the Afterschool Meal Program to all 50 states, public and nonprofit afterschool providers are taking advantage of federal reimbursement for meal programs to combat hunger and obesity, which affects millions of disadvantaged children who rely on school breakfasts and lunches but lack access to healthy meals outside of school.
The Go Direct® Campaign and Financial Empowerment
The U.S. Treasury Department is phasing out paper check payments and requiring federal benefit recipients to get their money electronically. The Go Direct® campaign provides free materials and ideas to promote electronic payments in your city’s financial literacy initiatives.
NLC to Assist 11 Cities in Combating Childhood Hunger
As part of the Cities Combating Hunger through Afterschool Meal Programs (CHAMP) initiative, NLC has selected 11 cities to receive grant funding and practical guidance as they take steps to increase children’s participation in the federal Afterschool Meal Program.
NLC to Host Leadership Academy on Combating Child Hunger
As part of a $1 million initiative supported by The Walmart Foundation, NLC will partner with the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) to host two leadership academies that will help city leaders learn how to combat child hunger by increasing participation in the newly-expanded federal Afterschool Meal Program. These convenings will be held May 2-3 in Washington, D.C., and May 22-23 in Chicago, Ill.
Cities Promote Tax-Time Saving With EITC Outreach Strategies
In an effort to reduce the number of families who miss out on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the chance to attract untapped federal dollars into their local economies, municipal leaders are once again implementing targeted outreach strategies, hosting events and providing opportunities for free tax preparation services through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites.
Cities Can Use Summer Meals Program to Close Nutrition Gap When School is Out
NLC's Institute for Youth, Education and Families, aided by a grant from the ConAgra Foods Foundation, is working with the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) to help city leaders connect their residents with the federal Summer Food Service Program.
Ten Years of the EITC Movement: Making Work Pay Then and Now
This new report from the Metropolitan Policy Program of the Brookings Institution describes the activity of the EITC Movement and reflects on what local and national EITC initiatives have achieved since their significant expansion over the past decade.
Full report
USDA Summer Food Service Program Helps Prevent Child Hunger in Summer Months
Millions of children and teens who rely on school meals are at greater risk of going hungry during the summer months when school is not in session. City leaders can use the USDA's Summer Food Service Program Outreach Toolkit to connect young people with healthy, nutritious meals at community centers, parks, schools, and other eligible program sites throughout the community.
Cities Kick Off Tax Season with New EITC Outreach Opportunities
January 28, 2011, marked the fifth annual Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day, an effort by the IRS to encourage local governments, community organizations and other stakeholders to bring attention to the EITC and opportunities for free tax filing services through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites.
YEF Institute's EITC toolkit
Institute for Local Government Project Helps Cities Expand Access to Children's Health Insurance
The Institute for Local Government in California recently completed a three-year project to help 10 California cities help families find affordable health insurance for their children. The ILG website includes a video on the Insuring Kids' Health project, an Online Resource Center, and a guide for local officials.
FRAC Offers SNAP/Food Stamp Outreach and Access Toolkit
Food stamp participation rose to a record 44 million - or 1 in 7 - Americans in December 2010. The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) toolkit offers a guide for policy and outreach initiatives that strengthen the ability of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps to respond to heightened need for food assistance.
