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.
The State of City Leadership for Children and Families (2009)
The YEF Institute's first-ever report on The State of City Leadership for Children and Families identifies the nation's most cutting-edge city strategies to help children and families thrive. A chapter on family economic success highlights a broad range of innovations and trends in municipal leadership.
Full report (PDF) | Family economic success chapter (PDF)
Action Kit on Helping Families Achieve Financial Stability (2008)
This action kit focuses on steps that city officials can take to help families avoid debt and predatory lending, save and build assets, and achieve long-term financial stability.
Combating Poverty: Emerging Strategies from the Nation's Cities (2008)
This report highlights local poverty reduction strategies from 13 cities across the nation. The survey responses compiled in the report demonstrate how municipal leaders are well-positioned to lead citywide initiatives to reduce poverty.
Maximizing the Earned Income Tax Credit in Your Community: A Toolkit for Municipal Leaders (2006)
This toolkit was created to help municipal leaders ensure that eligible families have the information and assistance they need to claim the EITC.
Screening Tools to Help Families Access Public Benefits (2005)
This report provides municipal officials with approaches and specific technology options for using screening tools to connect eligible residents to key state and federal benefits.
Action Kit on Helping Working Families (2001)
This action kit for municipal leaders focuses on outreach steps to assist low-income working families in accessing benefits such as the Child Health Insurance Program, food stamps, and the Earned Income Tax Credit.
More tools and resources on work supports and public benefits
Family Economic Success Network
Formed in 2001, the Family Economic Success (FES) Network provides the training, tools, and supports that local officials need to improve the financial stability of their residents. Specific areas of focus include increasing access to mainstream financial services, helping families build and protect assets, and conducting multi-benefit outreach. The network is made possible by the generous support of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Subscribe to the network
Poverty Reduction Peer Network
The Poverty Reduction Peer Network (PRPN) was formed in 2008 in conjunction with NLC’s Poverty Reduction Initiative and the City of Savannah, Ga., Step Up Poverty Reduction Initiative. It is a nationwide peer learning community that brings municipal leaders from 25-30 cities together to learn from each other and address challenges related to poverty. The network is made possible by the generous support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. If you are interested in being a part of this peer network, contact Laura Fischer at (202) 626-3056 or fischer@nlc.org.
Cities Combating Hunger through Afterschool Meals Programs (2012)
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.
Improving Data Collection in Municipal Bank On Initiatives (2011-12)
Five cities - Houston, Louisville, San Francisco, Savannah, Ga., and Seattle - will receive technical assistance and $5,000 mini-grants to support the collection of data on residents’ access to mainstream financial services. Supported by the Ford Foundation, the project will address key barriers to evaluating the progress of local "Bank On" programs, which connect residents to low-cost bank accounts, financial education and other asset-building opportunities.
Bank on Cities Campaign (2008-09)
Through the Bank On Cities Campaign, the YEF Institute provided intensive technical assistance to 18 cities as they sought to replicate Bank On San Francisco, which connects low- and moderate-income families to mainstream financial services and products. As this model has rapidly spread to cities around the country, the YEF Institute has provided assistance to many additional cities beyond this initial cohort and continues to serve as a resource for municipal leaders interested in launching similar programs in their own cities.
Helping Working Families Project (2004)
In 2004, the YEF Institute provided technical assistance to six cities to help them design or enhance outreach strategies to connect working families to multiple state and federal benefits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, food stamps, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Project cities included Cleveland, Ohio; Memphis, Tenn.; Milwaukee, Wis.; New Haven, Conn.; Oakland, Calif.; and Seattle, Wash.