| | This Issue Update newsletter is part of a series that provides more information on each priority issue on the Alliance's 2021 Legislative Agenda. The Legislative Agenda is crafted annually in partnership with early childhood organizations that are advancing legislative policy solutions related to health, safety, food security, economic security, and early care and education. The 11 priority issues were selected by the Alliance's 21 member Steering Committee. | | | | Increase Reach Up Funding Reach Up is Vermont’s cash assistance program for very low-income families facing significant barriers to employment. Funded by a combination of federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) block grants and state funds, Reach Up’s purpose is two-fold: to support adults moving towards sustainable employment while providing for the basic needs of their children. In Vermont, Reach Up does not provide sufficient support to prevent deprivation. Families are receiving less than 40% of what they need for a subsistence living, and even with additional benefits like 3SquaresVT the families most in need of basic assistance are appallingly under-resourced, while expected to overcome barriers to employment and move toward self-sufficiency. Housing is the most significant unmet need, and federal COVID funds will expand the availability of emergency rental assistance for families in poverty for the next year. This creates a remarkable opportunity for Reach Up to actually meet its statutory purpose with an additional infusion of funds to raise the basic need allowance to meet the current cost of living. Vermont could substantially reduce child poverty and eradicate deep poverty for children by leveraging federal COVID funds and investing state funds wisely in Reach Up. The Alliance supports Voices for Vermont’s Children’s proposal to adjust the basic needs allowance for families on Reach Up to the most recent standard of need, and to raise the benefit to a level that in combination with programs like 3SquaresVT meets 100% of basic needs for Vermont families in need of assistance. Continue reading for more information on this priority issue, including data and talking points, connections to the lead organization, and advocacy tools. | | | |  | Data and Talking Points - Current Reach Up grants to families reflect only 49.6% of a subsistence budget using 2008 figures.
- Prior to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program funded by federal pandemic relief funds, only 25 to 30% of Reach Up households were eligible for Section 8 vouchers or resided in project-based subsidized housing. This left the vast majority of families with almost inconceivably insufficient resources to cover housing, transportation, and other basic living expenses. This untenable system will resume once the pandemic ends.
- There are currently 5,000 children in Vermont living in deep poverty. Applying one-time funds to establish strong support programs for children ensures their security, health, and economic mobility for a lifetime.
- Increasing the Reach Up benefit drastically improves a parent’s ability to plan for the long-term. We cannot expect parents to plan for the future when every day is spent struggling to survive.
- Families that currently receive the maximum benefit from programs like 3SquaresVT, fuel assistance, and Reach up are still living well below the federal poverty level.
| | | |  | | | Lead Organization Voices for Vermont’s Children Voices for Vermont’s Children is a multi-issue advocacy organization focused on promoting public policy that centers children and youth. Voices takes a systemic approach to addressing the full spectrum of child, youth and family issues. Their work is driven by research, analysis, and the lived experience of impacted individuals in the pursuit of equity and justice for all kids. | | | | Resources and Advocacy Tools | | | |  | Get Involved - Contact your legislators and let them know that you support Voices for Vermont’s Children’s proposal to adjust the basic needs allowance for families on Reach Up to the most recent standard of need, and to raise the benefit to a level that in combination with programs like 3SquaresVT meets 100% of basic needs for Vermont families in need of assistance.
| | | |  | | | Schedule an Advocacy Training Schedule an Alliance training for a group of early childhood professionals, providers, parents, or employers interested in strengthening their advocacy skills or learning more about the issues on the Alliance’s Legislative Agenda. Be informed and ensure your voice is heard on issues impacting Vermont's young children and families! To set up a training, email Matt Levin, Alliance Executive Director, at matt@vecaa.org. | | | | | |  | | | | | The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a statewide coalition formed in 2000 of early childhood professionals, parents, organizations, businesses, and strategic partners committed to improving public policies that impact young children between birth and age eight in the areas of health, safety, food security, economic security, and early care and education. The Alliance crafts an annual Legislative Agenda in partnership with early childhood organizations, provides year-round advocacy support, and facilitates meaningful interactions with policymakers at key times during the decision making process. | | | | 15 State Street | Montpelier , Vermont 05602 vecaa.org The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a program of the Vermont Community Loan Fund. | | | | | | | | | |
