7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Registration & Breakfast

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9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Welcome Remarks & Program Overview

 

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9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Session I:

 

Economic Success for Working Families & Children

Leaders across the country are finding, creating and embracing new opportunities to use their local resources in ways that generate better economic prospects for working families and children in their communities. Low-income working families are home to people of every age, gender, race, and ethnicity, they are also home to a third of the nation’s children. Economically secure families make economically secure cities, and states. Policymakers play a key role in helping to build and maintain strong communities. This session will highlight the latest data showing that over the last decade there has been a significant decline in the economic well-being of low-income families and children. It will also lay the groundwork for the Policy Institute by challenging policymakers to think creatively about ways to boost economic success for working families and children through a common sense agenda.

• Ms. Laura Speer, Associate Director, Policy Reform and Data, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Resources: 1 | 2

• Ms. Rosa Maria Castañeda, Senior Associate, Family Economic Success, Center for Working Families, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

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10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Session II:

 

Workforce Development: Why Skills Matter

Work matters. For individuals, their ability to earn a living depends upon the skills they possess and the availability of jobs demanding those skills. In today’s economy, education and training beyond high school is the difference between poverty and family-sustaining careers. For individuals, being able to connect education, training, and careers has become key to employability and to attaining and maintaining middle class status. Over 63 percent of all job openings between 2008 and 2018 – will require at least some form of postsecondary education or training. In this session policymakers will receive an overview of economic trends and labor market data and how this impacts employers, workers and a state’s competitiveness.

• Ms. Brooke DeRenzis, Senior State Policy Analyst, National Skills Coalition
PRESENTATION

• Ms. Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, Senior Policy Analyst, National Skills Coalition

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12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Workforce Development: Why Skills Matter – Discussion

This session will build upon the previous session by allowing participants to further discuss the information presented and next steps for state action.

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12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Networking Lunch

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1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Session III:

 

Innovations and Promising Practices in State Policy: Sector Strategies, Career Pathways, Accelerated Learning, and State Investments

In recent years, promising strategies have emerged to help individuals of all skill levels and particularly those who are low-skilled to pursue, progress through, and complete the education and training they need to attain industry-recognized credentials and family-sustaining employment. To ensure our nation is on a path toward economic growth and prosperity, we need education and training policies that collectively prepare all Americans for participation in a skilled workforce that will help industries compete in the 21st century economy. This session will highlight what other states have done to address these challenges through promising practices and innovative policies that have helped build a skilled workforce to meet the needs of employers while helping workers gain the skills and credentials they need to be successful.

• Ms. Vickie Choitz, Associate Director, Economic Opportunities Program, The Aspen Institute
PRESENTATION

• Ms. Brooke DeRenzis, Senior State Policy Analyst, National Skills Coalition

• Ms. Amanda Bergson-Shilcock, Senior Policy Analyst, National Skills Coalition

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3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Break

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3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Innovations and Promising Practices in State Policy:

 

Sector Strategies, Career Pathways, Accelerated Learning, and State Investments

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3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Closing Remarks and Adjourn for the Day

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6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Opening Reception and Celebration

In Honor of The Honorable Luz Weinberg and The Honorable Juan C. Zapata

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Registration & Breakfast

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9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Session IV:

 

Using Federal and State Tax Credits as a Tool for Achieving Family Economic Success

 

Tax incentives are an important part of an asset-building strategy for low-income families that ultimately contributes to their financial stability and the economic viability of entire communities. Unfortunately, millions of eligible taxpayers still do not know that the credits exist, or do not know that they qualify. Achieving family economic success has been out of reach for many low-income families, especially Latino families, however, there are many tools available to help families move toward greater financial security. This session will focus on how the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Dependent Care, and Child Tax Credits can be used and expanded to promote the economic well-being of the most vulnerable families in our communities.

• Mr. Steve Holt, Principal, HoltSolutions
PRESENTATION

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10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Break

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11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Using Federal and State Tax Credits as a Tool for Achieving Family Economic Success

This session will build upon the previous session by allowing participants to further discuss the information presented and next steps for state action.

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12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Luncheon

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1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Session V:

 

Addressing the Needs of Working Families & Children

More than 48 million people including 23.9 million children, live in low income working families. Almost one in three working families are stuck in low-wage jobs that provide inadequate benefits and offer little opportunity for advancement and economic security. Achieving family economic success has to include a variety of strategies for securing adequate incomes, stabilizing finances, and workforce policies that support low income families. This session will provide an overview of various policy approaches to addressing the needs of working families and children.

• Ms. Christine Johnson-Staub, Interim Director, Child Care and Early Education, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)
PRESENTATION | Resources: 1 | 2 

• Ms. Jessica Bartholow, Legislative Advocate, Western Center on Law and Poverty
PRESENTATION | Resources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 

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2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Break

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2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Session VI:

 

Creating Key Messages in Support of Working Families & Children

As legislators work to support and advocate for the working families and children in their communities, effective messaging and outreach to various constituencies that are potential allies will be critical for success. This session will provide participants with tools and strategies for developing and delivering their message on family economic success in a clear, relevant and productive way.

• Ms. Elisa Batista, Campaign Director, MomsRising
PRESENTATION

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3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Evaluations and Closing Remarks