Connecticut United Ways 2021 Advocacy Agenda

United Way advocates to help ALICE prosper

 

CONNECTICUT UNITED WAYS 2021 ADVOCACY AGENDA

United Way’s steadfast focus on advocacy priorities in the areas of health, education, financial stability and community strengthening supports and positively impacts families in greater Danbury, greater New Milford, and Stamford—and throughout the state.

We stand with United Way of Connecticut and other Connecticut United Ways in advocating for policy change that will help our community respond, recover, reimagine and rebuild systems for a just, equitable and strong future.

Connecticut United Ways are working with partners across the state to prioritize the following issues that will improve the lives of hardworking, struggling families:
 

United for ALICE  Child Care, Education & Youth Success   *  
Financial Stability & Economic Vitality  *  Improve Health Access

 

 

 

ALICE works hard, let's ensure it pays

United for ALICE: Make Work Pay

A restored Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) at the state level will provide needed flexible income for struggling families, while providing an important economic stimulus.

  • Restore the CT EITC to at least 30% of a filer's federal EITC and expand eligibility. For every EITC dollar a recipient earns, they return $1.24 to the economy*.
     
  • Establish a state CTC to offset the cost of caring for a child or dependent with disabilities. For every CTC dollar a recipient earns, they return $1.38 to the economy*.

 

* Moody’s Fiscal Multiplier Estimates

 


 

education and youth success

Child Care, Education & Youth Success

The path to a successful future begins with access to affordable, quality child care, opportunities for youth success, and the support needed to pursue a good education.

  • Support more funding for early care and education and improve access to reliable, affordable and quality child care including through the State’s Care4Kids childcare subsidy.
  • Invest in systems that provide for children across all communities a clear path to economic prosperity through education; invest in initiatives that enable more children to perform at grade level.

 


 

Financial Stability & Economic Vitality

 

Financial Stability & Economic Vitality

Access to good jobs, affordable housing, and asset-building resources will allow ALICE households to work towards a more secure financial future.

  • Bridge the gap between stagnant wages and the growing cost of raising a family. Improve service delivery and better coordinate child care, job training, and work supports that will lead to success for the whole family.
  • Support equitable pathways for career opportunities that meet employers’ needs and provide wages that support families, including through Connecticut’s Workforce Strategic Plan.

 


 

Improve Health Across the Age Spectrum in CT Improve Health Access Across the Age Spectrum in CT

Social and economic factors (access to nutritious food, stable housing, reliable transportation, and mental health services) greatly influence ALICE’s health outcomes. Access to preventive care is essential.

  • Increase the income eligibility for HUSKY/Medicaid and expand access to affordable and quality health and dental insurance.
  • Streamline access to health and human services, and provide coordinated and consistent access to services by maintaining and growing support for 211.


Join the Conversation and become an Advocate

Join us for two upcoming events to delve into Connecticut United Ways’ policy agenda to improve the lives of hardworking, struggling families and explore the issues of our workforce in the wake of the health and economic crisis, while addressing gender and racial inequities:


May 3
2 pm

 
May 18
8 am

ALICE Advocacy Forum
When Ends Don’t Meet: Supporting ALICE Households Post-Pandemic and Beyond
Join Connecticut United Ways and the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity to highlight some of the concrete steps Connecticut can take to better support ALICE, and how proposed legislation could help stabilize our ALICE families.

Register for the ALICE Advocacy Forum

Virtual ALICE Town Hall
ALICE in the Workforce
Join us for our final virtual town hall to delve into the issues affecting ALICE in the workplace, as we look toward what economic recovery from the pandemic looks like through a lens of racial and gender equity.

Register for the ALICE Town Hall