1. www.clasp.org Work Support Strategies WFSN Conference Workshop: Improving Benefits Access in States November 7, 2013 Olivia Golden Executive Director

2. www.clasp.org 2 PROJECT MANAGEMENT & EVALUATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FUNDERS

3. www.clasp.org 3 Improve families’ wellbeing by increasing enrollment in the full package of work supports. Help states deliver benefits more effectively and efficiently Share lessons learned to inform state and federal policies.

4. www.clasp.org 4 Work supports can help low-income families meet needs, improve outcomes, and stabilize work. Yet many families do not receive the full package of benefits. State policy, processes, systems are part of the barrier

5. www.clasp.org Medicaid/ CHIP SNAP (nutrition assistance) Child Care Development Fund (child care subsidies) Others identified by the states (such as TANF and energy assistance) 5

6. www.clasp.org 6 Colorado Idaho Illinois North Carolina Rhode Island South Carolina

7. www.clasp.org 7 Business processes Policy Technology & information systems Data Analysis & Use Management & Communication

8. www.clasp.org The Puzzle How can these states stay committed to improving work support programs? What about political polarization, tight budgets, ongoing crises? The Answers Pre-reform systems weren’t working. Responsive government is a widely shared goal. Fragmented systems frustrate counties. States want wins for children/ families. Once agencies improve, they don’t want to go back. 8

9. www.clasp.org Seize health reform as an opportunity for integration. Improve child care policy and practice. Improve local office processes to speed decision-making. Make policy decisions across programs. Fix “churn” as well as initial applications. 9

10. www.clasp.org 1.Use data for decision-making, but understand it’s hard. 2.Modernize technology—but don’t let it rule you. 3.Building teams takes persistence but pays off. 4.Leadership and management matter. 5.A learning organization can meet challenge after challenge. 10

11. www.clasp.org http://www.urban.org/worksupport/ Early Lessons from the Work Support Strategies Initiative  Cross-cutting report: http://www.urban.org/publications/412789.html http://www.urban.org/publications/412789.html  Nine state reports: http://www.urban.org/worksupport/Early-Lessons.cfm http://www.urban.org/worksupport/Early-Lessons.cfm 11

12. www.clasp.org New Perspectives on Transforming States’ Health and Human Services, 2013. (Collection of commentaries). http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412833- New-Perspectives-on-Transforming-States- Health-and-Human-Services.pdf http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412833- New-Perspectives-on-Transforming-States- Health-and-Human-Services.pdf Public Forum June 2013: http://www.urban.org/events/Transforming- States-Services-ACA.cfm http://www.urban.org/events/Transforming- States-Services-ACA.cfm 12