Family Economic Success

CAHS works to strengthen Connecticut’s children, families and communities by improving public policies and helping the working poor create their own pathway to financial success.

Image

In order for families to move on a path toward economic security, they must have access to basic needs like food, housing, child care, and health care. Work supports such as the federal and a state Earned Income Tax Credit greatly increase the ability of low-wage workers to provide for their family. Affordable, quality early care and education puts children on the path to be ready to learn when entering school and ready to succeed in the workforce. Financial education gives parents the tools to budget, plan, and build assets.

Access to affordable workforce training and skills development enables lower-wage parents to move up the career ladder, increase their income and save for the future. Finally, an equitable, transparent, and sustainable tax policy will ensure that Connecticut has strong families, vibrant workforce, and a thriving economy.

Family Economic Success Coalition

All of these policies and practices, when put together, build a strong foundation for Connecticut’s children and families. CAHS advocates for policy change on many of these fronts. The Family Economic Success Coalition (FES), funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, strives to create this kind of opportunity in the state.

CAHS informs, convenes, and mobilizes a coalition of direct providers, advocates, and individuals committed to help families move out of poverty to economic security. We provide relevant updates about the state budget, policy issues, and action alerts.

Image

Additional Policy Initiatives

State Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): CAHS spearheaded a campaign to enact a State EITC during the 2006, 2007, and 2008 Legislative Sessions and was present when Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed Connecticut’s Earned Income Tax Credit into law in August 2011. The EITC is a critical support for families earning less than $60,000, helping lift families out of poverty and build a secure economic future.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): VITA provides free tax preparation services to low-wage tax filers, ensuring they receive the federal EITC and other tax credits. VITA also serves as a vehicle to Connecticut low-wage workers with financial education and asset building resources. CAHS advocates for increased federal funding to support VITA sites across the county.

Financial Education: In addition to coordinating the CT Money School, CAHS supports expanding state funding for financial education opportunities for low-wage individuals, and incorporating financial education into the middle and high school curriculum.

Paid Sick Days: Connecticut became the first state in the nation to offer paid sick leave in 2011. CAHS has partnered with other advocates throughout the state to work for this important support for working families.

Family Medical Leave: Connecticut created a task force to study the implementation of paid family medical leave in the state. CAHS was part of a coalition advocating for the creation of the task force, and partners with other advocates in support of this program.