Author Blog Cash and Safety Net Melissa Johnson Policy Areas Services for Georgia’s Vulnerable Lifted but Challenges Remain February 11, 2016 / January 15, 2020 by Melissa Johnson The evening news confronts us with the plight of Georgia’s most vulnerable people almost nightly, the fragile children, older adults and people living in poverty. The crafting of the state budget is one of few opportunities during the year for lawmakers to spell out concrete steps to protect and assist these Georgians. This year, according […] Read more » Department of Human Services FY2017
Author Cash and Safety Net Library Melissa Johnson Policy Areas Reports Overview: 2017 Fiscal Year Budget for Human Services February 11, 2016 / January 15, 2020 by Melissa Johnson Services for Georgia’s Vulnerable Get Needed Lift Gov. Nathan Deal’s proposed $634 million Department of Human Services budget for the 2017 fiscal year marks a clear change in direction after years of cuts and public criticism of the agency’s ability to protect and assist Georgia’s most vulnerable children and families. The spending plan adds substantial […] Read more » Budget Overview Department of Human Services Economic Security FY2017 Safety Net
Blog Budget and Taxes Cash and Safety Net EITC Day 2016 Highlights February 1, 2016 / January 15, 2020 by GBPI Admin The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a successful federal tax credit and powerful tool to support working families struggling to make ends meet. Georgia has a golden opportunity to strengthen working families, support small businesses and boost local economies with a state EITC. EITC Awareness Day was Friday, Jan. 29. In case you missed […] Read more » economic mobility EITC State Taxes
Cash and Safety Net Melissa Johnson Georgia Missing Opportunity to Strengthen Workforce January 15, 2016 / January 15, 2020 by Melissa Johnson While most adults who rely on cash and food assistance in Georgia lack any education beyond high school, not enough of the state’s workers are trained for so-called middle-skill jobs. Middle-skill jobs require more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree. A new Georgia Budget and Policy Institute report shows how […] Read more » Economic Security Safety Net SNAP TANF
Cash and Safety Net Melissa Johnson Untapped Potential January 15, 2016 / January 15, 2020 by Melissa Johnson Georgia is missing out on key opportunities to strengthen its workforce because it does not fully leverage the potential of safety net programs Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T). Read the full report. Read more » Economic Security Safety Net TANF
Blog Cash and Safety Net Melissa Johnson Worker Justice Workforce Legislation Can Increase Economic Opportunity in Georgia December 17, 2015 / January 16, 2020 by Melissa Johnson The state is working on a new plan to better leverage federal resources to provide training and work support for Georgians and there is room for improvement in the draft it recently published. The plan is required by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. The legislation and draft plan offer many opportunities […] Read more » economic development economy training workforce
Budget and Taxes Cash and Safety Net Support Georgia veterans through tax credits that work November 10, 2015 / January 15, 2020 by GBPI Admin | 1 Comment on Support Georgia veterans through tax credits that work Guest Blogger Veterans Day should be about more than a chance to get a good deal on a new flat screen TV ahead of the holidays, although there’s nothing wrong with getting a bargain. A break on the sticker price also benefits the men and women who serve our country, many of whom struggle financially […] Read more » EITC State Taxes Veterans
Blog Cash and Safety Net Taifa Smith Butler So Many Georgians Struggle, but it Doesn’t Have to be That Way October 9, 2015 / March 5, 2021 by Taifa Smith Butler | 2 Comments on So Many Georgians Struggle, but it Doesn’t Have to be That Way For the last 15 years or so, I’ve peered out across many crowded rooms filled to capacity with bright-eyed, on occasion teary-eyed, Georgians. So many are desperate for solutions to help improve their communities, especially the families struggling to get by. And I’ve looked into the faces of leaders of elected, community, faith and business […] Read more » Economic Security EITC Medicaid Expansion Safety Net Taifa Smith Butler
Blog Cash and Safety Net Melissa Johnson Pending TANF Changes Could Send Georgia Budget Writers Scrambling August 21, 2015 / January 17, 2020 by Melissa Johnson Pending changes to a federal work-development and safety-net program that relies on state contributions could create a shortfall of tens of millions of dollars Georgia budget writers will need to fill somehow. Congress returns to Washington in a few weeks following its August recess and one of the laws on its to-do list is a […] Read more » Blog Melissa Johnson TANF
Blog Cash and Safety Net K-12 Education Melissa Johnson Worker Justice Educating Adults Critical to Georgia’s Success August 6, 2015 / March 12, 2021 by Melissa Johnson | 1 Comment on Educating Adults Critical to Georgia’s Success School is starting this week for many Georgia children but education ended much too soon for many of the state’s adults. Nearly 866,000 Georgians from 18 to 64 are without a high school diploma or GED. Georgia is home to the ninth highest share of adults in this age range in the country without a […] Read more » Economic Security Education Melissa Johnson Report Safety Net
