Economic Security Updates

Child Poverty Spikes To High Level in Maryland

Child poverty in Maryland sharply increased in 2009, to the highest level in at least five years, based on data just released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Read more >>

Act Now: Ask Congress To End Childhood Hunger

Before the end of the year, it is vitally important that the current members of Congress act to reduce childhood hunger and support Maryland families during tough economic times. Act now >>

Despite Grant Loss, State Can Help Distressed Neighborhoods

No group in Maryland is receiving a federal Promise Neighborhoods planning grant, to replicate the Harlem Children's Zone. However, there is still strong interest in transforming services for families in distressed neighborhoods. Read more >>

Nearly All Voters Support One-Stop Application Process

There is a near consensus among Maryland voters that families should be able to complete one application to receive food stamps and other supportive services, rather than the current system of many different applications. The federal government pays for 100 percent of the cost of food stamps and is providing funding to simplify the application process. Read more >>

Montgomery County Coordinates Services for Families

At an ACY policy and advocacy briefing, Uma Alhuwalia explained how her agency in Montgomery County is integrating services for families from the moment they first seek help. There are significant technical barriers to overcome, but families are benefiting, and there are significant government efficiencies. Read more>>

Promise Neighborhoods RFP Released; Quick Deadline

The federal government released its Request for Proposals for groups interested in replicating the Harlem Children's Zone. There are 20 Promise Neighborhood grants available. Several groups in Maryland are interested, but political leadership is needed to coordinate interested parties for the strongest possible application. Read more>>

Leadership Needed To Transform Distressed Neighborhoods

To transform services for families in distressed neighborhoods based on the Harlem Children's Zone, the Governor, Baltimore City Mayor, and Prince George's County Executive need to appoint a top official who will bring together the various sites interested in replication and identify an organization who can provide technical support to the different efforts. An analysis by Advocates for Children and Youth finds that many other states and cities are already doing this. Effective leadership will also strengthen the likelihood of the State winning a federal Promise Neighborhood planning grant. Read more>>

Doors Widen for Families In Need of Food Stamps, Insurance

The General Assembly, at the request of State Senator Rich Madaleno, ordered state agencies to develop a system to allow families to apply for food stamps, health insurance and other benefits without having to submit multiple applications or go to many different offices. This groundbreaking strategy will address significant underutilization of services by Maryland families and reduce illegal delays in the processing of food stamp and Medicaid applications.

Author Brings Local Attention to Harlem Children's Zone

Paul Tough, author of a book on the Harlem Children's Zone, visited Baltimore, bringing attention to the successful effort to bring preventive services to families in distressed neighborhoods. Harlem Children Zone founder Geoffrey Canada will speak at the Advocates for Children and Youth Distinguished Speaker Luncheon on October 14, 2010. Read more >>

Jump in Children Receiving Free and Reduced Price School Meals

The number of students receiving free and reduced-price meals jumped by more than 30,000 this year, according to data recently released and analyzed by Advocates for Children and Youth. The increase shows the impact of the recession on families, but also indicates successful outreach efforts, particularly in Baltimore City, lead by Dr. Andrés Alonso. Read more>>

Governor's Budget Does Not Increase Food Stamp Workers

The Governor's budget does not include any new positions for eligibility workers trying to handle the exploding number of food stamp applications. A state judge has ordered the State to end application delays. Read more >>

Majority of Poor Now Live Outside of Baltimore City

For the first time, more low-income households live in the Baltimore suburbs than in Baltimore City, showing the need for metropolitan strategies. Read more >>

National Spotlight on Home Visiting Programs

An influential think tank highlighted the value of home visiting programs for pregnant women and new parents, a key component of the Governor's strategy to improve Maryland's terrible birth outcomes. Read more >>

WYPR Highlights Local Efforts To Replicate Children’s Zone

As part of a series on growing up in Baltimore, WYPR put the spotlight on the Harlem Children’s Zone, which brings preventive services to families in distressed neighborhoods, and local efforts to replicate it. Read more >>

Judge Orders State to End Food Stamp Delays

A judge has given Maryland officials 45 days to develop a plan that will end illegal delays in the processing of food stamp applications. These delays are one reason Maryland is 41st in the nation in getting food stamps to eligible families. Read more >>

Legal Aid Drops Just as Newly Poor Marylanders Need More

Reported in The Washington Post: "At the very time that more newly poor people need help with the likes of mortgages, rent disputes and battles over wages, clinics across the country that help with noncriminal cases are enduring sharp funding drops....Locally, Maryland is hardest hit." Read more >>

State Ranks 41st in Getting Food Stamps To Eligible Families

A smaller percentage of eligible families in Maryland are getting food stamps, according to recently released data analyzed by Advocates for Children and Youth. The State ranks 41st in the country in food stamp utilization. Solutions include hiring more eligibility workers, doing eligibility interviews by phone and allowing families to complete applications for food stamps and other benefits at one-stop centers across the State. Read more >>

One-Stop Shops Can Help Struggling Maryland Families

Maryland can help struggling families by creating one-stop shops where families can apply for multiple benefits. There are existing models upon which the State can build, in other states and in Maryland. It is particularly important that two new state efforts—one for health and the other for family work supports like food stamps--be coordinated. Read more >>

Harlem Children's Zone Draws Continued Positive Attention

The Harlem Children's Zone is receiving sustained praise for reaching nearly every child from birth through college in a distressed neighborhood. ACY is supporting efforts to bring a zone to Maryland. Read more >>

Study Shows Neighborhood Key to Family Success

A new study confirms the importance of projects like the Harlem Children's Zone, which blankets distressed neighborhoods with preventive services. Read more >>

During Hunger Awareness Week, Families Can't Get Food Stamps

Hungry families still cannot access food stamps quickly because of overburdened eligibility workers and an inefficient application process. Advocates for Children and Youth is working with Governor O'Malley to finalize a five-year plan to end childhood hunger. Read more >>

Maryland Groups To Attend Children's Zone Conference

As groups from Maryland prepare to attend a sold-out conference on replicating the Harlem Children's Zone, the project continues to receive national attention for its ability to reach so many families with preventive services. Read more >>

In Memoriam: Irona Pope, Champion for Families

Irona Pope was a tireless advocate for children and families in Baltimore and across the State. Read more >>

Initiative Grows Black Middle Class in Baltimore City

Led by the Associated Black Charities, the More in the Middle program helps Black families in Baltimore City rise up the economic ladder. Read more >>

Restrictions May Soon Lift On Legal Aid to the Poor

Marylanders may soon have more legal assistance in securing food stamps, unemployment and other benefits to which they are entitled, thanks to U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski.
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Governor Holds HungerStat Meeting

In the first-ever meeting of its kind, Governor O'Malley scrutinized state efforts to reduce childhood hunger, through improved access to food stamps and other services. Advocates for Children and Youth is part of the Governor's Partnership To End Childhood Hunger.

Montgomery County Expands Summer Meals for Children

Hungry children in Montgomery County will have an easier time finding food this summer. Read more >>

Governor Renews Commitment to End Childhood Hunger

The Governor identified reducing childhood hunger as one of his 15 priority goals, reaffirming his previous commitment to address this issue. The Maryland Department of Human Resources also took important steps to improve food stamp access, including: securing a federal waiver so that applicants can be interviewed by phone instead of in person; applying for federal matching funds to expand community-based programs that help families apply for food stamps; and ending a hiring freeze for state workers who process applications.

New York Times Highlights Need To Simplify Access To Benefits

A front-page story in The New York Times highlights the need for an easier process for families to get benefits like food stamps. As recently explained by Advocates for Children and Youth, many eligible families in Maryland are unable to access benefits. This problem recently provoked a class action lawsuit.

President Proposes $10 Million for Promise Neighborhoods

Following up on a campaign promise, the President’s budget includes $10 million to replicate the Harlem Children’s Zone, which provides comprehensive, preventive services to families in distressed neighborhoods. The Harlem Children's Zone continues to receive national attention, most recently because of a study of its strong educational program. From Boston to Durham to Pittsburgh, cities are preparing to compete for the federal money. Several replication efforts are already underway in Maryland.

More Cities Gear Up for Promise Neighborhood Competition

Minneapolis joined the ranks of cities seeking to replicate the Harlem Children’s Zone and potentially compete for a federal Promise Neighborhood grant.

ACY Identifies How Maryland Can Improve Food Stamp Use

Maryland's use of food stamps is 41st in the nation. Over 150,000 Marylanders are eligible for food stamps, but do not receive them. Advocates for Children and Youth has researched and identified the best practices from other states through which Maryland can become a national model. Read more >>

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Because of Food Stamp Delays

A Baltimore County family and others have filed suit because of long delays in getting approved for food stamps and other benefits. Read more >>

Unemployment Skyrockets in Maryland: 10th Highest Increase

Unemployment in Maryland leaped by more than 80 percent, the 10th highest increase in the country. Read more >>

President’s Proposed Budget Includes Children’s Zone Funding

Following up on a campaign promise, the President’s budget includes funding to replicate the Harlem Children’s Zone which provides comprehensive, preventive services to families in distressed neighborhoods. More details on Promise Neighborhoods will be available when the full proposed budget is released. Several replication efforts are already underway in Maryland. Read more >>

Seedco Helps Low-Income Families Access Work Supports

For families seeking food stamps and other economic supports, Seedco’s EarnBenefits Online is the closest thing to a one-stop shop in Maryland. But even with this program, families must go to multiple offices and provide the same documents over and over again. Several changes could make EarnBenefits services more useful to families. Read more >>

Maryland Continues to Lag Behind on Food Stamp Use

Newly released data shows that the percentage of eligible Marylanders using food stamps continues to lag behind the national average, despite recent increases. Four out of every ten eligible Marylanders are not receiving food stamps. As the economy continues to decline, the State needs to ensure that all families are aware of their eligibility for benefits. Read more >>

Sun Calls Attention To Growing Barriers to Economic Supports

In an editorial, The Baltimore Sun noted that for families trying to access economic supports "waiting lines are longer, caseworkers are stretched to the limit and many people end up being denied benefits because there simply aren't enough staff members to process all the claims coming in....Routine tasks that used to take hours or days - such as recertifying clients for benefits they've already qualified for - now take weeks or even months to complete. Crucial documents get misplaced or disappear." Read more >>

ACY Helps Governor Launch Anti-Hunger Initiative

ACY has joined forces with the Governor in the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland. A major priority will be increasing food stamp use by eligible families. The State is already moving forward with one important reform--allowing families to apply for food stamps by phone. Read more >>

ACY Op-Ed: Use Federal Funds To Build Families, Not Roads

Maryland can best improve its economy by using proposed federal funds to provide concrete help to distressed families, rather than rushing to build traditional infrastructure projects, according to an op-ed by Advocates for Children and Youth. Read more >>

Momentum Builds for Harlem Children's Zone in Maryland

Significant events have occurred in recent weeks that increase prospects for a replication of the Harlem Children's Zone in one or more locations in Maryland. This includes: a visit to the Harlem Children's Zone by a prominent group from Maryland; a speech by acclaimed television director Ed Burns on the merits of bringing the Harlem Children's Zone to Maryland; a study on how the Harlem Children's Zone can help avoid some of the high cost of addressing poor outcomes in a few distressed neighborhoods; the election of Barack Obama who pledged as a candidate to replicate the Harlem Children's Zone in 20 cities; an op-ed; and a WYPR show.

The High Cost of Bad Outcomes in 10 Neighborhoods, ACY Study

According to an unprecedented, new analysis by Advocates for Children and Youth, 10 neighborhoods in Maryland account for only 2 percent of the State’s population but are taking up nearly one in seven state dollars on services for distressed families. The annual cost is $66 million. This high and highly disproportionate spending is caused by the particularly poor outcomes in these neighborhoods. Maryland can improve child outcomes and save money by replicating programs like the Harlem Children’s Zone, which provides comprehensive prevention and opportunity services to families in distressed neighborhoods. Read more >>

Candidate Obama Pledged To Replicate Harlem Children’s Zone

As a candidate, Barack Obama said, “When I'm President, the first part of my plan to combat urban poverty will be to replicate the Harlem Children's Zone in 20 cities across the country.” Federal support can greatly enhance Maryland’s own efforts; indeed, because Maryland has a head start, it should be a top candidate for participation in a presidential initiative. Read more what the President-elect said >>

Child Care Cuts Fended Off

After the Governor received a flood of emails, proposed cuts to child care were significantly reduced. A cap on child care support for working families was eliminated, and the proposed cuts to child care and family support centers were reduced by half. These programs are particularly important for families during tough economic times. Read more >>

Maryland’s History of Low Food Stamp Participation

Many Maryland families who are eligible for food stamps are not getting them. A new analysis by Advocates for Children and Youth shows that the State’s food stamp participation rate has lagged significantly behind the national average and is among the lowest in the nation. The federal government pays for food stamps, which means that, at little or no cost to the State, Maryland can reduce hunger through more effective outreach and easier enrollment processes. Read more >>

ACY Focus: Harlem Children’s Zone and Family Work Supports

To promote the economic security of Maryland’s families, Advocates for Children and Youth will support efforts to replicate the Harlem Children’s Zone in Maryland and to ensure that all eligible families take advantage of work supports like food stamps, health insurance and tax credits. At an ACY event in Montgomery County, Ed Burns, writer and producer of the hit HBO series, The Wire, spoke about why Maryland should replicate the Harlem Children’s Zone. An extensive story in The Baltimore Sun described the Harlem Children's Zone and its potential for Maryland. Read more >>

Casey's Doug Nelson Testifies for New Poverty Measure

Doug Nelson, head of Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation, advised a congressional subcommittee that a new federal poverty measure is needed to better reflect the higher cost of raising a family in states like Maryland and the benefits of enhancing tax credits and improving food stamps use. Read more >>

Food stamp usage spikes in the region, but many still go without

The latest federal statistics indicate that nationally, participation in the low-income nutrition supplement program rose from 28.08 million in April to 29.05 million in July, the last month for which the figures are available. In the Washington area, food stamp use has risen sharply over the past year.The District had a 9.2 percent jump, from 83,000 in July 2007 to almost 91,000 in July this year. In Maryland, participation went up 14.9 percent over the same period, from 324,000 in July 2007 to almost 373,000 this past July. Read more >>

More Maryland Households Seek Aid To Make Ends Meet

Fourteen percent more households in Maryland are seeking state help to pay electric bills, which have soared 85 percent since 2006. There is an 18-percent increase in Montgomery County. Food stamp applications have increased by 17 percent in Montgomery County and 21 percent in Prince George's County.

State of Maryland's Kids: Economic Security

Thanks to the Governor and the Maryland General Assembly, the State’s lower-income families will receive larger tax refunds because of an enhancement to the State’s refundable earned income credit. This mitigates the sharp increase in the cost of making ends meet for Maryland’s families. Read more >>

Sun Calls for More Tax Credits, Cites ACY Self-Sufficiency Study

Despite a recent report of low child poverty rates in Maryland, a Sun editorial notes that many families still face economic challenges because of the high and increasing cost of raising a family in the State. A subsequent Sun feature describes the lack of financial self-sufficiency for families across the State. Read more >>

Cost of Living Increases for Families; Tax Credit Improved

In the 2007 special session of the Maryland General Assembly, working families in Maryland received a larger Refundable Earned Income Credit to offset rising costs of making ends meet, revealed by a new Advocates for Children and Youth study. Without this enhanced tax credit, these financially pressed families would have suffered significantly from new taxes and fees just approved by the General Assembly. Read more >>

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