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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Presentation - Prosperity Initiative for Marana Update PresentationTHE PROSPERITY INITIATIVE Creating community wealth by addressing generational poverty and improving opportunity •Pima County’s poverty rate of 15.1%is higher than 9 of the 11 comparison cities in the western U.S. •Marana’s poverty rate is 5.6% overall and 6% for children. 2 FOUR APPROACHES 1.Preventing poverty 2.Alleviating suffering 3.Aiding transition to economic stability 4.Addressing structures in a community Hard Differentiators: Bridges Community of Practice Model FOUR APPROACHES 1.Preventing poverty 2.Alleviating suffering 3.Aiding transition to economic stability 4.Addressing structures in a community Hard Differentiators: Bridges Community of Practice Model PURPOSE To develop a set of policies options that: Are research and evidence-based Guide long-term efforts to create community wealth by addressing generational poverty and improving opportunity o while also addressing the immediate needs of those currently experiencing poverty o for adoption or adaptation by local governments The Prosperity Initiative is an opportunity to be architects of change for the next generation. UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA RESEARCHERS Brian Mayer, Professor School of Sociology Keith Bentele, SIROW Associate Research Professor Brian Mayer is a Professor of Sociology with the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences with expertise in the area of poverty as well as other areas.Dr. Mayer supported the Tucson Mayor's Poverty Commission from 2012-2014. He also developed the experiential learning Tucson Poverty Project class that incorporates community-based research approaches and has received recognition for his innovative work in teaching and community engagement. His work in environmental sociology has examined the role of community activism and participation in the identification and management of potential environmental health risks. Keith Bentele, PhD, is an Associate Research Professor with the Southwest Institute of Research on Women (SIROW) in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and holds a Ph.D. in Sociology. Dr. Bentele’s research has examined state-level poverty rates, inequality, homelessness, and the generosity and accessibility of various safety- net programs. He is interested in policy-relevant research with the potential to reduce poverty and homelessness. His specific areas of methodological expertise are in the use of quantitative methods and statistics. TIMELINE: TWO PHASES Phase 1: Policy Development Dec. to September 2023 Working Group meets Stakeholder Meetings and Listening Sessions Develop five to ten policies for review and to be considered for adoption Goal: By April, 2 to 3 policy recommendations for Tucson’s Mayor and Council By September, 5 to 7 more polices to all area municipalities Phase 2:Operational Review Starts January 2024 Working Group reviews current programming and resource allocation to align with the adopted policies Stakeholder Meetings and Listening Sessions for input on implementation ideas STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 93 meetings 3 Listening sessions ~270 people National experts BLUE TEXT = IN DEVELOPMENT PURPLE TEXT = INVESTIGATING WHAT HAS THE RESEARCH SHOWN US? 1.The highest returns target low-income children throughout childhood early care and education access to health insurance college attainment 2.High returns also for policies and programs targeting adults that have children when there are spillover effects to the children access to housing in high opportunity neighborhoods for families with young children. INCREASE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN FROM LOW -INCOME FAMILIES, AGES BIRTH TO FIVE. Short term impact 1.Children are better prepared for Kindergarten 2.Health and cognitive problems are caught and addressed earlier 3.Parents are more able to work or further their education and training 4.Employers can count on more productive employees. Long term impact Children are more likely to: graduate from high school have higher incomes be healthier less involved in the criminal justice system These successes provide lasting benefits to families, schools, employers, taxpayers and the community. PEEPS SURVEY RESULTS –RETURNING TO WORK Early Childhood Education helped parents return to work. Overall, 291 (59%) of parents indicated going back to work / increasing work hours was “very important”to their decision to enroll their child in preschool. Not important at all, 18% Somewhat Important, 19% Very Importa nt, 59% Importance of PEEPs for parent employment (n= 473)$ IMPLEMENTATION IDEAS Low cost: Increase awareness of free/low- cost early care and education opportunities (marketing, connecting employers, etc.) Low Cost: Advocate for increased wages for childcare professionals at state and federal level for sustained funding Medium Cost: Increase the number of early care and education professionals (on the job training, apprenticeships, support for certificate/degree programs) High Cost: Tuition scholarships and facility improvements/expansion HOUSING MOBILITY & HOUSING STABILITY Improves health of the family Children were found to have substantially higher lifetime earnings (300,000 on average) and college attendance rates Eviction prevention Home ownership opportunities Preservation of affordable housing Weatherization Access to fair credit/loans for purchase and home improvements Consumer protections Mobility Stability TRANSPORTATION •Pima County families at 80% of AMI spend 27%on transportation. •Access to transportation reduces barriers to employment, to educational opportunities, to health care, and to childcare. •Transportation shapes the “geography of opportunity” for many children and youth. Increase transportation options to connect disadvantaged communities to jobs and resources Leading researchers recommend •improving traffic safety •reducing exposure to transportation created pollutants •reducing commute to work times •reducing transportation costs •the value of involving underrepresented communities in planning and decisions. ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE & HEALTH SERVICES 1.Access to health insurance and services improving health outcomes and reducing medical debt 2.Health workforce development that leads to better paying jobs and a more diverse workforce 3.Home visitation for families with young children WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT •Prioritize populations with additional barriers •Focus on “good jobs” with longevity, self-sufficiency wages and benefits •Incorporate workplace-based learning such as apprenticeships and internships •Increase use of supportive services and extend the time frame that support services are provided POST SECONDARY EDUCATION Increase completion rates for college, certificates, and other post-secondary education for low-income individuals that lead to higher paying and more stable employment. Consider tuition support as “last dollar” Include certificate programs Connect to CSAs, Earn to Learn, and Arizona Promise Promote career exploration in middle and high school Provide or support coaching and services to help families put financial resources and career pathways together DIGITAL INCLUSION Ensure all Pima County residents can fully participate in the digital experience and economy through the expansion of broadband infrastructure. Address barriers so all Pima County residents have access, equipment, and skills for digital inclusion FINANCIAL CAPABILITY There is extensive research on the importance of financial capacity building for families to obtain and protect assets and wealth, as well as avoid financial pitfalls. One result could be around the creation of Financial Opportunity Centers that focus on 3 areas: 1.Financial coaching 2.Employment services 3.Access to other services BUNDLING POLICIES CAN HAVE A GREATER EFFECT QUESTION REFLECTIONS DISCUSSION Bonnie Bazata (520) 724-3704 (office) (520) 247-6011 (cell) bonnie.bazata@pima.gov Keith G. Bentele, PhD Associate Research Professor Southwest Institute for Research on Women keithb@email.arizona.edu