Until recently, the term “cliff effect” only had meaning in social service circles. Only those professionals and the people they serve have known the delicate balance of moving up the economic ladder without losing the critical benefits that make progress possible. Eighteen months into a pandemic with no certainty in sight, millions more Americans are struggling.

Moving forward out of poverty takes strategy. Roadblocks arise, and none steeper than the benefits cliffs that can occur when a family or individual begins to increase their income and see an abrupt drop in safety net benefits like food stamps, cash assistance, and childcare vouchers. Often, the dollar value of their income increase doesn’t cover the sharp decline of their state and federal benefits. This can send families spiraling – and possibly back into poverty as it’s too expensive to make more money.

Join us on September 28th for a panel discussing this experience for families – and what the human services field can do through coaching and advocacy to make a change.

Panelists include:

• Susan R. Crandall, PhD – Director for Center of Social Policy at Umass Boston
• Tammy T. Thompson, Executive Director of Catapult Greater Pittsburg
• Brittany Birken, PhD– Principal Advisor for The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

• Anne Bureau – Program Director at Worcester Community Connections Coalition
• Charla Hixson – Chief Impact Officer at Worcester Community Action Council

There will be time for Q & A towards the end of the hour.

Tuesday, September 28
3-4:30 p.m.
Register here.