Our Approach

We’re working to advance long-term solutions to child poverty. Through the programs we support, we seek to inform sound policies at the local, state and national levels that significantly reduce the child poverty rate in Flint and elsewhere. This work requires a holistic approach. It takes a strong coalition of local organizations working together to help ensure families are thriving, basic needs are met and adults have access to work that pays a livable wage.

We have three strategies to achieve our goals.

Advancing permanent solutions to reduce child poverty.

Our grant funding supports:

• The implementation and expansion of Rx Kids in Flint, which aims to significantly reduce child poverty by providing cash payments to Flint mothers during pregnancy and throughout the first year of a child’s life.
• Efforts by a local coalition to inform sound policies, engage with state and national poverty reduction coalitions, and develop and implement media strategies to advance the work.
• Efforts by Rx Kids and advocates for child tax credits to develop a coordinated focus on guaranteed basic income and cash assistance strategies.

Expanding direct cash assistance programs through additional pilots, evidence-based programs and policy solutions.

Our grant funding supports:

• Implementation and scaling of evidence-based programs that provide direct financial support to families experiencing poverty.
• Enrollment of qualifying households in guaranteed basic income programs, which provide unrestricted regular cash payments to individuals.
• Assessment of poverty reduction programs to identify gaps and inform policy priorities.

Coordinating local programs and services to mitigate the impacts of poverty.

Our grant funding supports:

• A Flint data dashboard to measure the impact of existing programs, identify gaps and prioritize evidence-based programs that reduce child poverty.
• Local organizations and leaders to align safety-net programs and leverage resources to address the acute impacts of poverty while prioritizing systemic policy solutions.
• Work assistance and job preparation programs for households with children.