CWU initiates workers self-sufficiency legislation
After speaking with participants and staff and reviewing current policy and research Crittenton Women’s Union (CWU) felt it was critical to focus legislative efforts on access to education and training for low-income non-traditional students. Time after time we hear stories of the barriers this population is facing when trying to access the education and training they need to become self-sufficient. Financial aid has become almost nonexistent for part-time and less than part time students in Massachusetts. There is also an inadequate support system in place to assist low-income workers in successful completion of their programs. Low-income workers trying to care for a family, hold down a job and pay the bills are simply struggling to find the time and money to access education and training. The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education recently found that those with the lowest income are spending almost 40% of their income annually on education and training in MA. With all of these barriers present for low-income workers, CWU felt it was time to address this longstanding issue.
With the support of many partners, CWU crafted comprehensive legislation, filed in the Massachusetts Legislature in January, to address the pressing need for expanded investment in the education and training of low-income workers. Sen. James B. Eldridge (D-Acton), with the support of Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry (D-Dorchester), introduced the The Workers Pathways to Self-Sufficiency Act of 2009 (The Act) in the Senate for the 2009 session.
The Act recapitalizes the Educational Rewards Grant Program for working adults and provides pilot funding for student success programs to help Educational Rewards students stay in school. It also requires the Department of Transitional Assistance to encourage low-income parents receiving assistance to pursue the vocational education training necessary to obtain family-supporting jobs.
The Act is a vehicle for economic growth and is an investment that will aid low-income workers in achieving jobs with self-sustaining wages. Investing in the education and training of our low-income workers is just as important as investing in our roads and bridges.
Call your representative and senator and ask them to sign on as a cosponsor today!
If you don’t know who your state senator or representative is,
visit www.wheredoivotema.com or call 617.722.2000
Chelsea Lettieri, MSW
Public Policy Coordinator
Crittenton Women's Union
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4 comments
It is really true that many of the families
It is really true that many of the families spend almost half of the family income just to send their child to the college universities. With the present situation of the economy it is harder for the parents to find way to send their child. So, most students would probably look for something or a job to sustain their education. Thankfully, parents can obtain payday loans anytime they feel the need for help making ends meet. The economy is still making hard hits, as the unemployment rate continues to rise, leaving diminishing hope that things will get better anytime soon. You see, I am currently working in an industry that is failing nationwide. They have cut my hours and I am afraid the layoff-axe will soon be coming down on me. So I decided to begin my search of a new career opportunity that best matches my field. When I last paid a visit to my payday loans’ source, I found an interesting article that goes over some of the best careers out there, the best businesses to start and the best states to start them in. Turns out higher education and health care are pretty much recession-proof.
We have spent half of the
We have spent half of the money for children education.I think this is needed by every children.So that we have to do some additional works for the future financial crisis.
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gomez
administration jobs
Everything said so far is very true
Everything said so far is very true. However, it sounds to me like this legislation is focused more on non-traditional low-income students heading back to school or get training later on in life. While the cost for traditional students..."kids"(going strait through after high school) is extremely high as well (there is no denying that), low-income non-traditional students are facing unique barriers. Many times these students have families already and are trying to balance a job, taking care of their family and go back to school or enter a training program. The inability to afford training and education is a huge barrier preventing many of these families from entering the middle class. Additionally, in MA there is only one grant program that aids less than part-time students (Ed Rewards as mentioned above). With MA having one of the most expensive public education systems in the country and having the worst (49th out of 50 to be exact) investments in financial aid, this population in particular is suffering. So while traditional students need help and have a loud voice when it comes to this issue...it is time we start supporting the non-traditional low-income students as well that are trying to attain the skills they need to get jobs that pay self-sufficient wages! This will also contribute to the growth of the MA economy as it will improve the investment we make in our workforce.
i think supporting students
i think supporting students through grant programs and scholarships is a much better idea then sending people to get any kind of loan! so many people are facing debt and are in loan default right now. We need to support legislation that increases the financial aid support we give to low-income non-traditional students!