Thriving Providers Project (2023)

Benefits Protection Toolkit

This benefits protection toolkit is a step-by-step guide to develop and integrate a benefits protection strategy into your Direct Cash Transfer (DCT) program design. The steps are intended to be followed in the order they appear, but the toolkit also offers prompts to skip steps when they are not applicable. It is recommended this toolkit be used at the early stages of the program design process for any new pilot or program, as the timelines to protect benefits can be long, and the mitigation strategies can also include changes to the program design. This toolkit includes a set of customizable templates, letters, and other tools which should be downloaded and modified for your pilot and local context.

Equity and Transformation, 2023

The Vision for Drug War Reparations

Equity and Transformation, in partnership with the Illinois Reparations Committee fights for reparations, especially around the War on Drugs. The Vision for Drug War Reparations, while not an explicit piece of legislation, outlines the policy demands that must be met in order to win comprehensive reparations in Illinois including the satisfaction, compensation, restitution, rehabilitation, and guarantees of non-repetition for communities harmed.

BIG Conference (2023)

The Importance of a Diverse Policy Landscape in Early Stage Movement Building: State of the Work, and Next Areas to Pursue

In the early stages of movement building, having a broad range of policy efforts is critical: different policy efforts can help inform design requirements, be a forcing function for tool and infrastructure design, and provide opportunities for the public and politicians alike to engage with the ideas behind basic income and its role in transforming the economy and society. This plenary will highlight the current work being done in the policy space, including the opportunities these different efforts provide for informing potential north star federal policy, as well as begin to identify gaps in knowledge or open questions we need to answer to better lay the groundwork for a national basic income.

Point Source Youth (2023)

Direct Cash Transfer: Placing power and resources directly in the hands of young people

The Trust Youth Initiative, a joint effort from Point Source Youth, the Ali Forney Center, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago and UpTogether, is the first study of the effectiveness of direct cash transfers (DCT) with optional supportive services for youth experiencing homelessness. The participants in the New York City-based project (ages 18–24) receive $1,150 on a monthly basis for up to 2 years. With the support of the Economic Security Project, we have undertaken a video storytelling project to showcase the initial experiences of young adults who received the first round of direct cash transfers in New York City. Watch and share our video on the impact and growing body of evidence that shows that DCT can support youth and improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

California Legislature (2023)

Homeless Pupils: California Success, Opportunity, and Academic Resilience (SOAR) Guaranteed Income Program

This bill, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature, would require the State Department of Social Services to establish the California Success, Opportunity, and Academic Resilience (SOAR) Guaranteed Income Program. The program would award public school pupils who are in grade 12 and are homeless children or youths, as defined, a guaranteed income of $1,000 each month for 5 months during a transition period from high school to eligible participants.

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