Please join the Raising RI Coalition* for our 2023 Kick-Off Event on March 7, 2023 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the RI State House Library.
Come advocate for improvements to Rhode Island Works, the state’s cash and workforce readiness program, that can help end deep child poverty in Rhode Island. These improvements will:
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Protect Rhode Island children and families from deep poverty and the effects of inflation: Increase the benefit to 50% FPL with a cost-of-living adjustment built in so the benefit would continue to be adjusted to follow increases in the FPL. Currently the benefit ($721 per month for a family of three) is equal to only 38% of the poverty level, and without a cost-of-living increase the benefit will continue to lose value.
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Undo harm to children: Eliminate the full family sanction which falls disproportionately on parents who have significant barriers, including physical and mental health challenges, limited education, and domestic violence and does not improve program compliance.
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Support the well-being of immigrant families: Eliminate the five-year waiting period for Legal Permanent Residents in the program, a waiting period that was only introduced in 2008.
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Promote child and maternal health: Provide benefits to pregnant people from the onset of their pregnancy, rather than waiting until their third trimester so pregnant people can meet their basic needs and have healthy births.
We hope to see you there!
dedicated to lifting children out of poverty in Rhode Island.
