Economic Inequality and Child Poverty Mini-Plenary Sessions and Workshops What Works to Reduce Poverty Monday, July 23 1:30 – 3:00p.m.
Stacey Pelika, Ph.D., Research Director, Children’s Defense Fund Elaine Cunningham, Outreach Director, CDF-Minnesota The Hon. Charniele Herring, Minority Whip, Virginia House of Delegates Shannon Hughes, Coordinator, NETWORK Education Program Ed Sivak, Founder and Director, Mississippi Economic Policy Center The American social infrastructure is an often confusing conglomeration of federal and state tax credits, tax refunds, direct payments, job training and other support programs. This session will train advocates on policies and programs designed to lift children and families from poverty such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, how to get all those eligible enrolled, and how to advocate for stronger anti-poverty investments.
The Invisible Crisis: Homeless Children in America Monday, July 23 3:30 – 5:00
Stacey Pelika, Ph.D., Research Director, Children’s Defense Fund Angela Lariviere, Founder, Youth Empowerment Project of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio Sharon McDonald, Ph.D., Director for Families and Youth, National Alliance to End Homelessness Rod Podlogar, National Director, Siemer Institute for Family Stability Kevin Ryan, President and CEO, Covenant House International There are 1.6 million homeless children, or one in 45, each year in America. The recession and slow recovery have increased the numbers of homeless children and families. In addition to those who rely on shelters or stay on the streets, a rising number of children spend the night doubled up with friends or relatives or in motels. Explore changing trends in homelessness and take action to stop the normalization of shelters and the dislocation of families.
A Downward Spiral: The Erosion of Employment Opportunities for Teens, Young Adults and Young Families Tuesday, July 24 10:45 – 12:15
Stacey Pelika, Ph.D., Research Director, Children’s Defense Fund Terry Flood, Co-Founder, Executive Director and Job Counselor, Jubilee Jobs Dorothy Stoneman, Founder and President, YouthBuild USA, Inc. Andrew Sum, Ph.D., Professor of Economics and Director, Center for Labor Market Studies, Northeastern University This session will focus on the often invisible and unaddressed economic plight of young workers ages 16-29 who face an increasingly bleak job market and grave economic prospects. This age group has been the hardest hit by the recession, with employment plummeting from 67.3 percent in 2000 to 55.3 percent in 2010, the lowest employment rate since the end of World War II. Inequality in family incomes is greater among young adults than any other age group in society. Examine the high rates of unemployment and underemployment among teens and young parents and learn about promising community and state-based program and policy approaches to strengthen education and employment opportunities for teens, young adults and young families.
25 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
p (202) 628-8787
f (202) 662-3510
www.childrensdefense.org