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Building On What Works to Lift Illinois Families Out of Poverty

(Undated) -- A new report recommends a “two-generation” approach to break the cycle of poverty. The Annie E. Casey Foundation says programs and policies that address the educational and economic needs of both parents and children can help low-income families thrive. Larry Joseph with Voices for Illinois Children says the report emphasizes using current programs to provide parents and children pathways to financial stability. Joseph says high-quality early education provides lifelong benefits for children, but too few have access to it in Illinois. The report also shows how programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Earned Income Tax Credit are tools that can lift families out of poverty. There are calls to increase the state E-I-T-C in Illinois to 20 percent of the federal credit; it’s currently only 10 percent.

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