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In partnership with others, the Institute co-sponsors large conferences to share new information and advance engagement, organizes medium sized events on specially focused issues or population interests, and convenes leadership working meetings to advance insight and action.

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Research and Projects

Communities Engaged in Asset Formation

Community-based programs have been effective over the years in stabilizing the lives of vulnerable people and taking the worst edges off of poverty. They offer a mix of services that create a baseline of support and assist more low-income working people move into jobs with family sustaining wages. But these agencies recognize that more is required to permanently alleviate poverty; programs targeting asset formation have evolved to build capacity and opportunity for financial stability.

CURRENT PROJECT

Partnership with Massachusetts Association for Community Action, Inc.

The Institute on Assets and Social Policy has teamed up with Massachusetts Association for Community Action, Inc. (MASSCAP) to expand asset formation opportunities for low-income families across Massachusetts. The MASSCAP Asset Formation Initiative's strategy is to expand free tax preparation assistance, financial literacy education, and other asset formation services for low-income people through its statewide network of community action agencies and other partners. Through its involvement, the Institute:

  • Identifies the asset formation needs of agency customers participating in free tax preparation and financial education programs.

  • Evalutes the role of earned income tax credit (EITC) and financial education participation as gateways to asset development for customer populations.

  • Develops the capacity of community action agencies in understanding asset formation as it pertains to a wide range of services offered.

The Institute provides training for agency staff who are engaged in new asset formation programs that link EITC receipt and financial literacy education to other asset building services offered through their agencies, including Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). The Institute is designing and implementing assessment processes at ten pilot sites that will provide ongoing feedback in the implementation phase and be used to report outcomes as the project progresses. Through participant surveys, the Institute is gathering information about participants' asset building experiences, behaviors, and expectations at the point of accessing services and over time. Lessons learned from these assessments will aid MASSCAP in scaling up and replicating successful asset formation practices in the 24 community action agencies across the state.

For more information about this project please contact Sandra Venner or phone 781-736-8688.

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