Assets also provide families with a means for a long-term escape from poverty. Savings can be used for education for parents and children, purchase of a home or a reliable car to get to work, or to start a small business. Perhaps most importantly, assets give parents a stake in their future. While Connecticut has begun to increase asset limits before supports are reduced, it can do more. Recognizing that families escape poverty through asset accumulation, and not income maintenance alone, a number of states have begun helping low-income families build assets through matched savings accounts.
Training is provided to participating families to enhance their skills in managing assets.
Private matching contributions can be encouraged through tax incentives. The transition from dependency to economic self-sufficiency is a process, not an event. Until parents gain the education and skills necessary to secure higher-paying jobs, reducing the families' major expenses can help free family income to meet other pressing needs. Connecticut can also reduce medical expenses by offering tax incentives to small businesses that offer health insurance to employees and their dependents, and allowing uninsured parents to buy into the state plan. Expand its family and medical leave law to provide paid leaves, minimally for those whose income is so low as to preclude a leave of any length without pay.