Congress is also likely to again face issues about time limits, work requirements, access to education and training, and the balance between state discretion and additional safeguards for families. These requirements have the potential to spark a much broader national discussion about welfare reform what has worked, what hasn t, and how welfare-related laws should change to reflect the experience since 1996. Congress will also examine other opportunities to help working families Medicaid, Food Stamps, child care, and child support programs and may review restrictions on public benefits for immigrants and disabled children. Opportunities for Funders Philanthropy s goal of informing public policy should seek to create an echo chamber, through which public policy makers repeatedly hear messages about policies that help poor working families and families with serious obstacles to employment. The public and government officials will only act to improve the well-being of these families only if they are persuaded of the need to act and are informed about effective and realistic policies and programs.
Some foundations are hesitant to become much involved in public policy debates.
Controversial issues such as welfare reform make them afraid of running afoul of federal restrictions on lobbying or funding overtly political activities. Funders can, however, support projects that persuade by example local service providers who can demonstrate to policymakers successful models, lessons, and tools for replication. Creating public will Focusing on a single issue Many other exciting new opportunities exist for community, state, and regional funders to influence decision-making at all levels. Funders are now well positioned to ensure that policymakers and the public appreciate the magnitude and nature of child poverty and the opportunities to effectively support poor working families. They can convene the players early, forge alliances, and create synergy between research organizations, policy analysts, and grassroots advocates seeking to level the playing field for low-income families.