Neighbors Helping Neighbors Out of Poverty Texas Panhandle Regional Community Asset Building Forum Thursday, April 19, 2012 Presented by: Camille D. Miller – Texas Health Institute (TBB State Affiliate) Leslie Winder – Solutions for Progress Ralph Gildehaus - MDC

Texas Health Institute Mission: To improve the health of Texans and their communities. THI: 501(c)(3) statewide nonprofit since

The Beginning The Annie E. Casey Foundation Study “access to care” for kids in Texas 2 Casey Fellows 3

Texas Unclaimed Federal Dollars Per Year* SNAP (food stamps)$ 4.8 Billion EITC (tax credit) $ Million SCHIP (children’s health) $ Million Children’s Medicaid (children’s health) $ Million Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (prescriptions) $ Million Pell Grants (college tuition)$ Million Total $ 8.3 Billion *Represents most recent data available: SNAP–2010, EITC-TY2009, SCHIP-2009, Medicaid-2007, Medicare , Pell Grants

A Solution A tool that: Supports workers Stabilizes families Strengthens communities 5

The Benefit Bank of Texas A counselor-assisted one-stop service An eligibility calculator An application completion tool A free income tax assistance program Offered where people live, learn, work, play, and pray 6

Vision: To build a diverse network of volunteer and professional counselors at: community organizations businesses churches health care social service providers United in helping the 17.1%* of Texans in need. The Benefit Bank of Texas *US Census Bureau 2009, Poverty Population Numbers 7

The Benefit Bank of Texas Current Programs: SNAP (Food Stamps) Medicaid - CHIP, Perinatal CHIP, Medicaid for Children, Medicaid for Pregnant women, Medicaid for parents/caretakers of Medicaid children with income below TANF needs limit, Retroactive Medicaid and Spend down Medicaid TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Federal Taxes - Earned Income Tax Credit, Childcare Credits FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Voter’s Registration 8

Family Budget on Low Wages Alone (1 adult in college with 2 children) Expenses exceed income by:$ 16,096 9

Family Budget with Probable Work Supports (1 adult in college with 2 children) 10

2011 Milestones May, Legislative Rider included in 2011 Texas Appropriations Bill May, The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation funds the upper 26 counties of Region 1 June, The Wal-Mart Foundation funds the lower 15 counties of Region 1 July Region 1 Advisory Leadership Committee formed November The Meadows Foundation funds statewide implementation November State Director hired 11

2012 Milestones January Federal Income Tax electronically submitted January TBB-TX electronic submission Pilot Project launched in Amarillo February THI Board approved sites membership/recruitment statewide March MOU signed with HHSC for electronic submission March Electronic submission to HHSC launched 12

Making Headway Amarillo in Region 1, has launched TBB-TX in 25 sites with 73 counselors trained and helping people in need. Dallas/Fort Worth in Region 3, we have 11 sites and others pending. Austin in Region 7, we have 8 sites and others pending. Houston/Gulf Coast area in Region 6, we have 13 sites and are working with Children’s Defense Fund on a project utilizing TBB-TX in high schools in Houston and 6 other independent school districts (17 schools). 13

TBB-TX Staff Camille D. Miller President and CEO Texas Health Institute (512) Connie Chavez Region 1 Coordinator The Benefit Bank of Texas , Ext. 222 Sherry Wilkie-Conway COO Texas Health Institute (512) Diana Maldonado State Director of The Benefit Bank of Texas Texas Health Institute (512) Amanda Royston Vice President Events, Education, Marketing and Communication Texas Health Institute (512)

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Out of Poverty Texas Panhandle Regional Community Asset Building Forum: A Call to Action Amarillo, Texas Thursday, April 19,

Mission-driven private-sector company committed to assisting low- and moderate-income individuals and families to sustainably move out of poverty through the practical application of innovative technology and public policy. The challenge of our work: Overcoming vs. Managing Poverty Solutions for Progress 16

What We Do Actionable anti-poverty research –Analysis of federal & state policy implementation –Comparisons of need vs. delivery Usable technology solutions –Expert systems made simple to use –Secure, rapidly responsive to change Practical civic engagement approaches –Local public-private partnerships –Supported by experienced national partners 17

Work and Income Supports Underutilized Nationally, only 7.2% of households eligible for EITC, SNAP, health insurance, and child care subsidies claim all four $70 billion in critical work supports unclaimed by Americans annually Provides an opportunity to move families out of poverty and toward self-sufficiency 18

The Challenge Medical Benefits FAFSA SNAP Help with Federal/State Taxes Many stops, long lines, time missed from work 19

Civic Engagement Faith congregations Health & social service organizations Food and nutrition organizations Community-based organizations Prisoner reentry programs Homeless shelters Public agencies Home ownership programs Asset building programs Where People Live, Work, Play, Pray & Learn FBCO/Independent Sector Volunteer/Worker Caseworker State Affiliate Capacity building Outreach Multiple access approaches Self-Service Client Mobile Assistance 20

DORevenue DOCorrections State/County Workers Eligibility determination Payment Case control Federal IRS SSA DoEd TBB™ Online Service FBCO/Independent Sector Volunteer/Worker Caseworker State Affiliate Capacity building Outreach Multiple access approaches Self-Service Client Mobile Assistance State Self Service Common link to back-end The Benefit Bank is Client-Centered for Applications to Multiple Program-Centered Government Systems Civic Engagement + Expert Technology 21

The Benefit Bank Online Service Service free to clients & sites Work & income supports including tax preparation on a single platform An expert system supporting –Eligibility assessment –Application form completion –Electronic and paper application filing Volunteer-Counselor, Professional, and Self-Service 22

How TBB Works Client chooses/enters own access password Simple questions/answers Explanatory help pop ups Expertise is in the service Electronic filing with printed copy for client Detailed follow up instructions for client No information retained on local computer 23

Reporting Sophisticated aggregated-data reports May include any client data including demographic factors, income, expenses categories Available both as: –Automated reports delivered on weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual basis –On demand reports/charts/graphs including GIS-mapped 24

Centralized & secure service operation –Fully hosted operations at secure location –HIPAA compliant Federal & state rule changes –Tracked by in-house lawyers & public policy analysts through direct involvement with advocates, agencies & outside experts –Implemented by experienced technology staff using custom development environment Affiliate & counselor support –Site services –Counselor training (Train the Trainer) –Live Help desk Service Operations 25

© Solutions for Progress, Inc TBB SSI/SSDI Serves: Adult SSI/SSDI claimants living with disabilities, particularly those with serious mental illness Assists: Trained representatives develop and submit initial application and/or reinstatement Supports: Extensive document management & coordination requirements Incorporates: Best aspects of advocacy and agency approaches 26

Unprecedented Resource for Vets A trusted service providing unbiased and accurate eligibility assessment Complete application filing Referral to additional Vets resources 27

TBB Veterans Education Benefits Military Records –Request records with TBB completed form –Input records for eligibility assessment Supported Programs (Eligibility and Application) –Yellow Ribbon –Post-9/11 GI Bill –Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty –Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve –Reserve Education Assistance –Veterans Education Assistance Program –Non-Contributory VEAP –Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment 28

Growth of TBB Online Service 29

Proven Success in Multiple States Ohio Benefit Bank Recognized as most successful outreach program in US 5,000+ counselors at over 1,200 sites helped families claim $534 million in supports since

51% of respondents said they would have been unlikely or very unlikely to apply for benefits without OBB. More than 48% of clients participating had completed the application process with the county and an additional 40.5% planned to go within 12 – 35 days of visiting an OBB site. OBB Increases Access to Benefits Follow-through was High Study on the Impact of the Ohio Benefit Bank 31

72% who completed the process reported being approved for benefits. By Phase 2, 55% of respondents who completed the process reported their food situation as much better or better. The OBB experience was positive, helpful, and easy to access. 83% of OBB client respondents rated their OBB experience as excellent or good. Study on the Impact of the Ohio Benefit Bank “ The Benefit Bank provided a wonderful service. Very convenient and the lady was really respectful and compassionate.” - Ohio Benefit Bank Client - “ The Benefit Bank provided a wonderful service. Very convenient and the lady was really respectful and compassionate.” - Ohio Benefit Bank Client - Clients Obtain Needed Benefits Clients had a Positive Experience 32

TBB is Different Tax returns and benefit applications prepared on and filed from single platform Wide range of benefits supported Maintained at all times in conformance with up-to-date federal and state regulations Electronic filing of tax returns and benefit applications Volunteer counselor, professional and self-service access to single service Breadth of field experience available to states, statewide affiliates and sites 33

Learnings Right technology tightly coupled with civic engagement is critical Partnership between Affiliate and State & County agencies key to maximizing access Social sector partners drive new areas of focus (FAFSA, Veterans, Disability) This model works 34

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Out of Poverty Leslie Winder Director of Strategic Partnerships

Replicating and Expanding Outreach Using The Benefit Bank ® in Texas and Other States 36

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Work Supports Initiative: Collaboration between experienced organizations 44-year-old national nonprofit that demonstrates & incubates social innovations Helps organizations and communities close the gaps that separate people from opportunity Developer/operator of The Benefit Bank online service Policy focus on overcoming poverty and unequal access Statewide Affiliates manage and implement outreach using The Benefit Bank 38

TBB-SC Regional Coordinators: County Assignments

Active TBB-SC Sites 40

TBB-SC Completed Applications 41

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 Estimated return of over $52 million in benefits to SC citizens  Filed over $3 million in state and federal tax returns  Completed over 20,000 applications estimated worth $2 million/month  Since 2010, served over 23,000 family members  Awarded a grant to build SC DSS eGateway  Received CHIPRA technology grant to build SC DHHS eGateway TBB-SC Milestones Since

Assets for Education and Employment Train and provide technical assistance to Success Coaches placed at community colleges. These coaches provide three elements of an integrated service delivery model: –Employment and career advancement –Financial coaching and asset building –Connect students with work and income supports Based upon Centers for Working Families in community colleges approach –MDC manages a network of community college sites for the Annie E. Casey Foundation –Community-based organizations extend reach and impact of outreach efforts to low-income communities 44

Supports Increase Stability Improve economic capabilities of students and their families Support special outreach to veterans and mature students Connect eligible students with supports Increase students’ financial stability and career readiness Increase college retention and graduation rates Improve economic and educational capabilities of applicants and incoming students Provide financial literacy & career advice Increase income to colleges Strengthen relationships with employers in region

Integrated Support Services Model Guilford Technical Community College Enrollment numbers were up by 10% following the Great Recession Center for Working Families integrated support services, including counseling using The Benefit Bank, provided to eligible students Retention rate increased by 25% among participating students Increased tuition revenues fund the work of Success Coaches 46

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Ralph Gildehaus Senior Fellow (919) MDC 307 West Main Street Durham, NC Contact information 52

Thank You Questions? 53