Social Innovation and Community Solutions for a New War on Poverty

The nation’s safety net system is in a double bind: demand is spiking as budgets are shrinking. More than ever it’s time to take bold new approaches with potential to do more with less. On Tuesday, February 22, the Asset Building Program at the New America Foundation hosted this event to discuss an innovative antipoverty approach that demonstrates how families can work together to create economic mobility at a lower cost than many conventional programs.  

Maurice Lim Miller, social entrepreneur and founder of the Family Independence Initiative based in Oakland, CA presented his antipoverty approach that allows families to self-organize and determine the actions needed to improve their economic situation—largely without the intervention of social service providers. Miller specifically explained the mechanics of the approach and importance of recognizing the strengths of families in need and tailoring assistance to acknowledge and support those abilities.  

Marta Urquilla from the White House Domestic Policy Council’s Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation highlighted the ways the Obama Administration is looking to reward innovative solutions to community problems and that presenting positive results and evidence are critical. Urquilla noted that her work attempts to examine ways to promote collaboration between institutions and government.

Mark Greenberg, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy in the Administration for Children and Families at the Department of Health and Human Services underlined the importance of supporting policies that are evidence-based while remaining flexible because a one-size fits all approach is not always adequate or appropriate. Greenberg raised salient questions about when approaches like Miller’s substitute for established approaches and when such efforts can be complementary.

The audience posed a wide range of questions, ranging from the prospects for a sustained, large-scale effort to confront poverty; to case management and approach features such as the impact of direct and indirect cash transfers on families; and to which families benefit the most from various interventions and whether Mr. Miller’s approach amounted to “creaming.”

The event featured the release of two papers, one an essay by Mr. Miller presenting his perspective on helping launch this innovative initiative, and another which explores the policy implications of the lessons learned from the experience.

Event Materials
The Family Independence Initiative,  by Anne Stuhldreher and Rourke OBrien, New America Foundation

The Uphill Battle to Scale an Innovative Antipoverty Approach, by Maurice Miller, Family Independence Initiative

Participants

Featured Speakers
Maurice Lim Miller (presentation)
President and CEO, Family Independence Initiative

Marta Urquilla
Senior Policy Advisor
White House Domestic Policy Council’s Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation

Mark Greenberg
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Moderator
Reid Cramer
Director, Asset Building Program
New America Foundation