MyFriendBen and Child Poverty Action Lab Join Forces for Texas Accelerator Initiative
MyFriendBen and Child Poverty Action Lab Join Forces for Texas Accelerator Initiative
Introduction
In a significant move to combat poverty in Texas, MyFriendBen has partnered with the Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL) to introduce the Texas Accelerator. This innovative initiative aims to amplify access to public benefits, tax credits, and nonprofit programs tailored for families across the state. The program launches with a robust coalition of early adopters, including the Center for Transforming Lives (CTL) in Tarrant County, marking a pivotal step towards supporting communities in both urban and rural settings.
The Role of MyFriendBen
MyFriendBen offers a free, anonymous online tool that enables individuals to swiftly determine their eligibility for various public benefits and programs in just about six minutes. This initiative has proven impactful on a national scale, connecting over 115,000 households with an estimated $58 million in benefits. An independent evaluation by the Urban Institute highlighted that 64% of its users discovered benefits for the first time, and an impressive 93% recommended the tool to others. With Texas organizations expressing a rapidly growing demand since its availability, the Texas Accelerator is designed to address this pressing need effectively.
The Accelerator's Objectives
CPAL, which is committed to reducing child poverty, will integrate MyFriendBen's efforts into its current frameworks. As an early financial supporter, CPAL aspires to facilitate operations for MyFriendBen, shifting from its role as a backer to one that drives operational efforts across Texas.
The Texas Accelerator is set to provide essential infrastructure, encompassing the development of a testing and learning agenda, along with support to enable organizations to adopt MyFriendBen effectively. This initiative will benefit a diverse range of groups, from community organizations to health systems and educational institutions.
Pioneering Partnerships
Among the Accelerator's first collaborators is First Step Staffing, a national organization focused on assisting individuals experiencing homelessness in securing stable employment. The partnership will see MyFriendBen integrated into their workflow, assisting 100-130 individuals weekly to identify benefits that stabilize their housing, food security, and healthcare needs as they transition back into employment. This collaboration illustrates the intertwining of benefits access and workforce development, allowing individuals not only to find employment but also to lay a solid financial foundation.
Emphasis on Community Impact
In Tarrant County, the Center for Transforming Lives will anchor early implementations of the Accelerator. Since 1907, CTL has aimed to elevate families out of poverty, serving nearly 4,000 individuals annually, with 77% living below the federal poverty threshold. The introduction of MyFriendBen complements their established two-generation model, providing a practical foundation for the Accelerator to expand its coalition across Texas. Carol Klocek, CEO of CTL, emphasized that poverty often stems from systemic issues rather than individual failings. By linking families with beneficial systems, MyFriendBen plays a crucial role in breaking the cycle of poverty in their community.
Vision for Expansion
Laura Glaab, CEO of MyFriendBen, articulated the importance of scaling responsibly in Texas's diverse landscape. By collaborating with established organizations like CPAL and CTL, which have deeply intertwined missions focused on economic mobility for families, they hope to provide a more effective service in both urban and rural markets. MyFriendBen is not merely a tool; it represents a practical approach to enhancing their outreach and impact on the communities they assist.
Future Directions
The Texas Accelerator for MyFriendBen will center on three key priorities:
1. Expanding the Coalition: Focused on recruiting partners from various Texas regions and offering tailored onboarding, training, and technical support.
2. Outreach and Marketing Strategies: Implementing campaigns to discover the most effective outreach methods to engage eligible families.
3. Shared Learnings: Establishing a platform for coalition members to share insights on improving benefits access, enabling evidence-based practices across states.
The MyFriendBen Director will be stationed at CPAL in Dallas, working alongside both the national MyFriendBen team and local partners to ensure effective implementation of these strategies.
Conclusion
MyFriendBen and the Child Poverty Action Lab's collaboration marks a significant advancement in the quest to alleviate child poverty in Texas. By improving access to essential benefits and uniting community resources, they are poised to make a lasting difference in the lives of families throughout the state. Their shared commitment to economic mobility and the welfare of children signifies a hopeful path toward tackling poverty's multifaceted challenges in Texas.
About MyFriendBen
MyFriendBen is an innovative nonprofit that simplifies public benefits access for families across the U.S., promoting dignity and efficiency in the process.
About Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL)
CPAL is a Dallas-based nonprofit dedicated to reducing child poverty in the region, focusing on comprehensive strategies that address various systemic issues affecting families.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.