The goal of the Income Support Access Project is
to remove barriers for low-income working families
and increase their access to income support programs.
The first phase of the project involved surveying
625 low-income households about their knowledge
and experience with food stamps, KidCare, and child
care assistance. CIR also interviewed caseworkers
at job training agencies and outreach workers and
supervisors at a range of community and government
agencies. Based on this research and in collaboration
with the project's working group, CIR has developed
policy and best practices recommendations and is
advocating with city and state agencies for their
implementation. The Mayor's Office responded to
advocacy with an outreach initiative. In September
2002, the City of Chicago began distribution of
"Keeping Chicago Affordable" brochures
at city agencies and launched a Keeping
Chicago Affordable website to publicize programs
for working families. CIR is also advocating for
demonstration projects that will test and evaluate
innovative methods for enrolling more working families
in income support programs.
