Opportunity@Work is a coalition dedicated to strengthening the financial stability of Nebraskans. The Coalition operates through public/private partnerships that balance the needs of working families, businesses and communities among diverse populations across the state.

Opportunity@Work collaborates on several fronts to strengthen workforce financial stability. These initiatives cluster under strategies that support worker success by maximizing employment opportunities and personal assets and those that support business and community success through a more stable, productive, skilled workforce.

Provided here is a list of suggested policy solutions for legislators seeking to address the issues of low- and moderate-income working families in Nebraska. Each of these solutions has been evaluated for its ability to be meaningful, measurable, effective, feasible, and have the ability to be implemented.

SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS for POLICY MAKERS

College Savings Accounts (CSA)
529 College Savings Accounts are state-sponsored, tax-preferred savings plans for post-secondary education expenses and can be essential in attaining access to post-secondary education. Learn more

Individual Development Account (IDA)
Individual Development Accounts are savings accounts in which deposits of low- and moderate-income savers are matched by funding provided through federal and state governments, foundations, or the private sector. Learn more

Expand the State Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The federal Earned Income Tax Credit is one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in the country. The EITC is a refundable tax credit provided as a work incentive to low-income Nebraskans. Learn more

Ensure Affordable, Quality Child Care
Given the importance of supporting work as a way to lift financial burdens from families, more consideration must be paid to the cost and quality of child care and the role its availability may play in prioritizing work over staying home with young children. Learn more

Eliminate Asset-Stripping in Public Benefit Program -
     Otherwise known as the "Cliff Effect"
When families do receive public assistance and attempt to transition to self-sufficiency, the eligibility levels of many programs are set so low that families are cut off the assistance before families are able to rely on their income alone. Learn More

Increase Access to Affordable Health Care
All Americans should be able to access affordable health care services when needed. We are not advocating for any particular system of coverage but rather that changes must be made to increase the affordability of health care in our country and in our state. Learn more

Regulate predatory financial services
Low-income workers are often unable to take advantage of basic financial mechanisms like savings and credit - mechanisms necessary to create financial stability and build assets. Predatory practices occur predominantly in the subprime market, taking advantage of the lack of financial products available to those with poor credit histories. Learn more.