Post on 24-Dec-2015
Research conducted by:Marsha R. B. Schachtel
Shelley E. SpruillJohns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies
ACS – General Membership Meeting Report ReleaseSeptember 21, 2011
Making Ends Meet in Howard County
ACS – “Work Support Initiative”
An Inclusive Customer Centric Model
CustomerThe Working Poor
Employment
Health Care
Education
Housing
Child Care
Training
Transportation
Socialization
Mentoring
Community
Inclusion
Family
Income Support
Programs
Money Managemen
t
Focus
Group
Outputs
Monitoring of Policy Changes
I Self-sufficiency income in Howard County and effects of increasing wages on eligibility for work support programs
II Portrait of Howard County’s working poor ◦ profile◦ citizenship◦ educational attainment◦ household composition◦ Individual income
III Paths to self-sufficiency ◦ projected growth industries in Maryland ◦ occupations that pay self-sufficiency wages◦ training and education needed to obtain jobs within growth industries
Study Elements
Cost of Living in Howard County1
One Adult
Two Adults
Two Adults
One Infant
One Adult Two Teens
One Adult Two
Preschoolers
Major Costs per year
Housing 14,220 14,220 17,064 17,064 17,064Child Care 0 0 11,280 0 21,180Food 2,748 5,412 6,612 10,236 5,532Transportation
3,120 6,024 6,096 3,120 3,192
Health Care 1,764 4,932 5,076 5,076 4,452Miscellaneous
2,184 3,060 4,608 996 5,148
Taxes 7,476 8,784 12,792 8,388 15,432Self-Sufficiency Annual Income
31,517 ($14.9/hr)
42,432($10.2/hr)
63,537($15.3/hr)
47,437($22.8/hr)
72,000($34.6/hr)
Federal Poverty Level 2009
10,830 14,570 18,310 18,310 18,310
1 Howard County Maryland Self-Sufficiency Indicators Report (2009 and 2010) based
on the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Maryland updated in 2007 by the Center for
Women’s Welfare, University of WashingtonI. HC Self-Sufficiency
“Working Poor Individual”
HC self-sufficiency wage $31,5172009 FPL -$10,830 Difference $20,687
Minimum wage: $7.25/hour
20 hours/week = $145 ($7,540) 30 hours/week= $217.5 ($11,310)40 hours/week = $290 ($15,080)60 hours/week = $435 ($22,620)80 hours/week= $580 ($30,160)
There are 29,284 working poor individuals (17+) in Howard County
I. HC Self-Sufficiency
Household composition
FPL (2009)
Howard County self-sufficiency income
(% of FPL)One adult $10,830 $31,517 (291%)
2 adults $14,570 $42,432 (291%)
2 adults and one infant
$18,310 $63,537 (347%)
1 adult and two teens
$18,310 $47,437 (259%)
1 adult and two preschoolers
$18,310 $72,000 (393%)
Working Poor Households
I. HC Self-Sufficiency
7750 working poor households in Howard County
FoodSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs)Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Supplemental Program (WIC)
HousingHouse Choice Voucher ProgramPublic Housing UnitsEviction Prevention Assistance
HealthMedicaidPrimary Adult Care (PAC)Maryland Children’s Health Programs (MCHP)
Financial and Bill PaymentTemporary Cash Assistance (TCA)Home Energy Assistance (MEAP and EUSP)
Child Care Child Care SubsidyHead Start
HC Public Assistance (Work Support) Programs
I. HC Self-Sufficiency
7.25/hr, 20 hrs/wk
($7,540)
7.25/hr, 30 hrs/wk
($11,310)
7.25/hr , 40 hrs/wk
($15,080)
9.25/hr ($19,240)
11.25/hr ($23,400)
13.25/hr ($27,560)
15.25/hr ($31,720)
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$0
$2,000
$4,000
$6,000
$8,000
Hourly Wages (Annual Earnings)
Re
so
urc
es M
inu
s E
xp
en
se
s (
An
nu
al)
Loss of Earned Income Tax Credit
Loss of Food Stamps
Loss of Primary Adult Care
Loss of Eviction Prevention
s
Loss of Food Bank Grants
Loss of Home Energy Assistance
Loss of Eligibility for Public Housing
Loss of Tax Assistance
I. HC Self-Sufficiency
Work Support Effect (as wages increase)1 adult
7.25/hr, 20 hrs/wk
($7,540)
7.25/hr, 30 hrs/wk
($11,310)
7.25/hr, 40 hrs/wk
($15,080)
9.25/hr ($19,240)
11.25/hr ($23,400)
13.25/hr ($27,560)
15.25/hr ($31,720)$1,000
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
$5,000
$6,000
$7,000
$8,000
Hourly Wages (Annual Earnings)
Re
so
urc
es M
inu
s E
xp
en
se
s (
An
nu
al
Ea
rnin
gs)
Loss of TCA
Loss of SNAP
FARM Benefits Reduced
Loss of Medicaid Eligibility
Loss of HCVP
Loss of Eviction Prevention
I. HC Self-Sufficiency
Work Support Effect1 adult; 2 teens
7.25/hr, 20 hrs/wk
($7,540)
7.25/hr, 30 hrs/wk
($11,310)
7.25/hr, 40 hrs/wk
($15,080)
9.25/hr ($19,240)
11.25/hr ($23,400)
13.25/hr ($27,560)
15.25/hr ($31,720)
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$0
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
Hourly Wages (Annual Earnings)
Re
so
urc
es M
inu
s E
xp
en
se
s (
An
nu
al
Ea
rnin
gs)
Loss of TCA
Loss of Food Stamps
Loss of HCVP
Loss of Eviction Prevention
Loss of Child Care Subsidy
Loss of Head Start
Loss of Medicaid
I. HC Self-Sufficiency
Work Support Effect 1 adult; 2 preschoolers
7.25/hr, 20 hrs/wk
($15,080)
7.25/hr, 30 hrs/wk
($22,620)
7.25/hr, 40 hrs/wk
($30,160)
9.25/hr ($38,480)
11.25/hr ($46,800)
13.25/hr ($55,120)
15.25/hr ($63,440)
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$0
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
Hourly Wages (Annual Earnings)
Re
so
urc
es M
inu
s E
xp
en
se
s (
An
nu
al)
Loss of Primary Adult Care
Loss of EITC
Loss of Food Stamps
Loss of Eviction Prevention
Loss of HCVP
Loss of Food Bank Grants
Loss of Home Energy Assistance
Loss of Tax Assistance
Loss of Public Housing Eligibility
Work Support Effect2 adult family
I. HC Self-Sufficiency
7.25/hr, 20 hrs/wk
($15,080)
7.25/hr, 30 hrs/wk
($22,620)
7.25/hr, 40 hrs/wk
($30,160)
9.25/hr ($38,480)
11.25/hr ($46,800)
13.25/hr ($55,120)
15.25/hr ($63,440)
$16,000
$14,000
$12,000
$10,000
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$0
Hourly Wages (Annual Earnings)
Re
so
urc
es M
inu
s E
xp
en
se
s (
An
nu
al)
Loss of Medicaid Loss of
Food Stamps
Loss of HCVP
Lose Eviction Prevention
Loss of Child Care Subsidy
Loss of Food Bank Grants& Home Energy Assistance
Loss of WIC
Loss of MCHP
Loss of EITC
Loss Public Housing Eligibility
I. HC Self-Sufficiency
Work Support Effect2 adults; 1 infant
All Howard County
Working Poor
Working age (17-64) 92% 97%
Female 50.7% 58.8%
Marital Status Married Separated Never Married
59%
1.9%27.9%
49%
3.1%38.2%
Hispanic/Latino/Spanish 5% 10%
Ability to Speak English (not well or at all)
7% 19%
Profile of the Working Poor
Source: Census Bureau’s Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) for the two PUMAs (Public Use Microdata Areas) that comprise Howard County (901 and 902)
II. HC Working Poor
U.S. citizen 76%
Born in PR, Guam, USVI, No. Marianas
<1%
Born abroard to American parents
2%
U.S. citizen by naturalization
11%
Not a U.S. citizen11%
Citizenship Status
II. HC Working Poor
26%One adult
32% one adult w/
children
13%two adults
24%two adultsw/children
3% threeadults
2% three adults w/children
Household Composition
II. HC Working Poor
19% $10,830-$14,999
20%$15,000-$19,999
25%$20,000-$24,999
20%$25,000-
$29,999
16%$30,000-$31,517
Individual Income
II. HC Working Poor
Working Poor
Employment Status 16+Working Poor
Howard
County
Civilian Employed 89% 70%
Unemployed 5% 3%
Not in Labor Force 6% 27%
III. Paths toSelf-Sufficiency
Industry Working Poor
Howard Co
Retail trade 16.6% 8.6%
Education services 11.0%
23.0%Medical services (medical offices, hospitals, nursing care) 10.5%
Miscellaneous services (repair, personal, private households)
8.8% 5.3%
Entertainment, arts & recreation (65% eating, drinking and other food services)
8.6% 5.5%
Construction 8.4% 5.3%
Professional, scientific & technical services 8.3% 19.4%
Administrative services 7.2% *
Finance, insurance, real estate, rental/leasing 5.6% 7.4%
Transportation & warehousing 4.2% 2.8%
Manufacturing 2.6% 6.0%
All other 4.6% 6.5%
Employment by Industry
*Included in “other“III. Paths toSelf-Sufficiency
Management & Professional
Service Sales and Of-fice
Construction & Repair
Production & Transportation
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
18%
33% 33%
8% 8%
59%
10%
22%
5% 5%
Working PoorHoward County
Employment by Occupation
III. Paths toSelf-Sufficiency
Source: 2007-2009 American Community Survey
Educational Services --10.5%*◦ Teachers at all levels, with some exceptions for pre-school
Medical Services --20.6%*◦ RNs, OT, PT, medical, dental assistants, Medical transcriptionists
Other Services-- 12.3%*◦ Hairdressers, Automotive service technicians, Supervisors/managers of
personal services workers
Entertainment, Arts & Recreation –11.5%
Food Services & Accommodation-- 9.7%*◦ Chefs & head cooks, Supervisors/managers of food prep & serving
workers, Cooks- short order
Construction--8.5%*◦ Carpenters, Drywall & ceiling tile installers, Electricians, Painters,
Plumbers, Highway maintenance workers
Growing Industries & Occupations Paying Self-Sufficiency Wages in
MD*projected growth 2008-2018
III. Paths toSelf-
Sufficiency
Source: MD Dept of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services -- 24.8%◦ Computer support specialists, Network & computer systems administrators
Administrative & Support Services --14.8%◦ Customer service representatives, Supervisors/managers of
housekeeping/janitorial, Supervisors/managers of landscapers, Tree trimmers & pruners, Correctional officers, Private detectives & investigators
Finance & Insurance --5.3%◦ Accountants & auditors
Transportation & Warehousing --4.1%◦ Bus drivers, Truck drivers
Social Assistance --19.7%◦ School counselors, Mental health counselors, Social workers
Growing Industries & Occupations Paying Self-Sufficiency Wages in
MD
Source: MD Dept of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
III. Paths toSelf-
Sufficiency
Industry: Medical
Maryland Employment 2008 268,660
Percentage of HC working pooremployed in this industry in 2009 10.5%
2008 – 2018 Expected Growth 20.6%
Paths to Self-Sufficiency: An Example
III. Paths toSelf-
Sufficiency
III. Paths toSelf-
Sufficiency
Medical Services Occupations
Education/Training Needed
Average Annual Earnings
Registered Nurses Certificate/Associate's $77,880 Occupational Therapist
AssistantsAssociate's degree; Must pass national certifying exam
$63,540
Physical Therapist Assistants Associate's degree
$54,520
Dental Assistants On-the-job training/1 year training program/Associate's degree; HS diploma required
$36,230
Medical Assistants On-the-job training/1-2 year training programs/ Associate's degree; HS diploma preferred if not required
$31,190
Medical Transcriptionists 1 year certificate/Associate's degree
$35,240
How do the working poor balance increased earnings with the loss of benefits and stay on the road to self-sufficiency?
How can Howard County motivate, support and guide the working poor on their journey to advancement?
How does Howard County build human capital through education and training ?
How does Howard County ensure workers juggling families and multiple jobs access to employment services?
Who needs to be at which table to resolve the challenges?
Next Steps
Some of the Big Questions
Considering strategies to address key findings◦ Public Education
Need for HC community to understand the economic importance and precariousness of our community’s “working poor.” Struggle for working poor; disincentives to earn more
◦ Collaborations to address: Affordable, accessible child care Education and training opportunities Accessible career/employment resources Career coaching to help benefits recipients understand that
increased income is essential to long-term stability
ACS Public Policy Committee
Next Steps
◦Comments about the study? Approach Findings
◦Questions that come to your mind? Self-sufficiency income Howard County’s working poor Paths to self-sufficiency
◦Priority issues for the public and private Howard County to address?
Discussion
Next Steps