Rochester-MonroeAnti-Poverty Initiative

PROGRESS REPORT: A Roadmap for Change

September 2015

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LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY

Together as a community, we can ensure that every child and family has the opportunity to live in a stable environment where the promise of economic mobility is a reality.

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CONTENTS

LettertotheCommunity 3

ExecutiveSummary 5

Introduction 7

TheProcess 9

Findings 10

PreliminaryRecommendations 15

NextSteps 17

Conclusion 22

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LETTER TO THE COMMUNITYTotheRochesterandMonroeCountyCommunity:

Despiteanarrayoftraditionalanti-povertyprogramsandinvestmentstoraisefamiliesoutofpoverty,theGreaterRochesterregionstillfacesadevastatingandacceleratingpovertycrisis.

TheRochester-MonroeAnti-PovertyInitiative(RMAPI)isworkingtomovethecommunityinaboldnewdirectiontoaddresspoverty,throughacomprehensive,integratedsystemofsocialsupportsthatempowersfamiliesastheymoveoutofpovertyandintoopportunitiestosucceed.Buildingthesystemwillrequirethatweviewtheissuethroughthelensofthestructuralracismthatplaguesourinstitutionsandcommunitiesandthetraumainducedbypoverty.

Tosuccessfullydealwiththeissuessurroundingpoverty,thepeoplemostaffectedmustbewillingtopartnerincreatingandimplementingthesolutions.Withouttheirparticipationandwillingnesstoensureequalaccesstoequitablesolutions,suchaneffortcannotbesuccessful.Weareconfidentthatthisinitiativewillachieveresultsbecauseitinvolvespeopleimpactedbypovertydirectly.Italsorepresentsanunprecedentedcollaborationamongpublic,privateandnon-profitleadersandastrongpartnershipwithNewYorkStateandGovernorAndrewCuomo.

ThefollowingdocumentprovidesanupdateonRMAPI’sinitialworkandthefindingsofRMAPI’sworkgroups.Itisimportanttonotethatthisisaprogressreport,notapanaceatothepovertyepidemic.Ratherthanofferingalistofprogramsandfundingrequeststhatwillsolvethecrisis,thisreportlaysthefoundationforRMAPI’sfutureworkandforfutureinvestmentintheinitiative.

Weareproudtoleadthiseffort,andwethankthehundredsofpeoplewhoareworkingonthisinitiativeandthecommunityasawholeforitstremendoussupportofourworktodate.

Togetherasacommunity,wecanensurethateverychildandfamilyhastheopportunitytoliveinastableenvironmentwherethepromiseofeconomicmobilityisareality.

Sincerely,

Hon.JosephMorelleMajorityLeaderNYSAssembly

Hon.LovelyWarrenMayorofRochester

Dr.LeonardBrockRMAPIDirector

Hon.MaggieBrooksMonroeCountyExecutive

FranWeisbergUnitedWayPresident&CEO

We are proud to lead this effort, and we thank the hundreds of people who are working on this initiative and the community as a whole for its tremendous support of our work to date.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARYTheRochester-MonroeAnti-PovertyInitiative(RMAPI)isanunprecedentedcommunity-wideefforttoreducepovertyintheRochesterandMonroeCountyregionby50percentoverthenext15years.Thisinitiativeinvolvestheeffortsandinputofnearly1,000peopleintheregion,includingmorethan200volunteersoncommitteesandworkgroups,morethan800communitymemberswhoattendedatownhallmeetingorhaveparticipatedinsurveys,andmostimportantly,thepeoplethisinitiativeisintendedtobenefit—individualsimpactedbypoverty.

RMAPIisledbyNewYorkStateAssemblyMajorityLeaderJosephD.Morelle,RochesterMayorLovelyWarren,andMonroeCountyExecutiveMaggieBrooksandconvenedbyUnitedWayofGreaterRochester.TheInitiative’sworkalignswithGovernorAndrewCuomo’sRochesterAnti-PovertyTaskForce,madeupofmembersof20stateagenciesworkingwithlocalpublic,privateandnon-profitleaderstoaddresspovertyinRochester.

RMAPIisuniqueinitscollaborative,community-driven,data-informed,andtransparentapproach—includingactiveparticipationfrompersonsimpactedbypoverty.Thisreportisthefirstmilestoneoftheinitiative’slong-term,multi-yearefforttoreducepovertyby:

• Layingthefoundationforaneighborhood-based,integratedsystemofsocialsupports.

• Recognizingandmitigatingthepersonalandsocietalfactorsthatgetinthewayofpersonsbreakingfreeofpoverty—inparticular,structuralracismandtheeffectsofpoverty-inducedtrauma.

• AddressingtheadditionalcompoundingchallengesoftheconcentrationofpovertyintheCityofRochester.

• Increasingaccesstoqualityemploymentandopportunitiesforadvancement.

• Addressinggapsinservicesrelatedtoaccess,awareness,capacity,effectivenessand/orintegration.

• EffectivelylinkingtotheeconomicandemploymentopportunitiesthataretakingrootinMonroeCounty,suchastheUpstateRevitalizationInitiative(URI).

• Providingadultmentoringtohelppeoplenavigatethesystemofsocialsupportssystemsoindividualscansetandmeetshort-andlong-termgoals.

PEOPLE INVOLVED

Nearly1,000peopleintheregion,includingmorethan

200volunteersoncommitteesandworkgroups,morethan

800communitymembersandmostimportantly,individuals

impactedbypoverty.

50%GOAL

ReducepovertyintheRochesterandMonroeCountyregionby

50%overthenext15years

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Initial Focus

RMAPIworkgroupswereformedinearly2015tofocusoneightkeydriversofpoverty:Education,Health&Nutrition,Housing,Jobs,JusticeSystem,SafeNeighborhoods,ChildcareandTransportation.Workgroupmembersidentifiedspecificbarriersthatkeeppeopleimpactedbypovertyfromachievingself-sufficiencyanddeveloped33recommendationsforaddressingpoverty-relatedbarriersintheRochester-Monroeregion.

Intheshort-term,RMAPIisfocusingitseffortsonaddressingtheneedsoftheworkingpoortohelpthemmovefromandstayoutofpoverty.Initialimplementationwillinvolve:

• SystemsDesign–Designingacomprehensive,integratedsystemofsocialsupports.WorkonthedesignforthenewsystemwillbecoordinatedwiththeIBMSmarterCitiesChallengeplanningeffort.TheCityofRochesterwasoneof16citieschosenworldwidetoreceiveassistancefromIBMinanalyzingpovertydataanddevelopingsolutions.

• AdultMentoring/Navigating–Establishinganadultmentor/navigatorroleacrossthesystemsofsupportthathelpsworkingpoorindividualstoovercomebarriersandacquiretheresources,knowledgeandskillsnecessarytoattainandretainalivingwagejobandbreakthecycleofpoverty.

• EarlyChildhoodSupport–Ensuringearlychildhoodsupportthatprovidesbothhigh-quality,affordable,accessibleandflexiblechildcarethatparentsneedtoengageincommunity,economicmobilityandwellness-relatedactivities,andin-homeparenttrainingproventogivenewparentstheskillstosucceedastheirchildren’sfirstteachers.

A Phased Approach

ThisprogressreporthighlightsRMAPI’sfirstphaseofworkandworkgroupstrategies,whichlaythefoundationforachievinglong-termobjectives.Duringthenextphaseofwork,RMAPIwillfurtherrefinethepreliminaryrecommendationsandputforthsolutionswithkeymilestonesandmeasures,aswellasnecessarypolicychangesneededtoaccomplishthesegoals.RMAPI’sapproachtoimplementationwillbestrength-based,buildingoncurrentcommunityassetsandleveragingexistingresources.Longer-termrecommendations,suchasthoseassociatedwithchildeducation,arefundamentaltoachievingRMAPIgoalsandwillbethefocusofsubsequentphases.

KeynextstepswillincludecreatingteamstosupportthedesignandimplementationoftherecommendationsandcontinuingtocoordinateeffortswithNewYorkState.InconjunctionwiththeworkoftheIBMSmarterCitiesteamthisfall,theUpstateRevitalizationInitiativebringsauniqueopportunitytoattractresourcestotheareathattheFingerLakesRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncilhasnamedthe“PathwaystoProsperity.”TheURIprovidesRMAPIanopportunitytoleveragetheseshort-terminitiativesforthelong-termgoalofbuildingacoordinatedsystemofsupportsthatisneighborhood-based,trauma-informed,andaddressesthebiasesandchallengesofstructuralracism.

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INTRODUCTIONMorethan50yearsafterPresidentLyndonJohnsondeclaredtheWaronPoverty,Rochester,NewYorkfacesacrisis.Amongcomparably-sizedU.S.cities,Rochesterhas:

ThepovertystatisticsforMonroeCounty,especiallyintheCityofRochester,areappalling.Almostonethirdofthepopulationlivesbelowthepovertyline.Ofthese,halfliveinextremepoverty—meaningthatthehouseholdincomeishalfofthefederalpovertylevel.ButmostshockingisthefactthatoneoutofeverytwochildreninRochesterlivesinpoverty.

A2013reportbytheRochesterAreaCommunityFoundationandACTRochesterservedasawake-upcalltoRochesterandMonroeCounty’sgrowingpovertyandhighlightedtheconcentrated,multi-generationalnatureoftheissueinthecity.Intheareaknownas“TheCrescent,”morethan60%ofresidentsliveinpoverty.Thisextremeconcentrationofpovertymanifestsitselfinlimitedlocalemployment,housingblight,fooddesertsandtheisolationoftheresidentsoftheseneighborhoods.

HIGHEST

Thehighestrateofchildhoodpoverty(50.1%)

Thehighestrateofextremepoverty

Thesecond-highestrateofpovertyinthenation

HIGHEST SECOND-HIGHEST

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The Response

Inresponse,RochesterandMonroeCounty’spublic,private,andnon-profitleadershavecometogetherinanunprecedentedwaytoaddressthisissue,formingtheRochester-MonroeAnti-PovertyInitiative(RMAPI)toreducepovertythroughacollaborative,community-driven,data-informedandtransparentapproach.

NewYorkStateAssemblyMajorityLeaderJosephD.Morelle,RochesterMayorLovelyWarrenandMonroeCountyExecutiveMaggieBrooksleadtheinitiative,whichisconvenedbyUnitedWayofGreaterRochester.TheInitiative’sworkalignswithGovernorAndrewCuomo’sOpportunityAgenda,whichcreatedthestate’sRochesterAnti-PovertyTaskForce.

RMAPI’svisionisthateverychildandfamilywillhavetheopportunitytoliveinastableenvironmentwherethepromiseofeconomicmobilityisareality.Twooverarchinggoalsguidethegroup’seffortstoachievethisvision:

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REDUCE POVERTY1 BY:

IN 15 YEARS IN 10 YEARS IN 5 YEARS

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50% 30% 15%

INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES THAT ARE SELF-SUFFICIENT2

1PovertyasdefinedbytheFederalPovertyLevel.2MeasurabletargetsarebeingdefinedbytheRMAPIDataTeamandwillbeavailableinafutureprogressreport.

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THE PROCESSInMarch2015,RMAPIleadershipassembledaSteeringCommitteetooverseetheInitiativeandserveastheliaisontoGovernorCuomo’sRochesterAnti-PovertyTaskForce,aninteragencygroupofmembersof20 stateagenciesworkingwithlocalpublic,privateandnon-profitleaderstoaddresspovertyinRochester.TheSteeringCommitteeappointedworkgroupco-chairs,individualswithexperienceineachofthekeyareasdescribedbelow.

InMay,afterarobustcommunity-widerecruitmentprocess,workgroupco-chairsselectedindividualsfromalistofmorethan400interestedcommunitymemberstoserveonworkgroupsfocusedonsixkeyareas:Education,Health&Nutrition,Housing,Jobs,JusticeSystemandSafeNeighborhoods.Eachworkgrouprepresentedadiversecross-sectionoftheRochesterandMonroeCountycommunities,withtheactiveinvolvementofmorethan200peopleintotal.

FromMaythroughJuly,workgroupsdevelopedrecommendationsfortheirspecificareaoffocus.InJuly,twoadditionalworkgroupswereformedtotacklebarriersthatearlyintheprocesswereidentifiedascuttingacrossallofthekeyareas:theavailability,affordability,andaccessibilityof(1)Childcareand(2)Transportation.

Workgroupswerechargedwithidentifyingassetsandbarriersthatcurrentlyexistinthecommunity,developingrecommendationsfortheirspecificareaoffocus,andestablishingkeysuccessmeasures.Eachworkgroupincludedtheactiveparticipationofpeopleimpactedbypoverty,aswellasculturalbrokerswhoensuredthatthevoicesofthoseexperiencingpovertywereheardandgivenequalinfluenceintheprocess.

Recommendationsweredevelopedandprioritizedwithstrongcommunityengagement,withtheobjectiveofachievingahighlevelofacceptancefrompersonsimpactedbypoverty.Inaddition,RMAPIestablishedaSystemsDesignTeamtomergethe33individualrecommendationsintoaunifiedplan,identifycommonthemesandrecommendnextstepsforaphasedimplementationapproach.

Workgroupswerechargedwithidentifyingassetsandbarriersthatcurrentlyexist

inthecommunity,developingrecommendationsfortheirspecificareaoffocus,andestablishingkeysuccess

measures.

WORKGROUPS

EducationHealth&Nutrition

HousingJobs

JusticeSystemSafeNeighborhoods

ChildcareTransportation

WORKGROUPS FOCUS

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FINDINGSBarriers

TheRMAPIworkgroupsprioritizedspecificbarriersthatmustbeovercomeforpeopleimpactedbypovertytoachieveself-sufficiency.Thebarriersdescribedbytheworkgroupsinclude:

• Lackofcommunitydevelopment(socialandinfrastructure)inneighborhoodsofconcentratedpoverty.Thisincludesalackofaffordablehousing,jobsnearwhereindividualsliveandhealthcareclinics,aswellaslimitedincentivesforhousingdevelopmentsandlimitednutritiousfoodoptions.

• Inequalitycausedbystructuralandinstitutionalracism,orfromracial,ethnic,socialorgenderbias,whichcanbeexperiencedexplicitlyorimplicitly,includingharshertreatmentbythejusticesystem,unfairlandlordandpolicingpractices,disadvantagesresultingfromsegregationandtheconcentrationofpovertyandneighborhoodgentrification.

• Impactofpoverty-inducedtrauma.Thesocial,psychological,physicalandmentalhealtheffectsofpovertyrangefrombeingunabletomeetbasicneedstoneighborhoodviolence.

• Lackofknowledge,skillsandcredentialstogetormaintainajob.Thisincludesalackofworkexperience,agapineducationorskills,acriminalrecordandtheneedforhelpnavigatingthesystemoverall.

• Limitedaccesstooreligibilityforpublicandprivatesupports,servicesandprograms.Thisincludesaccesstoaffordablechildcare,earlychildhooddevelopment,extendeddayandyearacademicandotherprogrammingforchildrenandyouth,civilandcriminallegalrepresentation,qualityaffordablehousing,foodeducationandnutrition,andopportunitiesforqualityemploymentandcareeradvancement.

• Insufficientcommunitycapacityforchildcareandtransportation.Thisincludesalackofaccessiblepublictransportationandalackofaffordablechildcarethatcorrespondswiththehoursthatparentswork,includingeveningsandweekends.

• Publicandprivatepolicies,regulationsandpractices,suchasmandatedjusticesentences;inefficientorineffectivefoodsubsidy,transportation,andhousingpolicies;immediatelossofchildcareorothersubsidiesaswagesincrease;andtheinabilitytogetahighschooldiplomaafterage21.

WithinRochester’s“Crescent”almostallneighborhoodsfaceextremepovertyas

illustratedonthemapabove.

CONCENTRATED POVERTY

Imagesource:EdDoherty,theRochesterAreaCommunityFoundation

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FINDINGS

Common Themes

Threecommonthemesconsistentlyarosefromalloftheworkgroups:(a)BuildandSupportOurCommunity,(b)AddressStructuralRacism,and(c)AddressPoverty-inducedTrauma.Thesethemeswillserveasthebasisfordesignprinciplesundergirdingalloftheinitiative’sworkandwillbeaddressedinallimplementationplanningactivities.

Structuralracismcanbedefinedasasysteminwhichpublicpolicies,institutionalpractices,culturalrepresentationsandothernormsworkinvarious,oftenreinforcingwaystoperpetuateracialgroupinequity.Itpointstodimensionsofourhistoryandculturethathaveallowedprivilegesassociatedwith“whiteness”anddisadvantagesassociatedwith“color”toendureandadaptovertime.Structuralracismisnotsomethingthatafewpeopleorinstitutionschoosetopractice.Instead,ithasbeenafeatureofthesocial,economic,andpoliticalsystemsinwhichweallexist.3

WeknowthatpovertydisproportionatelyaffectsBlacks/AfricanAmericansandHispanicsintheCityofRochester.4Atissuearetheongoingeffectsofstructuralracismandbias,whichcontinueasamajorbarrierforBlacks/AfricanAmericansandHispanicsastheyattempttobreakfreeofpoverty.

Multiplestudiesofbothchildren5andadultslivinginpovertysuggestthattheongoingandcontinuousnatureofstressarisingfromthreatstowell-beingnegativelyaffectcognitivefunction/executivefunctioningskills;insomecasesthiscanresultinbarrierstoperformance,developmentalprogressandgoalattainment.“First,povertycreatespowerfulstressesthatswampourthinkingandcreatea‘bandwidthtax’thatdecreasesthequalityofthedecisionswemake.Andsecond,thestressesassociatedwithpovertycanalterthewaythebraindevelopsinchildrenwhoaresubjectedtothem.”6ForAfricanAmericansandLatinoswhoarelivinginpoverty,structuralracismandpoverty-inducedtraumacompoundoneanother,andtheimpactisexponential.

COMMUNITY BUILDING STRUCTURAL RACISM POVERTY-INDUCED TRAUMA

Acommonthemeexpressedbypeopleimpactedbypovertyisthedesiretocontinueresidingintheircurrentneighborhoods.Thecondition,however,isthattheseneighborhoodsmeettheirneeds.Theseneedsincludequalityaffordablehousing,accesstonutritiousfoods,neighborhoodsafety,youthdevelopment,crisisservicealternativestoarrest,communityhealthcampuses,localbusinessdevelopmentandjobopportunities,transportationinfrastructureandneighborhoodcommunitycentersthatconnectindividualstoappropriateeducation,trainingandothersupportservices.

3FromTheAspenInstitute:http://www.aspeninstitute.org/sites/default/files/content/docs/rcc/RCC-Structural-Racism-Glossary.pdf4FromRACFPovertyReportUpdate2015-0108,p5.PovertyratesareveryhighforAfricanAmericans(nearly40%)andHispanics(over 44%).

AsiansinRochesterhaveapovertyrateof29.5%andWhites23%.AfricanAmericansnowconstituteslightlymorethanhalfthepoorpopulationoftheCityofRochester.

5JeanneBrooks-GunnandGregJ.Duncan,“TheEffectsofPovertyonChildren.”The Future of Children,7no. 2(Sum-Fall1997)55.“Thisresearchsupportstheconclusionthatfamilyincomehasselectivebut,insomeinstances,quitesubstantialeffectsonchildandadolescentwell-being.Familyincomeappearstobemorestronglyrelatedtochildren’sabilityandachievementthantotheiremotionaloutcomes.Childrenwholiveinextremepovertyorwholivebelowthepovertylineformultipleyearsappear,allotherthingsbeingequal,tosuffertheworstoutcomes.Thetimingofpovertyalsoseemstobeimportantforcertainchildoutcomes.Childrenwhoexperiencepovertyduringtheirpreschoolandearlyschoolyearshavelowerratesofschoolcompletionthanchildrenandadolescentswhoexperiencepovertyonlyinlateryears.”

6“RethinkingPoverty,”Stanford Social Innovation Review(Fall2014)

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Inadditiontothecommonthemesthatemergedorganicallythroughtheworkgroupprocess,RMAPIwillapproachimplementationusingtwoadditionallenses:theuniquecircumstanceofconcentratedpoverty,andtheneedforincreasedaccesstoqualityjobsandcareeradvancement.

RMAPI Roadmap for Change

TheRMAPIRoadmapforChange,depictedinthediagrambelow,ismadeupofSystemDesign,CommonThemesandSolutionAreas.

RMAPI ROADMAP FOR CHANGE

SystemDesign

CommonThemes

SolutionAreas

Coordinated and Integrated System of Social Support

Add

ress

Str

uctu

ral R

acismAddress Poverty-Induced Traum

a

Build & Support Our Community

• Empower Individuals and Families

• Enable Sustainable and Progressive Employment

• Break the Cycle: Guarantee Our Children’s Future

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FINDINGS

Coordinated and Integrated System of Social Supports

Throughouttheworkgroupprocess,theneedforasystemdesigntoresolvemanyofthebarriersandchallengesimpactingpeopleinpovertybecameincreasinglyevident.Underthecurrentsystem,individualsandfamiliesareoftenona“povertytreadmill”(i.e.,the“benefitcliff,”whereasmallincreaseinsalarycancauseasteepdeclineorlossofbenefits.)Thesolutionisthecreationofanintegrated,coordinatedsystemofsocialsupportsthatintegratessectors—humanservices,educationandhealthcare—toeliminatethebarriersthatpreventindividualsandfamiliesimpactedbypoverty,especiallythoselivinginmulti-generationalpoverty,fromachievingself-sufficiency.

Solution Areas

Theworkgrouprecommendationsrevealedthreelogicalsolutionareas:(a)EmpowerIndividualsandFamilies,(b)EnableSustainableandProgressiveEmployment,and(c)BreaktheCycle:GuaranteeourChildren’sFuture.(Seediagramonpages13-14andAppendixCforadditionaldetails.)

Numerousconditionscanprohibitordistractindividualsandfamiliesfromengaginginactivitiesthatwillliftthemfrompoverty,despiteastrongdesiretodoso.Thissolutionareaincludesrecommendationstoempowerpeoplebyaddressingneedssuchaschildcare,affordablehousingandtransportation,aswellasprovidingaccesstohealthcareservicesandtheskillsnecessarytoobtainahighschooldiplomaafterage21.

EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES

A

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ThejobmarketintheRochester/Monroeregionhasgonethroughadramatictransformationoverthepastdecade,withasignificantnumberofmanufacturingjobsbeingreplacedbylower-payingoccupations.Findingandobtainingalivingwagejobhasbecomeincreasinglydifficultdespitetheexistenceofsuchjobsincertainskillsareas.Thissolutionareaincludesrecommendationstohelppeopleidentify,preparefor,andpursueapathwaytoalivingwagejob.Recommendationsrangefromestablishingaccesstoanadultmentor/navigatortoincentivizingprivate,publicandnon-profitemployerstocommittohiringpeopleimpactedbypoverty.Inaddition,recommendationscallforprovidingaskillsdevelopmentpathwayduringemploymenttoenablecareerprogressionovertime,andprovidingcommunity-basedservicesthathelpindividualsidentifytheirinterestsandstrengths,andconnecttoeducationandjobopportunities.

Thisareaincludesrecommendationsforneighborhoodcentersthatoffermoreintensiveandcomprehensiveservicestoaddresstheeducationalandsocial-emotionalneedsofthewholefamily.Recommendationsalsoincludetheneedforyouthdevelopmentprogramsthatincorporateculturallyresponsiverolemodels;furtherinvestmentinchildeducationinitiativesthataddresstheimpactofpovertyonchildren’slearning,includingthosethatprovidearichlearningenvironmentthroughracialandsocio-economicintegration;thedevelopmentandcoordinationofprogramsbeyondthetraditionalschoolday/schoolyear;andtheestablishmentofquadrantadvisoryboards.

B CENABLE

SUSTAINABLE AND PROGRESSIVE EMPLOYMENT

BREAK THE CYCLE: GUARANTEE OUR CHILDREN’S

FUTURE

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PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS Eachofthe33recommendationsadvancedbytheworkgroupswasreviewedusingthesamecriteria.(SeeAppendixBfordetails.)Theresultwastheidentificationoftheareasdescribedbelowastheimmediatenextstepsforimplementationplanning.

SYSTEMS DESIGN

ADULT MENTORING/NAVIGATING

EARLY CHILDHOOD SUPPORT

Designingacomprehensive,integratedsystemofsocialsupports,incoordinationwiththeIBMSmarterCitiesChallengeplanningeffort.

Establishinganadultmentor/navigatorroleacrossthesystemsofsupportthathelpsworkingpoorindividualstoovercomebarriersandacquiretheresources,knowledgeandskillsnecessarytoattainandretainalivingwagejobandbreakthecycleofpoverty.

Ensuringearlychildhoodsupportthatprovidesbothhigh-quality,affordable,accessibleandflexiblechildcarethatparentsneedtoengageincommunity,economicmobility,andwellness-relatedactivities,andin-homeparenttrainingproventogivenewparentstheskillstosucceedastheirchildren’sfirstteachers.

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We have an intimate understanding of the conditions that would need to be met within our community in order to achieve the RMAPI goals, and we are committed to undertaking a strength-based approach to implementation that builds on current community assets and leverages existing resources.

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NEXT STEPSTodate,asignificantamountofRMAPI’sworkhasfocusedonsystemsanalysis,includingidentifyinggoals,barrierstomeetingthosegoals,strategiesforaddressingthebarriersandmetricsformeasuringactualprogressinachievingthegoals.WehaveanintimateunderstandingoftheconditionsthatwouldneedtobemetwithinourcommunityinordertoachievetheRMAPIgoals,andwearecommittedtoundertakingastrength-basedapproachtoimplementationthatbuildsoncurrentcommunityassetsandleveragesexistingresources.Futureworkwillfocusondesigningasystemthatmeetstheseconditions.Bysystem,wemean:

Aholistic,comprehensive,integratedsystemofsocialsupportsrichwithneighborhood-basedservicesdesignedtoempowerfamiliesastheymoveoutofpovertyandintoopportunitiestosucceed.Therewillbenowrongdoorofentry,aspeoplewillbedirectedtothemosthelpfulresourcesregardlessofwheretheyfirstengageinthesystem,andexistingresourceswillbeutilizedwheneverpossible.

Systemsdesignactivitywillresultin:

• Acontinuumofstate,regionalandcommunity-basedresources,services,andreferralagenciesthatworktogetherseamlesslytomeetthetargetpopulation’sneeds—withrespectandencouragementratherthanpenalty—throughouttheirjourneytoself-sufficiency

• AlignedpoliciesacrossStateagenciestosupportthedesiredoutcomes

• Asystematicmeansofmeasuringoutcomes,assessingsystemsperformanceandprovidingaccountabilitytothoseserved

• Anintegrateddatasystemthatprovidesasinglepointofentrytoservices,integrationandcoordinationacrossserviceproviders,andcentralizeddatacapturesothatindividualsandfamiliesdonotneedtosupplytheirinformationforeachneededservice

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1

2

3

DEFINE THE GOVERNANCE APPROACHa. DefinetheRMAPIdecision-makingstructureandprocess

b. EngageinongoingevaluationforevolvingtheRMAPIorganizationaldesignintermsofstructure,capacityandexpertisetosupportthesystemsdesignandimplementationphases

CHARTER RESOURCE TEAMS TO DEVELOP PRINCIPLES IN THE AREAS OFSTRUCTURAL RACISM, POVERTY-INDUCED TRAUMA AND COMMUNITYBUILDING THAT WILL BE APPLIED ACROSS ALL RECOMMENDATIONSa. Formandcharterresourceteams

b. Resourceteamsdevelopprinciplestobeembodiedinallrecommendationimplementation

c. ResourceteamsensurethattheworkofRMAPIisalignedwiththatofgroupscurrentlyengagedinaddressingstructuralracism(e.g.FR=EE,UniteRochester,YWCA)

d. Resourceteamsconsultwithrecommendationimplementationteams(seebelow)toensuretheprinciplesareappropriatelytranslatedintoaction

INITIATE IMPLEMENTATION TEAMS TO COMPLETE THE DETAILED DESIGN OF THE INITIAL RECOMMENDATION AREASa. FormandcharteranAdultMentoring/Navigatingimplementationteam

b. FormandcharteranEarlyChildhoodSupportimplementationteam

c. Eachimplementationteamisresponsibleforconvertingthedesignprinciplesdevelopedbytheresourceteamsdescribedaboveintospecificactions

d. Workwithneighborhood-,community-andfaith-basedleaderstobuildacommunityallianceaimedatsustaininggrassrootssupport

Withinthecontextoftheabovedescribedsystem,RMAPIhasestablishedthefollowingshort-termgoalstargetedforcompletionbytheendof2015,alongwithassociatedactiondetails.

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NEXT STEPS

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SPECIFY REQUIREMENTS AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF SOCIAL SUPPORTS a. CoordinatewiththeIBMSmarterCitiesChallenge7

b. EnsureknowledgetransferofRMAPIfindings

c. Identifyandplanopportunitiesforongoingcollaboration

DEVELOP AND COORDINATE A POLICY AGENDA WITH THE STATEa. Formateamtodevelopapolicyagendathatidentifiesregulatory/policychangesandways

theStatecouldworkdifferentlywithRochester/MonroeCountypublic,privateandnon-profitagenciesandorganizationstohelppeoplegetoffthe“povertytreadmill”.ThescopeofpolicieswillincludebutnotbelimitedtotheareasdescribedinthePreliminaryRecommendationssectionofthisdocument.Thisallowsimportant,strategicpolicyworksupportingallrecommendationstoproceedandbesynchronizedwithopportunitiestoinfluencealllevelsofgovernment

b. Policyagendateamcoordinatesgovernmentrequestsatthefederal,stateandlocallevels

DEVELOP A FUNDING MODEL TO ENSURE INITIATIVE SUSTAINABILITYa. Identifyfiscalsponsorsfromthepublicandprivatesectors

b. DevelopafundingprocessthatmaintainsstrategicalignmentbetweenNewYorkStateandlocalgovernmentfunders

c. Establishpartnershipswithlocalandnationalfoundationsthatmay,andlikelywill,haveaninterestinsupportingtheimplementationofInitiativerecommendations

d. CreatealocalfunderteamledbykeystafffromtheCityofRochester,MonroeCounty,theUnitedWayofGreaterRochesterandlocalfoundationsthatwillmeetwiththeNewYorkState-identifiedrepresentativesfromtheAnti-PovertyTaskForcetodevelopahigh-levelplanofaction

e. Establishthelinksbetweencategoriesoffundsandthepoliciesandregulationsthatguidethem

7TheCityofRochesterwasawardedaSmarterCitiesChallengeGrantfromIBMinMay2015.ThistechnicalassistancegrantprovidesaremarkableopportunityforIBMtoplaceateaminourcommunitytohelpbeginthedesignofthissystem.Oneoftheanchoringfeaturesofthesystemwillbeanintegrated,seamlessdatabasethatallowsfor“nowrongdoor”forthoseseekingservices.

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WhilethelocalcommunitywillcertainlycontinuetodriveRMAPIgoalsandstrategies,thestrongpartnershipwithNewYorkStatewillhelptoensureopenchannelsofcommunicationand,wherepossible,jointsupportfortheimplementationofRMAPIrecommendations.

TherigoroussystemdesignprocessRMAPIhasengagedintodatehasclearlydemonstratedtheneedforwell-developedpovertyalleviationstrategies.Thesestrategieswouldcoordinatestateandlocalauthorityinaseamlessprocessthatwillamendanyandallnecessaryrules,regulations,policiesandpracticesinordertopromotewell-beingandincreaseself-sufficiency,whileeliminatingthosepoliciesthatinhibitsuccess.Thestrategiesalsorepresentacalltoactiontomultiplesectors—public,private,andnon-profit—aswellasthoseexperiencingpovertytotakeresponsibilityfordefining,creatingandengagingintheconditionsnecessarytoaddresspovertyintheRochesterandMonroeCountyregion.

7 DEVELOP AN APPROACH FOR RMAPI MEASUREMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITYa. Developasystematicmeansformeasuring,assessing,andreportingonInitiativeprogress

andoutcomes

b. Completemetricsandtargetsforself-sufficiencygoal

c. SupportthegovernanceprocessbyprovidingameansforallocatingandholdingInitiativeparticipants(designandimplementation)accountabletocommitments

IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE ACCESS TO QUALITY JOBS AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT a. Engageinathoroughexaminationoftheworkingpoorusingthestandardofself-sufficiency

b. Usetheconceptofempoweringtheworkingpoortobetterinformstrategiesforcreatingopportunitiestomoveoutofpoverty

c. Conductaworkforcestudyoftheworkingpoorthatincludesanexaminationofthetypesofjobsheld,employers,payanddemographicinformation,e.g.placeofresidence,race,ethnicity,gender,etc.

d. DeveloprelationshipsandstrategieswiththeFingerLakesRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncilthatwillensureaccesstoemploymentandupwardmobilityinspecificorganizationalstructures,fromentryleveltohigherlevelsofmanagement

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The ultimate goal is to enable every child and family in the region to have the opportunity to live in a stable environment where the promise of economic stability—and economic mobility—is within their grasp.

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CONCLUSIONReducingpovertyinRochesterandMonroeCountywillrequirealong-termeffortandcanonlybesuccessfulifitaddressesthebarrierskeepingindividualsandfamiliesfrommovingoutofpovertyandtowardeconomicstability:structuralracism,poverty-inducedtraumaandotherfactorsthatkeeppeopleonthe“povertytreadmill.”RMAPIenvisionsbreakingdownthesebarriersbycreatingacomprehensive,neighborhood-basedsystemofsocialsupports.Thiswillbeaptlycharacterizedasa“nowrongdoor”systemwherepeopleimpactedbypovertygetthesupportandservicestheyneedregardlessofwheretheyenter.

Today,theRochesterandMonroeCountyregionisknownashavingthehighestchildhoodpovertyrateamongcomparablecities.Theultimategoalistoreversethistrendandtobegintoenableeverychildandfamilyintheregiontohavetheopportunitytoliveinastableenvironmentwherethepromiseofeconomicstability—andeconomicmobility—iswithintheirgrasp.

Led by

Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative

Convened by

Office Of Assembly mAjOrity leAder

JOSEPH D. MORELLEmAyOr

LOVELY A. WARRENcOunty executive

MAGGIE BROOKS

For more information, please visit www.endingpovertynow.org

or call (585) 242-6482