OVERVIEW

The Work Support Strategies (WSS) initiative provided a select group of states funding and technical assistance to design, test, and implement more effective, streamlined, and integrated approaches to delivering key supports (including health coverage, nutrition benefits, and child care subsidies) for low-income working families. The initiative, which wrapped up in early 2016, was funded by the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Kresge Foundation, and JPMorgan & Chase Co. The combined resources were invested over a five-year period.

WSS provided states the expert technical assistance, peer support, and financial backing needed to take their efforts to the next level. The initiative consisted of two phases: a one-year planning phase and a three-year implementation phase. An in-depth evaluation describing state activities and lessons learned, tracking results, and analyzing impacts of the initiative is being conducted by the Urban Institute.

Click here to review publications and other resources from WSS.

VIDEOS

These videos present states’ successes and challenges in streamlining their public benefits programs.