Economic Security 

Overview

Children who grow up poor are more likely to experience negative outcomes.  When families are economically stable and secure, children are more likely to succeed.  Action for Children works to support children and families by promoting policies that increase access to family support resources.  

Did you know?  60% of all low-income families have at least one parent who is working full-time.

• EITC and Other Tax Credits: Action for Children advocates for expanding the NC Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits that support working families.  Additionally, Action for Children works in partnership with other organizations to ensure that families are aware of and apply for tax credits available to them. 
• Income: Action for Children works to help families meet their basic needs through employment income and other public benefit programs that fill the gap between wages and the cost of living.
• Work/Family Balance: Action for Children advocates for legislation that helps parents balance the demands of employment with the needs of their families (i.e. paid sick days, affordable child care, etc.). 
• Asset Development: Action for Children works to increase low-income communities' access to banking services (i.e. savings accounts, loans,etc.), homeownership and small business ownership.
  

Examples of Recent Economic Security Policy Successes Include:

• Supporting low-income working families through passage of North Carolina’s first state Earned Income Tax Credit; and
• Decreasing income inequality through passage of a higher state minimum wage.

Signature Economic Security Publication

Child Poverty in North Carolina: A Preventable Epidemic - April 2008

This report highlights the stunting effect poverty has on children’s cognitive development, academic success, health outcomes and opportunities to improve economic circumstances.  

Specifically, this brief recommends that North Carolina policymakers work to:

• Support families with decent wages; affordable, high-quality child care and housing; and access to tax credits and health insurance.   
• Strengthen communities through increased access to traditional banking services, improved public and adult education, environmental clean-up efforts and strategic economic development investments to attract socially responsible businesses.
• Invest in children’s futures through increased opportunities for asset creation, such as appropriate savings vehicles, affordable financial education for adults and children, greater support for small businesses and increased access to homeownership.