04/28/2009
New Education Opportunities for Nebraska
Nebraska Appleseed’s Low Income Self Sufficiency Program has worked for several years to increase educational opportunities for low-income families, and last week, the Nebraska Legislature passed and the Governor signed LB 458 – a bill that will make it possible for Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) participants to pursue an Associates Degree beyond 12 months. We commend Senator Harms (District 48) for sponsoring this bill and being a champion on this issue over the last several years.
Nebraska has long recognized that education is one of the surest paths out of poverty, but the state’s regulations created obstacles to obtaining the training and education necessary for families to move to lasting self-sufficiency. The ADC program requires participants to take part in work activities designed to provide education, training, and skill building for a minimum of 30 hours a week so that individuals can move toward their highest level of self-sufficiency and move off of welfare for the long-term. However, the ADC regulations allow participants only 12 months to pursue an Associate’s Degree program and other vocational training and higher education opportunities. Most Associate’s Degree programs are longer than 12 months.
LB 458 removes the 12 month time limit for an Associate’s program, allowing participants to meet their work requirements by pursuing an Associate’s Degree for up to 36 months. This significant change will allow more Nebraskans to acquire the skills and education to lead their families to self-sufficiency.
Appleseed believes that this kind of legislation is vital to Nebraska’s economic health. Studies – including Nebraska Appleseed’s “Building the Good Life" Report – show that in Nebraska almost one in ten adults does not have a high school diploma or GED. Moreover, Nebraska needs more trained professionals in high demand industries, such as health care and information technology. LB 458 creates a stronger pipeline through which ADC participants can access educational opportunities that are linked to the high-demand occupations of the future.
Appleseed is working hard to make sure that ADC participants have the information they need in order to reach their educational goals. Through its “Choosing Education” initiative and materials, Appleseed is helping ADC participants to understand the opportunities available for pursing education by providing training and technical assistance and through a targeted media campaign. To hear our “Choosing Education” radio advertisement, click here: http://neappleseed.org/education.
The support of Senator Gay and the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee was also essential in passing this legislation. Through a productive and helpful interim study last fall, the Committee, the Department of HHS and Appleseed were able to examine the importance of educational opportunity in the ADC program and reach agreement on this piece of legislation.
Working together, we can build Nebraska’s future and make sure that all families have the opportunity to get ahead and move toward self-sufficiency.
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