Advocacy

2012 Advocacy Agenda for United Way of North Carolina

United Way of North Carolina is the state association of North Carolina’s United Ways.  Our Advocacy Agenda is focused on advancing the common good by supporting the building blocks of a good life for all, a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, good health and a strong nonprofit sector where all North Carolinians have access to the services they need through NC 2-1-1.

United Way or North Carolina seeks to be a non-partisan ally with elected officials in making North Carolina stronger.  Together we can build on what is working, capitalize on partnerships and improve lives across the state.  Our goal is to lead and advocate on issues for which generation of grassroots/grass tops support among local United Ways best serves the State, and to support and encourage efforts by partner organizations, on issues related to education, income, health and nonprofit system support.

We will be a leader in advocating for:

 Development of a Statewide NC 2-1-1 System. 

United Way of North Carolina seeks to establish a formal partnership with state government to support development of statewide access to NC 2-1-1 including: (i) opportunities to shift existing state or federal funds into the NC 2-1-1 system to eliminate redundancy and streamline access to information and referral service; (ii) partnering with state government to ensure 100% of state government program information is available through the NC 2-1-1 database; and, (iii) making the case for direct state appropriations to the NC 2-1-1 service.

Preserving and Expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. 

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is recognized as an effective means of reducing poverty while encouraging work.  United Way of North Carolina will work to maintain the state Earned Income Tax Credit to build on its current success as an anti poverty tool. Under current legislation, the state EITC will sunset at the end of 2012.

We will join and support efforts by community, organizational and political leaders to advance these core issues:

Education

Support policies that effectively reduce the dropout rate by focusing on:

·         preparing children to enter school ready to learn

·         allowing all children to achieve academic success in school

·         increasing community engagement in education

Income 

Support policies that:

·         prevent  and decrease homelessness

·         increase individual and family financial stability

·         increase access to safe, affordable housing options for low-to-moderate income families.

Health 

Support policies that:

·         increase access to affordable healthcare for seniors and children.

Strengthen the Nonprofit Sector

Support policies that:

·         increase the value and transparency of the nonprofit sector

·         encourage continued investment in the nonprofit sector as a means to improve the quality of life for all North Carolinians. 

For more information about United Way of North Carolina's Advocacy Agenda, please contact Jill Cox at jcox@unitedwaync.org or 919-834-5200.