Advocacy Agenda for United Way of North Carolina
The numbers of North Carolinians struggling to meet their most basic needs continue to grow as the economic down-turn persists in North Carolina and across the country.  Statewide unemployment reached 8.7% by the end of 2008 and is projected to hit double digits early in 2009.   State and local government budgets project shortfalls -- in many cases the shortfalls are substantial.  Considering these economic factors, more people will be in need of our help than our nation or state has experienced since 1939.  As a result of this growing need, it is now more important than ever to review and modernize our revenue system while ensuring that government programs are being funded wisely and with the greatest possible return on the investment. 

It is in these economic times that we must focus our attention on proven programs that provide economic stimulus, teach positive behavior and reinforce the safety net of services needed most.  By investing wisely in asset building for long-term financial stability; in our education system to ensure the success of our children; and, in our nonprofit system; we can elevate North Carolinians and begin the process of economic recovery. 

United Way of North Carolina (in collaboration with the NC 2-1-1 Board) will advocate for passage of federal legislation to fund further expansion of the statewide 211 system. United Way of North Carolina will work in partnership with local United Ways to meet with each member of the state’s Congressional Delegation to secure their support for the federal legislation.

Income

Asset Building for Long-term Stability -- Right here in North Carolina, too many families are walking a financial tightrope – barely getting by with no ability to save for college, a home or retirement. United Way of North Carolina is working to transform that financial tightrope into solid ground by increasing personal savings and asset building opportunities, supporting the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and by ensuring our children receive the tools to achieve financial stability after they complete school. 

• UWNC will promote increased savings and greater access to banking products.
• UWNC will advocate for additional resources to provide outreach to those eligible for the newly enacted NC State EITC.
• UWNC will advocate for funding the 5% EITC passed in the short-session.
• UWNC will advocate for the development of a Financial Literacy Council to develop statewide financial literacy goals and benchmarks and monitor implementation and curriculum development of financial education in the K-12 school system.

Affordable Housing – Stable housing is a cornerstone to financial stability.  Nearly 740,000 households statewide – including families, seniors and the disabled – lack safe, stable, affordable housing. 

• UWNC will advocate for $50 million in recurring funding for the NC Housing Trust Fund.

STrengthening the Nonprofit Sector

With more than 20,000 non-profit organizations in North Carolina, people in need  are often challenged with how to find and access the help.  Nonprofits also struggle to provide and fund adequate services while having a voice in government decision making.

2-1-1 – 2-1-1 makes access to the right services just a click or a call away.  It is also the most cost effective service of its type.  Federal funding will enable NC to expand 2-1-1 statewide.

• UWNC will advocate for passage of the Calling for 2-1-1 Act in both the House of Representatives and the US Senate.

Nonprofit System Support – United Way will support national and state policies that strengthen the nonprofit sector by encouraging philanthropy, volunteerism and transparency in the legislative process.

• UWNC will support an increase in the mileage deduction for nonprofit volunteers.
• UWNC will advocate for a permanent IRA charitable rollover.
• UWNC will advocate for improved transparency in the legislative process including open public access to all committee hearing and strict adherence to the existing open meeting laws.

Education

Every child in North Carolina deserves access to quality child care and the supports necessary to succeed in school and life.  At the end of 2008, 35,000 children were waiting for access to quality affordable childcare and only 69.9% of high school students were completing school in four years.
 
Quality Child Care – United Way of North Carolina will work in coalition with other child advocacy organizations to create a comprehensive solution to meet the early care needs of our youngest children.  Access to high quality, affordable child care means families can choose work while ensuring their children receive the best care and preparation for school.

• UWNC will seek a reduction in the child care subsidy waiting list, while seeking an increase in the rates paid to child care providers. 

School Completion – A student’s completion of high school is tied to a number of variables including: grade retention, suspension/expulsion, absenteeism and socioeconomic factors.  Dropping out severely impairs a young person’s job prospects, earning potential and may result in dependence on public assistance.  In 2008, 69.9 percent of the students who started ninth grade in 2004-05 had completed high school in four years or less.

• UWNC will seek support for consistent/standardized information reporting among school districts for accurate, good data to compare completion rates and retention rates, and identify chronically truant students.
• UWNC will support implementation of an evaluation process to determine the effectiveness of existing alternative learning environments for suspended and expelled students to create best practices that can be modeled statewide. 

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