Sep 19, 2019 | Blog Post

SNAP Recipient to Trump Administration: I am not a fraud.

When President Trump suggests that I, among 3 million other SNAP recipients, am fraudulently accessing benefits without need, I am compelled to push back. We are the real people who would be harmed by the administration’s “broad-based categorical eligibility” proposal ... I share my story because nobody else can tell it for me.

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Mar 23, 2018 | Blog Post | Nia West-Bey

“This is not discussed”: Maternal Depression and Young Adult Mental Health

A combined 3 million Americans living in poverty are either a mother who has experienced depression or a young adult who has experienced series psychological distress during the past year. CLASP’s new report, changes the conversation by opening up a policy discussion.

Mar 22, 2018 | Blog Post | Lauren Walizer

A New Opportunity for Low-Income Students to Earn a Debt-Free Degree

The Debt-Free College Act of 2018 is distinctive for its proposal to establish a long-term plan to do so, while paying particular attention to the financial needs of low-income students and students of color.

Mar 18, 2018 | Blog Post | Rosa M. García

Fulfilling the Promise of a Postsecondary Education

America’s College Promise Act fulfills the promise to make college more accessible and affordable for millions of low-income and non-traditional students and promote transfer pathways to bachelor’s degrees. CLASP is pleased the bill waives the cost of tuition and fees at community colleges and technical colleges, which means that students can use their financial aid for ever-increasing living costs.

Mar 8, 2018 | Blog Post | Isha Weerasinghe

How Trump's Budget Impacts Key Mental Health Services

Daily life can be a struggle for people experiencing mental health issues. And for the majority, it would only get harder under President Trump’s budget.

Mar 5, 2018 | Blog Post | Christine Johnson-Staub

A Vision for Financing a High-Quality Child Care and Early Education System

The Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reports that an additional $53 billion in public and private resources annually would be required to fully fund a national, high-quality child care and early education system.

Mar 1, 2018 | Blog Post | CLASP

Demonstration Projects Yield Limited Results, Restrict Access to Programs

States are increasingly using waiver requests seeking federal permission to change how they operate their safety-net programs. Recently, the waiver process has steered off course from its original intent, and states are increasingly using it as a mechanism to create barriers to basic needs programs. 

Feb 27, 2018 | Blog Post | Ruth Cosse

America's Workplaces are Destroying Black Maternal Health

Workplace conditions and employer policies are taking an incredible toll on Black maternal health. Increasing access to health care and paid family and medical leave will have a huge benefit for Black mothers and their children. 

Feb 16, 2018 | Blog Post | CLASP

Trump’s Budget Built on Myth, Attacks Low-Income People

The Trump Administration's budget proposal is yet another gut-punch to low-income individuals and families. It includes devastating cuts to core benefit programs that would destabilize millions of lives and unravel our nation’s safety net. 

Feb 16, 2018 | Blog Post |

Threats, Opportunities on FMLA's 25th Anniversary

The Trump Administration's paid parental leave proposal leaves out millions of people. It comes as we mark 25 years of the Family and Medical Leave Act, which was an important step but does not do enough to improve job quality for low-wage workers.

Feb 13, 2018 | Blog Post | CLASP

Stackable Credentials Are Worth the Effort

Wisconsin’s experience suggests stackable credentials don’t cause students to leave college early. In fact, students completing these credentials are more likely to earn an Associate’s degree.

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