schmudget: General Assistance: New Strategies for a Vital Program

Today the Budget and Policy Center released a new policy brief on Washington State's General Assistance - Unemployable (GA-U) program. The paper, entitled, "General Assistance: New Strategies for a Vital Program," outlines the value of GA-U, which offers economic security and health care to over 20,000 working-age adults with disabilities in our state. The Governor has proposed eliminating the program, a proposal that would have a very detrimental effect.

In addition, the paper discusses how GA-U could better serve clients through implementing strategies that will improve outcomes and reduce costs. Included in these proposals are:

Provide a medical home for every GA-U client
Expand coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment
Improve state facilitation of eligible GA-U clients to federal programs

To read the full text, go here.

Contributors

Stacey Schultz

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Stacey brings over ten years of experience in investigative reporting, editing, and analytical writing to the blog. In addition to managing Schmudget, she is a key part of the research and analysis team at the Budget & Policy Center.

Jeff Chapman

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Jeff directs the Budget & Policy Center’s research and analysis. He is an expert on a wide variety of issues including tax policy, the low wage labor market, and microdata analysis. He serves on the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors.

Remy Trupin

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As the executive director, Remy has built the Budget & Policy Center into an essential part of the Washington State policy landscape in a few short years. He is a recognized expert on state fiscal and policy issues, particularly human services policy.

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Aiko Schaefer

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Aiko works closely with community organizations and policymakers to ensure that the work of the Budget & Policy Center is collaborative, meaningful, and accessible. She also directs the Center’s strategic media efforts.

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

General Assistance: New Strategies for a Vital Program

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