Join us for our annual Communities Against Poverty event on Thursday, December 12th from 11am to 1pm at History Colorado Center! Learn more and register today!

¡Únase a nosotros para nuestro evento anual Comunidades Contra la Pobreza el jueves 12 de diciembre de 11am a 1pm en el Centro de Historia de Colorado! ¡Aprenda más y regístre hoy!

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Dec 8, 2022

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Communities Against Poverty 2022 Recap

by | Dec 8, 2022

Events, Legal Advocacy, Lived Experience, Research and Policy Analysis

On the 1st of December, CCLP hosted our annual Communities Against Poverty celebration, honoring the Champion of Economic Justice & Equity Awards winners for 2022. Those in attendance learned more about the incredible accomplishments and advocacy of our awardees, and heard from joint keynote speakers Dr. Frederick Wherry and Lois Lupica, J.D., on the wide-ranging and endlessly cruel impact of consumer debt on those experiencing poverty. Interim Executive Director, Bethany Pray, Esq. opened the event with gratitude towards our community. CCLP truly cannot do this work alone or without the help of community members, partners, legislators, advocates, and donors alike. With our “unique opportunity to shape policy at every step of the way,” as Bethany described, CCLP has access to power, and as many Marvel or Spider-Man fans know, “with great power comes great responsibility.” So while Coloradans still have many of their needs unmet, CCLP will do our part to help those living in poverty. 

 

Champions of Economic Justice and Equity Awards 

Legislator of the Year – Representative Monica Duran 

Chaer Robert, CCLP’s Legislative Director, awarded this year’s Legislator of the Year to Representative Monica Duran, who was recently elected as Colorado House Majority Leader. Unable to join the event, Chaer described Representative Duran as an incredible champion of working families and survivors of domestic violence. She has a long history of community activism, and her personal experience drives her passion to aid struggling families. She has led legislation to improve wages for home care workers, maintain sibling relationships between foster youth, protect consumers, support small businesses, and address the problem of affordable housing. During the 2021-22 legislative session, Representative Duran worked with CCLP and Colorado Children’s Campaign to reform the TANF program, in which 14,000 families qualified for the program after she identified 3 new funding sources to help pay for the program. 

 

Governmental Partner of the Year – Katherine Keegan 

Charles Brennan, CCLP’s Deputy Director of Research, presented Katherine Keegan with our Governmental Partner of the Year award. Katherine serves as the Director of the Office of the Future of Work (OFOW) at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). The OFOW currently leads 2 statewide initiatives that focus on income training and workforce development. With a background in social work, Katherine has a deep understanding of how systems and equitable access is an important development for future work.  

In her remarks, Katherine stated she was “deeply humbled and honored” to receive this award. She believes there is invaluable work being done to understand the “impact of technological advancements and centering those that bear the brunt of the economic impacts and transitions.” The strong relationship between OFOW and CCLP continues, as digital equity has become a part of the conversation in how to make digital literacy and inclusion the forefront of peoples’ minds.  

 

Community Advocate of the Year – Alma Vidauri 

Ellen Giarratana, CCLP’s Managing Attorney, awarded Alma Vidauri our Community Advocate of the Year. As a mother of three, Alma cares deeply about the health and well-being of her children and has taken steps to ensure they’ve had adequate healthcare over the years. Her decision to seek health coverage created years of legal battles that ultimately landed in the Colorado Supreme Court. After the Court issued an unjust opinion, Alma courageously used her story at the capitol to fight for statutory change in HB 22-1224. Now, she uses her story and experience within the legal system to connect with Hispanic women and people in her community.  

In her remarks, Alma recounted her journey has not been easy and she doesn’t wish for anyone to go through what she went through. “Life is not what happens in it,” said Vidauri, “but what happens to us.” For her, HB22-1224 Public Benefit Theft, which passed earlier this year, ended the “unjust persecution of people receiving assistance.” She continued to say, “It’s more than a victory, it’s an answer to my prayers.” With immense gratitude toward the community, Alma stated, “advocates are a light for people going through difficult moments.”  

 

Community Partner Organization of the Year – Expunge Colorado 

Ellen also awarded Expunge Colorado this year’s Community Partner Organization of the Year. This incredible organization exists to provide education, training, consultation, and pro bono legal services for the record sealing of eligible criminal cases in Colorado. The organization is women/BIPOC-led and founded by three women who have organized annual record-sealing events since 2018. Expunge Colorado also recruits and trains legal professionals, works with partner organizations to provide wrap-around services, generates community education around record sealing, and participates in legislation and measures that automate record sealing and expand eligibility. We are especially grateful for their advocacy in helping craft language and answering questions around the recently passed, Clean Slate legislation. 

Two of their founders, Rosalie Flores and Melanie Rose Rodgers, provided Expunge Colorado’s remarks. Rosalie stated, “it’s so humbling and appreciated to receive this award,” and gave gratitude to CCLP for elevating Expunge Colorado’s work to get their voices raised to address their concerns on a larger scale. Melanie said, “we are honored,” and shared “what started as providing a solution to the problem has turned into this beautiful mission.” Expunge Colorado is a small, but certainly mighty nonprofit, and we are excited to see what they, along with all our awardees, will continue to do for the state of Colorado. Thank YOU! 

 

Keynote Speech: Consumer’s Debt Impact 

We also heard a keynote speech from Dr. Frederick Wherry, a Townsend Martin, Class of 1917 Professor of Sociology at Princeton University and Director of the Dignity and Debt Network, and Lois Lupica, J.D., the Director of the Law & Innovation Lab at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Together, they spoke on Consumer Debt’s Impact, today. 

Dr. Wherry began by sharing a story about how he became interested in debt and well-being. To him, it involves recognition respect. Recognition respect is a concept termed philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah, in which a person is entitled to respect in relation to a fact or feature about themselves that’s connected to their identity. He provided an example of showing this respect through having a calmer and softer voice to a person who is sensitive. There remains a human interaction that takes the physical and material constraints into account. Therefore, if someone is disabled biologically, they can very well be disabled economically. And unfortunately, people tend to react the opposite for those in debt; “if you live beyond your means there will be consequences.” As Dr. Wherry stated, “there are ways to do better toward [those in] debt,” seeing as there are patterned obstacles around one’s well-being, such as location, employment status, community, etc. 

Lupica focused specifically on Coloradans, providing public data about the state: Colorado has one of the highest rates of consumer indebtedness in the country; 16.4% of Coloradans have subprime credit scores; and there are significant discrepancies in over-indebtedness among white communities and communities of color. Noting the Self-Sufficiency Standard that CCLP recently released, she agreed that it is “beneficial in determining what families need to [earn] to make ends meet,” but it doesn’t factor in debt loads held by families. She stated that “credit can be a lifeline for families during emergencies,” but debt can also “burden poor families and communities and threaten their financial well-being.” The wealth gap is also reinforced by, “debt differences between white communities and communities of color.” Ultimately, Lupica argued, “you can’t set poverty levels unless you factor in debt.” 

From her interviews with people on the lower socioeconomic scale, Lupica explained that debt was not a part of their vocabulary. In fact, “one is only able to worry about debt if one has an income and a modicum of financial stability.” And it’s no surprise that housing was the biggest financial worry they had. Additionally, Lupica explained that many of these families had lots of involuntary debt, old debt, forgotten debts, ignored debts, or owe money to various entities but didn’t see it as debt (i.e., child support, fines and fees, criminal restitution, etc.) She also found that “their financial instability including their debt took an enormous toll on their physical and mental health.” People also reported that once financial stability is achieved, debt comes back to haunt you. Lupica stated that every person they spoke to expressed shame for not being able to pay off their debts. 

Dr. Wherry came back to discuss shame further explaining that shame is deliberately brought on those in debt, as debt collectors use shame tactics to get people to pay their bills. Shame is woven through entire families, both immediate and extended, as it is built into the system to get someone to pay. He stated debt collection is a profitable business and these debt collectors “are unleashing a set of practices that at best might be described as cruel.” Not only do they hurt those in debt, but the legal system also seemingly upholds and enforces these unfair practices. 

For access to the artwork Dr. Wherry and Lupica provided, please check out The Debt Collectors Series.

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HEALTH:
HEALTH FIRST COLORADO (MEDICAID)

Health First Colorado is the name given to Colorado’s Medicaid program. Medicaid provides public, low-cost health insurance to qualifying adults and children. It is an entitlement program funded by the federal, state, and county governments and is administered by counties in Colorado. Those who are required to pay must pay a small co-pay when receiving certain health care services.

State Department: Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Eligibility: Most adults 18 to 64 are eligible for Medicaid in Colorado if their household income is at or below 133% of the federal poverty limit (FPL). Pregnant women are eligible with incomes of up to 195% FPL, while children under 18 may be eligible if the live in a household with income at or below 142% FPL. Some adults over 65 may also be eligible for Medicaid.

Program Benefits: Through Medicaid, low-income Coloradans are eligible for a range of health care services at little to not cost. Services provided include doctors visits, prescription drugs, mental health services, and dental care. Co-pays for certain individuals may be needed for certain services.

Program Funding and Access: Colorado funds our Medicaid program through state and federal dollars. Medicaid is an entitlement program, which means that all who are eligible for Medicaid can access the program, regardless of the funding level in a given year. This does not mean that it is always easy to access Medicaid, even when eligible. And since the program is administered by counties, funding levels for county staff and other administrative roles can make it easier or harder for Coloradans to access the program. On top of this, not all medical providers accept Medicaid which limits the ability of Coloradans to seek health services even if enrolled, such as if the nearest provider is a 2+ hour drive away.

Note: This data is from before the pandemic and does not reflect changes in enrollment rules during the COVID-19 pandemic and public health emergency.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 89.0% of the population at or below 133% of FPL (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for Medicaid) were enrolled in Medicaid in Colorado.

FOOD SECURITY:
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP helps low-income Coloradans purchase food by providing individuals and families with a monthly cash benefit that can be used to buy certain foods. SNAP is an entitlement program that is funded by the federal and state governments and administered by counties in Colorado.

State Department: Department of Human Services

Eligibility: Currently, Coloradans qualify for SNAP if they have incomes below 200% FPL, are unemployed or work part-time or receive other forms of assistance such as TANF, among other eligibility criteria. Income eligibility for SNAP was different during the study period of this report than today—it was 130% FPL back in 2019 for example. The US Department of Agriculture uses the population at or below 125% FPL when calculating the Program Access Index (or PAI) for SNAP. We follow this practice in our analysis despite Colorado currently having a higher income eligibility threshold.

Program Benefits: SNAP participants receive a monthly SNAP benefit that is determined by the number of people in their household and their income. Benefit amounts decrease as income increases, helping households avoid a sudden loss of SNAP when their incomes increase, even by a minor amount. Benefits are provided to an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that can be used to purchase eligible food items, such as fruits and vegetables; meat, poultry, and fish; dairy products; and breads and cereals. Other items, such as foods that are hot at their point of sale, are not allowable purchases under current SNAP rules.

Program Funding and Access: SNAP, like Medicaid, is a federal entitlement program. This means that Colorado must serve any Coloradan who is eligible for the program. As such, funding should not be a limit to how many Coloradans can be served by the program. However, funding for administration of SNAP at the state and county level can limit the ability of county human service departments to enroll those who are eligible. Other program rules and administrative barriers can make it difficult for Coloradans to receive the benefits they are legally entitled to receive.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 61.1% of the population at or below 125% of FPL (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for SNAP) were enrolled.

FOOD SECURITY:
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN (WIC)

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also know as WIC, provides healthcare and nutritional support to low-income Coloradans who are pregnant, recently pregnant, breastfeeding, and to children under 5 who are nutritionally at risk based on a nutrition assessment.

State Department: Department of Public Health and Environment

Eligibility: To participate in WIC you must be pregnant, pregnant in the last six months, breastfeeding a baby under 1 year of age, or a child under the age of 5. Coloradans do not need to be U.S. citizens to be eligible for WIC. In terms of income, households cannot have incomes that exceed 185% FPL. Families who are enrolled in SNAP, TANF, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Medicaid are automatically eligible for WIC. Regardless of gender, any parents, foster parents, or caregivers are able to apply for and use WIC services for eligible children.

Program Benefits: WIC provides a range of services to young children and their parents. These include funds to purchase healthy, fresh foods; breastfeeding support; personalized nutrition education and shopping tips; and referrals to health care and other services participants may be eligible for.

Program Funding and Access: WIC is funded by the US Department of Agriculture. The state uses these federal funds to contract with local providers, known as WIC Clinics. In most cases, these are county public health agencies, but that is not the case in all Colorado counties. Some WIC Clinics cover multiple counties, while others are served by multiple clinics. Private non-profit providers are also eligible to be selected as a WIC Clinic.

Statewide Program Access 2015-17: Between 2015 and 2017, an average of 52.2% of the population eligible for WIC were enrolled in the program in Colorado.

Financial Security:
Colorado Works

Colorado Works is the name given to Colorado’s program for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF. It is an employment program that supports families with dependent children on their path to self-sufficiency. Participants can receive cash assistance, schooling, workforce development and skills training depending on the services available in their county.

State Department: Department of Human Services

Eligibility: In general, Coloradans are eligible to enroll in TANF if they are a resident of Colorado, have one or more children under the age of 18 or pregnant, and have very low or no income. For example, to be eligible to receive a basic cash assistance grant through TANF, a single-parent of one child could not earn more than $331 per month, with some exclusions—and would only receive $440 per month (as of 2022). That said, there are other services provided by counties through TANF that those with incomes as high as $75,000 may be eligible for. In addition to these, participants in TANF are required to work or be pursuing an eligible “work activity” or work-related activity. Any eligible individual can only receive assistance if they have not previously been enrolled in TANF for a cumulative amount of time of more than 60 months—this is a lifetime limit that does not reset. Counties may have additional requirements and offer benefits that are not available in other counties in Colorado.

Program Benefits:  While the exact benefits that one is eligible for under TANF can vary, all qualified participants are eligible to receive a monthly cash payment, call basic cash assistance. Other than cash assistance, counties are have a lot of choice in how to use their TANF funding; generally a use of TANF funds is appropriate so long as it advances one or more of the four purposes of the program: (1) provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of their relatives; (2) end the dependence of needy families on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; (3) prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and (4) encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

It is important to note that those eligible for TANF are also eligible for many of the other programs we’ve included in this report, such as SNAP, Medicaid, and CCCAP.

Program Funding and Access: Colorado funds its TANF program through funds received from the federal government through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant. Most of the federal funds are allocated by the state to counties, which are required to provide a 20% match of state funding. Federal and state rules allow the state and counties to retain a portion of unspent funds in a TANF reserve.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 50.7% of the population at or below 100% of FPL (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for TANF) were enrolled in TANF in Colorado.

EARLY LEARNING:
COLORADO CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CCCAP)

The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program provides child care assistance to low-income families and caregivers living in Colorado in the form of reduced payments for child care. It is a program funded by the federal, state, and county governments and is administered by counties in Colorado. The share owed by parents/caregivers is determined on a sliding scale based on the family’s income.

State Department: Department of Early Childhood Education

Eligibility: Counties set eligibility for families separately, but must serve families with incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Limit. Families accepted to the program are no longer eligible once their income exceeds 85% of the state median income. Parents or caregivers must be employed, searching for work, or engaged in another approved activity to be eligible for CCCAP. Parents and caregivers enrolled in Colorado Works (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF) or in the child welfare system are also eligible to participate in CCCAP. Generally, CCCAP serves families with children under 13, although children as old as 19 may be eligible under certain circumstances.

Program Benefits: If a family is eligible for CCCAP and has income, they may likely have to pay a portion of their child’s or children’s child care costs each month. The amount that families owe is based on their gross income, number of household members, and the number of children in child care in the household. As such, households tend not to experience a benefit cliff with CCCAP when they see their incomes increase

Program Funding and Access: Colorado funds the CCCAP program using federal dollars it receives from the Child Care and Development Block Grant program. The state allocates federal and state funds to counties using a formula that takes into account factors like current caseloads and the number of eligible residents. Assistance is available until the county’s funds are spent, so the number of families that can be served is often a function of how much funding is available and the income and composition of the household that applies. It is not uncommon for counties to overspend or underspend their allocations of funds. The state reallocates unspent funds from counties who underspent to those who overspent. While underspending could indicate a problem with the way a county administers its CCCAP program, it could just as likely be a sign that there are few providers in the county who participate in CCCAP—or a lack of providers generally.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 10.8% of the population at or below 165% of FPL and younger than age 13 (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for CCCAP) were enrolled in CCCAP.

Housing:
HUD rental assistance programs

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has three housing assistance programs that we look at together: Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), Project-based Section 8, and Public Housing. In Colorado, these programs provided assistance to over 90% of the households who received federal housing assistance from all HUD programs. Through federally funded, local or regional public housing agencies (PHAs) are the agencies that administer these programs, through not all are available in all counties. These are not the only programs available in Colorado that assist households afford the cost of housing, such as units funded through federal and state tax credit programs.

State Department: Department of Local Affairs

Eligibility: Generally, households with incomes under 50% of the area median income (AMI) of the county they live in are eligible for these rental assistance programs, although PHAs have discretion to select households with incomes at higher percentages of AMI. That said, HUD requires that 75% of new vouchers issued through the Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 program in a given year are targeted to households with incomes at or below 30% of AMI. PHAs are also able to create criteria that give priority to certain types of households who are on waiting lists for these programs.

Program Benefits: These rental assistance programs help households afford the cost of housing by reducing their housing costs to around 30% of their household income. In the case of the Housing Choice Voucher program, the PHA pays the voucher holder’s landlord the remaining portion of the rent.

Program Funding and Access: Funding and access are both challenges for these rental assistance programs. In addition to limitations on the number of public housing units or housing vouchers a PHA can manage or issue, lack of funding compared to the need constrains the ability of PHAs to assist low-income households. In 2020, Coloradans were on waitlists for Housing Choice Vouchers for an average of 17 months. Waitlists also exist for the other rental assistance programs.

Statewide Program Access 2015-19: Over the study period of this report, an average of 21.1% of renter households with incomes at or below 50% AMI (i.e., the population who is likely to be eligible for HUD rental assistance programs) were living in subsidized housing.