BRINGING THE DIGNITY OF WORK TO EVERY ABLE AND WILLING INDIVIDUAL
WORK
EMAIL UPDATES
MORE THAN A PAYCHECK
CKS Packaging is a successful business that also supports those in their community. Through worker training programs, they are providing long-term employment in a stable work environment.
The Unintended Consequences of Generous Unemployment Benefits
Since 2016, the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) has demonstrated the existence of welfare cliffs. Now a team of five economists has come to the same conclusion. Welfare cliffs are an unfortunate feature of the American welfare system.
Welfare Without Dignity Doesn’t Work
The fact of the matter is that systems like Medicaid, food stamps, and other programs are not designed to move people into a better life. Instead, they are a stop-gap that simply meets an immediate or temporary need.
Welfare Cliffs Exist—Concludes Team of Economists
Since 2016, the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) has demonstrated the existence of welfare cliffs. Now a team of five economists has come to the same conclusion. Welfare cliffs are an unfortunate feature of the American welfare system.
PROGRAMS
HIRING WELL DOING GOOD
A platform that brings local non-profits and businesses together to provide work.
PRISONER RE-ENTRY
Resources for ex-offenders to help bring opportunity and hope.
YOUTH APPRENTICESHIPS
Offering opportunities that will jump start opportunity for youth in our communities.
POLICY
CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE
The opportunity for abuse and the lack of accountability is resulting in a system of corruption.
PAID FAMILY LEAVE
How businesses can support and foster strong families through workplace initiatives.
WELFARE REFORM
Addressing the policies of welfare so that we meet needs while removing obstacles that trap people on welfare.
HIRING EX-OFFENDERS
How and why businesses can institute second chance programs in their community.
POLICY HANDBOOK
Public Policies for a Thriving Georgia.
WELFARE CLIFFS
A website for identifying unintended consequences of policy that traps people in welfare.
ADDITIONAL POLICY
INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY
Exploring ways to break the cycle of poverty passed from generation-to-generation.
YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP IN GEORGIA
Dr. Lerman’s most recent report, focuses on Georgia’s Youth Apprenticeship program, created in the mid 1990s with fewer than 400 student participants. Today, the program has grown to more than 3,000 students in nearly 350 schools across the state.
SYSTEMIC WELFARE IN GEORGIA: PART 1 THE CASE FOR REFORM
Part 1 of 3 in a report on systemic welfare. This report demonstrates how the current system does not meet these assumptions and points to the need for reform.
SYSTEMIC WELFARE IN GEORGIA: PART 2 PRINCIPLES AND FRAMEWORK FOR REFORM
Part 2 of 3 in a report on systemic welfare. In this report we explore the new system as we imagine it could be, give guiding principles, provide a general framework for how the reformed system can function, and establish preliminary steps needed to implement the vision.
SYSTEMIC WELFARE IN GEORGIA: PART 3 HOW THE NEW SYSTEM WILL WORK
Part 3 of 3 in a report on systemic welfare. In the final report we present a structure Georgia’s governor and executive agencies could adopt to effectively and in relatively short order implement a reformed system.
OUR PARTNERS
OUR WORK STAFF
Eric Cochling
Chief Program Officer
Kristin Barker
HWDG Program Manager
Kelsey Underwood
Agile Product Manager
Erik Randolph
Director Of Research