self sufficiency

Although the Federal Poverty Measure is the most common and widely used measure of economic distress, it is not necessarily the most realistic measurement of what a working person or family needs to earn in order to be self-sufficient, i.e., to meet their most basic needs without any public or private assistance or supports. One alternative measurement of economic well-being is the Self-Sufficiency Standard.

A presentation on the Bell Policy Center's report, "Opportunity Lost: When Hard Work Isn't Enough for Colorado Families."

A Boulder Daily Camera commentary laying out the Bell Policy Center's 2006 agenda to: close the achievement gap, get more low-income students into college, promote self-sufficiency and expand health care coverage.

A Boulder Daily Camera commentary outlining the findings of the national report, "Working Hard, Falling Short: America's Working Families and the Pursuit of Economic Security," which describes the difficulty low-income families have working their way to self-sufficiency.

Articles: CO Receives Low Marks for Child Welfare, US Schools Still Segregated, Bill to Create CO High School Commission goes to Gov., Two New Reports on Self-Sufficiency in CO