If you’ve been following recent news in Ģ����Ƶ about the —better known as SNAP or food stamps—you might have heard an alarming number: 

Ģ����Ƶ’s SNAP payment error rate was 15.21% in 2025.

�ճ󲹳�’s . And under new federal rules, it could cost Ģ����Ƶ hundreds of millions of dollars.

So what does the error rate mean for taxpayers, families, and the people who administer SNAP?

And what are Ģ����Ƶ lawmakers doing to reduce it?

What Does the SNAP Error Rate Measure?

A SNAP payment error happens when a household receives more or less in benefits than it should have. In 2025, 13.62% of Ģ����Ƶ’s SNAP payments were overpayments, and 1.59% were underpayments. Added together, these two percentages total the state’s error rate.

In April of 2025, about 1.88 million Ģ����Ƶns relied on SNAP assistance to feed their families. That means that over 255,000 payments were too high, while about 30,000 were too low.

It’s important to note that making an error isn’t the same thing as committing fraud. Fraud is intentional. SNAP payment errors are usually unintentional and can happen when a household’s information changes, an eligibility worker makes a mistake, or the system that administers the program calculates benefits incorrectly.

Why Is the Error Rate Getting Attention Now?

The federal government has historically paid the full cost of SNAP benefits.

But with the passage of the in 2025, most states with SNAP error rates of 6% or higher will have to pay a share of their residents’ benefits starting in October of 2027. The higher the error rate, the higher the state’s share will be:

• Error rate below 6%: state will pay 0% of SNAP benefits
• Error rate from 6% to 8%: state will pay 5% of SNAP benefits
• Error rate from 8% to 10%: state will pay 10% of SNAP benefits
• Error rate of 10% or higher: state will pay 15% of SNAP benefits

At Ģ����Ƶ’s current SNAP payment error rate of 15.21%, the state could soon face a cost of about $500 million a year to make sure everyone receives their payments. 

This creates a big potential burden for taxpayers because Ģ����Ƶ could have to raise taxes or cut public services to increase revenues enough to pay the state’s share of SNAP benefits. 

For families who use SNAP payments to help put food on the table, the discovery of an incorrect benefit amount—either too high or too low—could create uncertainty as they work to manage a tight budget. They might be especially worried about having to pay something back if they’ve been receiving overpayments. 

The high error rate also has SNAP recipients wondering whether they’ll face changes to eligibility requirements or even reduced access to the program if the state isn’t able to cover all the new costs.

But the federal government has granted Ģ����Ƶ and other states with error rates over 13.34% permission to delay the start of their SNAP cost-sharing until October of 2028. 

That extra year creates a window of opportunity for Ģ����Ƶ’s leaders to address the issue, but they still need to act quickly.

What Can Ģ����Ƶ Do to Reduce Its Error Rate?

Lawmakers are already making key changes that should lower Ģ����Ƶ’s SNAP error rate: 

• They increased funding for SNAP in the new state budget that took effect in July of 2026, including $6.9 million specifically dedicated to reducing the error rate. 
• They’re expanding administrative staff training on the complicated SNAP eligibility rules and empowering case workers to conduct more thorough case reviews. 
• They’ve submitted waiver requests to the federal government to allow the state to automate more of the eligibility process.

Moving forward, state leaders are also planning to improve , the online system Ģ����Ƶns use to apply for and manage SNAP and other public benefits. Better technology should make it easier for families to submit information correctly and for eligibility workers to process cases accurately.

And as lawmakers implement these SNAP system improvements, they could also explore . That would make it easier for someone receiving public assistance to gain skills, find a job, and become self-sufficient—so they can thrive without welfare benefits.

What’s the True Measure of a Successful Welfare Program?

Safety net programs like SNAP are vital to the well-being of people and communities across Ģ����Ƶ. They support individuals and families when they face challenges like disabilities or temporary hardships. 

So it’s crucial that these programs operate correctly, but it’s also essential to make sure they achieve their ultimate goal. 

After all, the true measure of a program’s success isn’t just a low error rate—it’s the ability of that program to help break cycles of poverty and make it easier, not harder, for Ģ����Ƶns and their families to flourish.

Additional Resources

Alliance for Opportunity

CBS News

Ģ����Ƶ Budget & Policy Institute

Ģ����Ƶ Recorder

U.S. Food and Nutrition Administration

U.S. Food and Nutrition Administration

U.S. Food and Nutrition Administration

The post What Is Ģ����Ƶ’s SNAP Error Rate? And What Can Policymakers Do Ģ����Ƶ It? appeared first on For Opportunity.

In many ways, Ģ����Ƶ’s economy is booming.

The state is attracting top-tier businesses, and more Ģ����Ƶns are working than ever before. In June of 2026, almost 5.3 million people held jobs in Ģ����Ƶ. The state’s unemployment rate was also just 3.4%, well below the national average of 4.2%.

And as of the end of 2025, Ģ����Ƶ had about 275,000 job openings.

That all sounds like great news—and it is.

But strong employment numbers don’t tell the whole story.

Many of Ģ����Ƶ’s job-seekers are still wrestling with a big question: “Where can I find a job I can actually get, keep, and live on?”

The Everyday Challenges of the Job Search in Ģ����Ƶ

A lack of motivation is rarely what stands between Ģ����Ƶns and meaningful work. 

Instead, many people are having a hard time figuring out which educational and training programs will open doors to available jobs. They may have general education backgrounds but not the specific skills, certifications, or hands-on experience today’s employers are looking for.

And finding a job that matches a job-seeker’s qualifications is only part of the equation. An employment opportunity also has to work with the realities of their everyday life. Families across Ģ����Ƶ can face barriers to work involving: 

• Access to child care
• Transportation to work
• Re-entry into the workforce after incarceration
• Disability-related challenges
• Distance to resources and good jobs for those in rural areas

These hurdles can make a seemingly good job much harder to take—or to keep—and families have to figure out whether the potential paycheck would really make them better off. 

The income alone might not be enough to overcome the obstacles people struggle with. It could even cause an individual or family to face a benefit cliff, where a small increase in earnings leads to a much bigger decrease in welfare (safety net) support.

There are currently about 800,000 Ģ����Ƶns who aren’t working full time, including:

• Unemployed people who are looking for jobs
• Part-time workers who want to work full time
• People who have given up looking for work

For many of these individuals, the challenges of the search for rewarding full-time work can be complicated and overwhelming. Despite their efforts, they may feel stuck, discouraged, and unsure of how to move forward.

How State Leaders Can Build a Better Path to Work

Ģ����Ƶ policymakers can take much-needed steps to improve the job-search process and help connect more people to promising jobs:

1. Align Workforce Development Programs with Employer Demand: People shouldn’t spend months completing an educational program only to discover there are few openings that they’re qualified for. To prevent this, Ģ����Ƶ’s workforce development programs can coordinate with schools, technical colleges, and employers to structure education and training opportunities so they equip Ģ����Ƶns with the in-demand skills that lead directly to fulfilling careers.
2. Remove the Obstacles That Keep People from Working: To help those who face barriers to work, Ģ����Ƶ lawmakers can continue exploring a to managing government benefits and workforce services. By better integrating welfare and workforce development programs, policymakers can empower state agencies to address beneficiaries’ needs more holistically—connecting people to work while making sure they get the vital support that will enable them to take a job.
3. Make Quality Child Care More Accessible: Ģ����Ƶ’s leaders can help make child care more affordable and available by taking a careful look at rules that may unintentionally make it harder and more expensive for providers to serve families. By considering regulatory changes while preserving quality and safety, policymakers can enable new providers to enter the market, give parents additional choices, and help working families find care that fits their lives. 
4. Eliminate Benefit Cliffs: To reward rather than penalize people’s efforts to work, policymakers can eliminate benefit cliffs by gradually decreasing public assistance as workers earn more. This will encourage people to take meaningful jobs, accept promotions, or work more hours without fear of a steep drop in critical support.

How Local Communities Can Open Doors for Job-Seekers

Nonprofits, churches, and other community groups can also take action to help close the gap between Ģ����Ƶ’s employment numbers and the reality many families experience:

1. Connect Job-Seekers to Employers: Community organizations can work together to identify people who are struggling to find or keep jobs and provide them with access to local work readiness programs and businesses that are hiring. 
2. Help Employers Find Candidates: Just as importantly, community groups can learn what local employers actually need and help them connect with qualified candidates they might otherwise miss. 
3. Provide Continuous Support to Working Families: Getting a job is just one step toward stability and prosperity. Communities can continue to encourage their neighbors and help them adapt as they start new jobs and adjust their family routines. 

The Real Measure of Economic Growth

Ģ����Ƶ has successfully attracted new employers and become a destination for major investments. But the real measure of economic growth isn’t how many jobs are available. It’s whether Ģ����Ƶns can access those jobs and turn them into flourishing lives.

A good job should do more than cover today’s bills. It should create tomorrow’s opportunities. It should make it easier to support a family, save for important purchases, and open doors to upward mobility.

When policymakers and communities come together to help job-seekers, a strong economy can be something even greater: a pathway to stable, family-sustaining work and a brighter future for Ģ����Ƶns across the state.

Additional Resources

Alliance for Opportunity

Alliance for Opportunity

City Journal

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity 

Non-Working Adults Concentrated in Ģ����Ƶ’s Distressed Communities

Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity 

Ģ����Ƶ Department of Labor

Governor Brian P. Kemp, Office of the Governor

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The post Ģ����Ƶ Has 275,000 Open Jobs—Why Is Getting One So Hard? appeared first on For Opportunity.

For much of her early life, Ayonia Shipp believed she had everything planned out.

Raised in Columbus, Ģ����Ƶ, she excelled in school. She graduated near the top of her class from Shaw High School before earning her associate degree from Columbus Technical College in 2015. She imagined a future where she could build a career, get married, and eventually start a family.

Shortly after graduating high school, Ayonia began working for the Muscogee County Division of Family & Children Services, expecting the job to lead to the career she’d retire from. At the same time, another dream quietly lived in the back of her mind. After participating in Future Business Leaders of America in high school, she hoped to one day own a trucking company and build financial stability for herself and her family.

But life didn’t unfold the way she planned.

After becoming pregnant with her daughter, Dior, Ayonia unexpectedly lost her job. As she searched for new employment, repeated setbacks and barriers made each opportunity feel impossible. With every rejection, it became harder to believe her future could look different from her present.

Still, giving up was never an option.

“I wanted to wake up and not be stressed in my life,” Ayonia said. But beyond a new job, she needed hope.

Rebuilding Her Confidence Through BETTER WORK

That hope arrived in an unexpected place.

While attending a United Way Community Schools meeting to find speech therapy resources for Dior, someone asked if Ayonia had heard about the Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity’s BETTER WORK Program. She enrolled in the class BETTER WORK offered, hoping it might provide the fresh start she’d been looking for.

Ayonia entered the program believing she was already a confident person. But through the program, she began to realize that years of setbacks had affected how confidently she viewed her ability to change them.

“I learned that all the hardships in my life currently don’t have to be in my life in the future,” she said.

As the weeks went on, Ayonia realized that years of disappointment had quietly turned into fear and discouragement. Through conversations with facilitators, volunteers, and fellow participants, she began recognizing the obstacles that had been holding her back, both professionally and personally.

“The lesson that had the most impact on me was learning how to overcome roadblocks,” Ayonia shared. “The facilitators and other participants showed me that nothing is too large for me to overcome.”

One exercise became a turning point.

Through the program’s “30-second commercial” activity, participants practice introducing themselves to potential employers with confidence and clarity. For Ayonia, the exercise opened her eyes to what she was capable of.

“During the commercial exercise, I learned from the Champions that I only had to be myself,” she said. “That boosted my confidence and made me realize I can make a difference in my future job.”

For the first time in a long time, she began seeing herself the way others already did.

“I now know what I am capable of,” she said.

Finding Community Support That Lasts Beyond the Class

For Ayonia, one of the greatest gifts of BETTER WORK was the people she met.

Throughout the class, she found herself surrounded by mentors and classmates who believed in her long before she fully believed in herself. Opening up about her personal journey wasn’t easy, but it became one of the most freeing moments of the experience.

“The BETTER WORK class was the first time I shared my story,” Ayonia said. “That took the weight off my shoulders.”

Even after graduation, that support didn’t end.

Ayonia continues meeting weekly with BETTER WORK Program Manager Amber, who encourages her as she works toward new goals.

“I am so proud of Ayonia and her growth during and after the BETTER WORK class,” Amber said. “No matter what life throws at her, she always gets back up. Ayonia can find the silver lining in the darkest cloud and is a great encouragement to all of us.”

She also stays connected with her program Champion, Fred Blackwell, whose continued encouragement reminds her she isn’t walking this journey alone.

And Ayonia hears from volunteer Greg from time to time, who checks in to see how she’s doing. 

Those conversations serve as another reminder that the relationships built through BETTER WORK extend beyond the classroom.

Building a Career and a Future with Confidence

Today, Ayonia works for a private duty home health care company, a role that allows her the flexibility to take Dior to her weekly therapy appointments. While she continues pursuing opportunities in customer service, phone support, or data entry, she carries something even more valuable than a resume.

She carries confidence.

Now, Ayonia doesn’t define herself by the setbacks she’s faced. Instead, she chooses to focus on what she’s learned through them.

“You can’t let your past determine your future,” she said.

Ayonia is currently setting new goals, celebrating each milestone, and creating the life she once thought was no longer possible. Whether her future includes owning a trucking company or building a career in corporate America, she now believes she can achieve those goals. She also hopes her story will encourage others who are facing uncertainty to keep moving forward. 

Ayonia celebrates her BETTER WORK graduation with Dior.

Experience the Transformation BETTER WORK Offers

If you’d like to find a supportive community and connect to career pathways, employers, training, and local resources, please visit our BETTER WORK Program page.

The post How a Supportive Community Helped Ayonia See Her Potential Again appeared first on For Opportunity.

Millions of Americans rely on government-run safety net programs to help meet their fundamental needs. Also known as “welfare programs” or “public assistance,” safety net programs include the , the (SNAP or food stamps), , housing assistance, and childcare support, among many others.

These programs are meant to temporarily support individuals and families going through tough times as they rise above the poverty level and become self-sufficient again.

But these safety nets often function more like snare nets, trapping people in a complex web of formulas and rules that prevents them from taking and keeping promising jobs that would lead to a better future.

Frankie, a young woman who moved to Ģ����Ƶ for a new start, found herself in this very situation. She felt forced to turn down a great job that would have paid $70,000 per year. She needed the job, but she also needed the public assistance that would help her find an affordable home for her family. The new income would have made her ineligible for that crucial housing support.

How is it possible that well-intentioned government assistance programs are actually reinforcing cycles of poverty? People like Frankie who receive safety net support are facing harmful barriers to opportunity called “benefits cliffs.” This critical flaw in welfare programs discourages work and upward mobility and keeps people stuck in long-term cycles of government dependency.

What are benefits cliffs?

Many low-income workers experience , sometimes called “welfare cliffs.” In these disheartening situations, a small increase in earnings leads to a sudden and sharp decrease in, or even a total loss of, public assistance.

The higher wages push a worker’s income over the eligibility limit for one or more safety net programs, causing the abrupt loss of essential benefits. This leaves people worse off financially, despite doing everything right to get ahead.

Who do benefits cliffs affect?

Benefits cliffs, and their severity, depend on many factors. The number of people in a family, how much each person earns, and where they live can all play a role. Low-income working parents with young children are especially vulnerable to benefits cliffs because they frequently rely on multiple safety net programs to protect their family’s well-being.

A detailed developed by the Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity provides many scenarios showing how benefits cliffs can affect a family’s net earnings.

Let’s consider the situation of a working mother with two young children in Ģ����Ƶ who’s receiving benefits from five welfare programs:

• If she earns $12.50 per hour from her full-time job, her combined income from wages and public assistance will total about $45,000 annually.
• If she earns just 25¢ more per hour, she’ll face a net loss in income of almost $1,500 per year because of reduced safety net benefits.
• If she gets a slightly bigger raise of $1.25 per hour, she’ll lose so much in welfare benefits that her net income will decrease by a staggering $15,000 per year. That loss will pose a huge risk to her family’s health and financial stability.

What are the impacts of benefits cliffs?

Many public assistance recipients find themselves in deeply worrying circumstances after they take a better-paying job or accept a raise. Their income has increased too much to qualify for benefits, but it’s still not high enough to cover all their family’s essential needs like food, healthcare, housing, and childcare. In this demoralizing situation, people often feel like they’re being punished for trying to break free from government dependency.

Effects on career development

When individuals don’t accept fulfilling career opportunities, they lose the vital sense of dignity, purpose, and well-being that meaningful work and upward mobility provide.

“It makes you feel hopeless,” said . Carlotta was offered a rewarding job at a broadcast network in Ģ����Ƶ, but she instead took a lower-paying job that wouldn’t put her much needed medical benefits at risk.

Implications for mental health

Benefits cliffs can impact mental health in many ways as well. For example, , a working mom, struggled to afford housing after her income increased above the eligibility limit for public assistance. Rather than being excited about her advancing career, Joyelle felt scared. Her fears of not being able to take care of her family were “devastating” for her well-being, and she suffered from severe anxiety, stress, and depression.

Consequences for employers and communities

The negative impacts of benefits cliffs also spread to employers and local communities. When people are disengaged from work, businesses find themselves constantly hiring rather than building a strong, stable, and efficient workforce that can help the surrounding community grow and thrive.

How can policymakers address benefits cliffs?

Safety net programs help people survive on a basic level, but they don’t currently empower welfare recipients to rise above the poverty line so they can flourish and reach their true potential.

As Frankie asked of the safety net system, “Do you want me to really be better, or do you want me to really be poor?”

To solve this critical issue and reward progress rather than penalizing it, policymakers should eliminate benefits cliffs by gradually decreasing public assistance as workers earn more. This will encourage individuals to take meaningful jobs, accept promotions, or work more hours without fear of a benefits cliff. In addition, gradual benefit reductions will give families time to make financial plans as they move toward self-sufficiency.

Removing barriers to work also allows people to experience the powerful sense of dignity, purpose, and confidence that comes from a rewarding job and financial independence. And when people take jobs that confirm their inherent value and potential, it transforms not only their lives, but the lives of their family members as well.

As workforce participation increases, businesses can also hire and promote more workers. This will stabilize their staff and reduce inefficiencies that high turnover rates can cause. A thriving local economy will then lift and strengthen the entire community.

Research has shown that work is one of the key factors in breaking the cycle of poverty. It’s a gateway to a better future where people and communities can flourish. To open these doors, policymakers need to make changes, ensuring that benefits cliffs are no longer barriers on the pathway to opportunity.

Personal stories: What it’s like to face benefits cliffs

Frankie’s story

Frankie moved to Ģ����Ƶ for a new start. Instead, she faced a heartbreaking choice. Say “yes” to a good job offer, and she would become ineligible for the housing assistance she needed to get on her feet.

Joyelle’s story

Joyelle needed to fall back on public housing during a tough time in her life. She was determined to get back on her feet. After going back to school, she was offered an exciting full-time job with the state of Ģ����Ƶ. �ճ󲹳�’s when Joyelle got a shocking surprise: due to her new salary, her subsidized housing allowance disappeared overnight and left her feeling further behind than ever.

Additional resources

American Public Human Services Association

The Black Chronicle

Fed Communities

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Forbes

Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity

The Benefits Cliff
Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity

Confirmed. Welfare Cliffs Pervasive in 8 Southeast States
Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity

Disincentives for Work and Marriage in Ģ����Ƶ’s Welfare System
Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity

If You Accept This Raise, You Fall Off the Welfare Cliff
Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity

Nonfinancial Impact from Nonwork
Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity

Solving the Food Assistance (SNAP) Benefits Cliff
Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity

Welfare Cliffs Exist—Concludes Team of Economists
Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity

National Conference of State Legislatures

National Conference of State Legislatures

Sutherland Institute

The post Understanding Benefits Cliffs appeared first on For Opportunity.

When Cesar Martinez moved from Colombia to the United States in 2022, he was focused on building a better future for his family. Cesar is a former teacher who worked closely with local government leaders in his hometown. He left behind a career, a community, and familiarity in search of safety and opportunity for his wife and two sons.

The transition was far from easy. As an immigrant navigating a new country, Cesar faced language barriers, long work hours, and the constant pressure of providing for his family. He took whatever work he could find, from warehouse jobs and truck driving to cleaning Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Ģ����Ƶ. As the leader of his household, he carried the weight of making sure his family could succeed in their new life.

Cesar’s wife gently reminded him that while he was working hard to provide for their family, his presence was just as important. But he struggled to find purposeful time with his 9- and 11-year-old children.

Determined to be more involved in his children’s lives, Cesar looked for ways to spend meaningful time with them despite his demanding work schedule. He decided to coach his youngest son’s soccer team, a choice that would unexpectedly open new doors. 

Finding the Tools to Be the Father He Wanted to Be

Through connections he made on the field, Cesar was introduced to , where he eventually became the organization’s 2024 High School Director. There, he developed and expanded after-school programs that provided academic support, college and career preparation, and family engagement services for high school students in Gwinnett and DeKalb counties. 

It was through another trusted community connection that Cesar first learned about the Raising Highly Capable Kids (RHCK) program. While attending an open house at Central Gwinnett High School, Cesar was encouraged by the school principal to speak with a pastor who was sharing information about RHCK. Although the opportunity intrigued him, Cesar hesitated. He worried that his English might not be strong enough to fully understand the curriculum, and he wasn’t sure how he could fit 10 sessions into an already packed schedule.

Still, he decided to give it a chance, because he deeply desired to improve the dynamic of his family. For Cesar, that desire was rooted in his own childhood experiences.

He grew up in a home where conflict and intense arguments were common. When tensions escalated, he often left the house until everything was over. But when he returned, the distance between family members, the tears, and the emotional wounds remained. There were also times when discipline felt harsh. 

Some memories still affect Cesar today. When his two sons argue, he sometimes finds himself thinking about conflicts between his older brothers that deeply impacted his family. 

“I do not want my children to repeat those patterns,” Cesar said. “I want them to respect one another, care for each other’s hearts, and understand the value of their relationship as brothers.”

Cesar’s experiences shaped his motivation to create a different kind of environment for his own children and become a more intentional father. He wanted to build a home defined not by conflict, but by love, patience, respect, and healthy communication.

After attending the first RHCK session, any doubts Cesar had about the workshop quickly faded. “I need to be here,” he remembered thinking. “This program can give me tools to be a better father.”

One experience in the workshop resonated the most with Cesar. As another parent described the frustration of trying to manage a household when children didn’t follow directions, he saw his own family’s struggles reflected in her story. The exchange reminded him that many parents face similar challenges, and it made him feel less alone in his journey. The supportive environment helped him stay committed, and each session confirmed that his investment of time was worthwhile.

Making Changes His Family Could Feel

Before RHCK, tension and arguments were common in Cesar’s home. Like many parents balancing work, stress, and family responsibilities, he sometimes struggled to communicate and respond in difficult moments. While he deeply loved his family, he recognized that some of his habits were creating distance.

Throughout the RHCK program, he learned about the 40 Developmental Assets, the building blocks that equip parents to lead their children in healthy ways. For Cesar, the most impactful asset was “positive family communication.” It helped him learn and maintain practical tools for managing his emotions, communicating more effectively, and becoming a better listener. 

“In the past, I would often react quickly. Today, I try to pause, be more patient, and put myself in my child’s position. I try to ask questions and understand what they are feeling at that moment before responding,” Cesar said.

Cesar’s kids noticed the change in him. “At one point,” he recalled, “my children even asked their mother, ‘What is happening to Dad? He used to react differently, and now he is much more patient and doesn’t get angry as quickly.’”

The program also helped Cesar communicate better with his wife. “When she gives me advice about how to approach a situation with our children, I listen more carefully and try to work together with her,” Cesar said. “Overall, I have become much more intentional about building stronger communication within our family.”

The transformation was so meaningful that Cesar wanted other families to experience it, too. After completing RHCK, he encouraged his supervisor at Corners Outreach to bring the program to that organization. His efforts were successful, and today RHCK is helping even more parents around Norcross strengthen their relationships with their children.

Redefining What Success Means as a Parent

Cesar credits RHCK with helping him become a better husband, father, professional, and overall person. 

Five years ago, Cesar’s primary goal was finding a better job and creating financial stability for his family. While those goals still matter, he now believes one of the most important investments he can make is building a strong foundation at home—one rooted in trust, communication, and connection. That commitment shows up in simple but intentional ways. No matter how busy life becomes, Cesar prioritizes dedicated time with his children, even if it’s only 20 uninterrupted minutes of conversation each day.

He now measures success differently. It’s no longer defined by the job he holds or the hours he works, but by the relationships he’s building with the people he loves most.

Cesar’s story is a reminder that families will grow stronger when parents are supported. And when families thrive, entire communities benefit. What began as one father’s commitment to being more present has already helped other families through Corners Outreach, and Cesar hopes that impact will continue to spread. 

Bring the Transformation of RHCK to Your Family and Community

If you’re interested in getting the tools and support to bring more strength and stability to your family, please visit our Raising Highly Capable Kids page.

All images courtesy of Cesar Martinez.

The post The Father He Wanted to Be: Cesar’s Transformation Through RHCK appeared first on For Opportunity.

If you ask many engaged couples what’s worrying them before the big day, you’ll probably hear about things like catering budgets, guest lists, or finding the right dress.

But for thousands of working-class people in Ģ����Ƶ and across the country, something else is causing their wedding anxiety: the financial benefits they might lose.

Because of rules in our tax system, walking down the aisle can sometimes lead to what’s called a “marriage penalty.” Instead of helping couples build a stable foundation, current policies often force a heartbreaking choice: commit to each other legally, or make ends meet.

The Cost of Combining Incomes

The is one of our country’s largest anti-poverty initiatives. The credit increases with every dollar workers make, up to a point, and then phases out as a household earns more.

But the EITC can also be a hidden poverty trap. When low-income people get married, the tax system unintentionally penalizes them for doing exactly what they should to escape poverty: working hard, combining resources, and building a stable home. 

Imagine two parents who want to marry each other. The woman makes $18,000 per year, and the man makes $30,000 per year.

As a single head of household tax filer with two kids, the woman qualifies for a much-needed $7,200 tax credit.

Her partner files single and doesn’t qualify for the EITC.

Together, unmarried, they use the $7,200 credit the woman gets at tax time to pay debts or cover expenses.

But if they marry, the tax system starts phasing out their credit based on their new $48,000 joint income, and it instantly drops to about $3,770.

The new spouses lose $3,430 overnight—almost a full month’s income—just because they made their relationship official. 

For some, this can be too much of a loss to risk.

The Life-Changing Power of Marriage and Family Stability

Marriage can lead to more happiness and satisfaction for couples—two incomes to cover the bills, a partner who shares the responsibilities, and the sense of well-being that comes from experiencing life with someone you love.

And kids who grow up in stable, two-parent homes are more likely to thrive in school, have better physical and mental health, and break cycles of generational poverty. 

But many low-income families aren’t getting to experience these benefits, and policies that discourage marriage—like the ones involving the EITC—are part of the reason why. 

Statistics confirm a decrease in marriages but also their importance for families.

• Just 50% of American adults are currently married, down from 69% in 1970. The number is even lower for people with less education and those who don’t identify as White.
• 63% of children live with two married parents. Again, that number drops for less-educated and non-White Americans.
• When married parents are compared to single parents with the same level of education, the poverty rate for a married person is 75% lower.
• Children raised by married parents are 82% less likely to live in poverty.

When it comes to Ģ����Ƶ:

• 54% of women and 49% of men are unmarried.
• 38% of children live in single-parent families.
• 18% of children (461,000 kids) live in poverty—the fifth highest number in the country.
• The state ranks 39th in the nation for overall child and family well-being.

Big cultural shifts have changed how many people think about marriage—and this plays a role in decisions not to marry. But the data shows that a stable, two-parent home still provides families with more financial security and opportunities for upward mobility. It’s also one of the most powerful solutions for lifting children out of poverty.

A Less Risky Path to “I Do”

A new study from the Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity offers recommendations to make the EITC work better for low-income families. In particular, the federal government could adjust the maximum benefits and the eligibility limit for married couples. This would let new spouses combine their earnings without triggering an automatic loss of some or all of the credit. It would also remove a big barrier to building strong relationships and stable households.

Reforming the EITC won’t solve every challenge facing working-class families. But by restructuring the credit to reward partnership instead of penalizing it, the government can make sure that saying “I do” really is a celebration—a step toward a brighter future and a better quality of life for everyone in the family.

FAQs Ģ����Ƶ the EITC

Additional Resources

The post When a Love Story Meets the Tax Code appeared first on For Opportunity.

When Ģ����Ƶns vote for governor, they’re choosing more than a public figure. They’re electing the leader who sets the direction for everything from schools and public safety to taxes and the economy. 

While the governor can’t create laws like the legislature does, they shape daily life by deciding how the state will spend money, what bills get signed, and how certain public programs for families will operate. 

Quick Facts Ģ����Ƶ Ģ����Ƶ’s Governor

• Current Governor: Brian Kemp
• Next Election Date: November 3, 2026, for the general election 
• Term Length: Four years, with a maximum of two back-to-back terms
• Minimum Age Requirement: 30 years old by Inauguration Day
• Counties the Governor Serves: 159
• State Budget the Governor Oversees: $36.6 billion

How Does the Governor Impact Everyday Lives in Ģ����Ƶ?

1. The governor can sign—or stop—new laws.

After a bill passes in Ģ����Ƶ’s House and Senate, it goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. 

If the governor vetoes a bill, Ģ����Ƶ’s legislators can override that action, but only with a two-thirds majority in both chambers. To avoid a veto, lawmakers usually aim to pass legislation that reflects the governor’s policy priorities.

In 2026, Ģ����Ƶ’s legislature passed bills that created pathways for kids to take advanced math classes in earlier grades and to improve their reading skills. The bills aligned with Governor Kemp’s goal of increasing opportunities for Ģ����Ƶ students, and he signed them into law right after the legislative session ended.

On May 5, 2026, Governor Brian Kemp to support reading, math education, and K-12 schools in Ģ����Ƶ.
Photo Credit: . 

2. The governor helps decide where the money goes.

Every year, Ģ����Ƶ’s governor proposes a state budget that outlines how taxpayer dollars should be spent. Because the budget reflects the programs and services that will receive funding, it reveals the governor’s top priorities for the state. 

The legislature revises and passes the budget, but the governor still has a final influential role. Before signing the budget into law, the governor can use a line-item veto to remove parts of the budget they don’t agree with while leaving the rest as is. 

In May 2026, Governor Kemp signed , the state budget bill for the fiscal year starting July 1. The $36.6 billion budget directs most funding toward education, health care services, public safety, and economic growth—a clear signal of what the governor cares about. Before signing, Governor Kemp used his line-item veto authority, removing some expenses to keep the budget in balance after approving income tax cuts.

3. The governor chooses the leaders behind key family services.

Government policies aren’t implemented in one big speech or one dramatic vote. Instead, they’re carried out every day by state agencies, boards, and commissions.

The governor appoints many of the heads of those administrative offices. They oversee daily operations in workforce development, child and family services, public safety, licensing, education administration, and programs that help low-income Ģ����Ƶns.

The governor steers welfare (safety net) policies, for example, by appointing the members of the Board of Human Services. The members establish the state’s goals for welfare programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

4. The governor sets the policy agenda.

The governor has a powerful microphone: the annual “State of the State” address. At the beginning of the legislative session, the governor uses this speech to outline their priorities and encourage lawmakers to act on specific policies. 

And when the governor elevates an issue—whether it’s education, workforce development, public safety, or taxes—it usually moves quickly from a policy idea to serious legislative action. 

In his , Governor Kemp proposed decreasing the state income tax to 4.99% to help Ģ����Ƶns keep more of what they earn. The legislature followed up by passing , which the governor signed into law.

5. The governor leads during emergencies.

The governor uses executive orders and emergency powers to quickly mobilize state resources when storms, wildfires, public safety threats, or other emergencies hit. 

In April 2026, Governor Kemp for 91 counties in response to South Ģ����Ƶ wildfires and empowered state agencies to help affected residents and their families.

FAQs: The Ģ����Ƶ Governor’s Race in 2026 and the Election Process

How Is Ģ����Ƶ’s Governor Elected?

Ģ����Ƶns elect their governor through a direct popular vote. Unlike presidential elections, there isn’t an electoral college that casts deciding votes.

During primary elections, voters pick final candidates from each political party. Contenders have to earn at least 50% of the votes in the primary to win, so run-off elections are possible. 

The same requirement applies in the general election. If no candidate earns more than half the votes, the top two competitors head to a run-off.

Who Can Run for Governor?

A candidate must:

• Be at least 30 years old by the time they take office
• Have lived in Ģ����Ƶ for at least six years before the election
• Have been a U.S. citizen for at least 15 years

How Long Can a Governor Serve?

Ģ����Ƶ governors have four-year terms and can serve up to two back-to-back terms. Former governors can run again after sitting out for at least one term.

What Happens if a Governor Leaves Office Early?

The lieutenant governor is next in line for the job and serves until the next general election.

Which Political Parties Have Ģ����Ƶ’s Governors Belonged to Historically?

Ģ����Ƶns have elected Republican governors since 2003. Before then, Democratic governors had held the office continuously since 1872.

Source: , National Governors Association

What Issues Are Candidates Talking Ģ����Ƶ in 2026?

The rising cost of living is one of the biggest concerns for Ģ����Ƶ families—and it’s become a major focus in the 2026 governor’s race. Key affordability issues include:

• Income Taxes: Some candidates are proposing plans to further reduce or eliminate the state income tax so Ģ����Ƶns can keep more money in their own pockets. 
• Property Taxes: As housing costs continue to rise, contenders are thinking about freezing property taxes or increasing exemptions to ease the burden on homeowners. 
• Housing Shortages: Candidates are debating how much the state should get involved in local land-use regulations to spur construction of more homes, especially those at lower prices.
• Health Care: Gubernatorial hopefuls are proposing options to address Ģ����Ƶns’ health care concerns, including expanding Medicaid and reducing the cost of health insurance.

Beyond affordability, candidates are focusing on several other issues affecting families and communities across Ģ����Ƶ:

Welfare Reform: Contenders are thinking about how to lead the state in making big changes to welfare programs, including: 

• Implementing new work requirements for Medicaid and enforcing the ones for SNAP
• to avoid federal penalties
• Introducing a to integrate welfare and workforce systems and offer program participants a clearer route to rewarding jobs and long-term stability

Education: To give Ģ����Ƶ’s children better pathways to academic success, candidates are debating on more school choice vouchers, increased public school funding, and new early childhood education options. 

Public Safety: Competitors are prioritizing safety and security for Ģ����Ƶ communities by looking at ways to tackle gang activity, reform the juvenile justice system, and reduce repeat offenses. 

Why Does Understanding the Governor’s Role Matter?

Candidates know that more needs to be done to break down the economic and social barriers so many people are facing, and they’re making plans to take action if elected. But policymakers aren’t the only ones responsible.

Understanding the governor’s vital role and what they’ll do to meet the daily needs of Ģ����Ƶ families and neighborhoods can help voters guide meaningful change. By casting their ballots, Ģ����Ƶns can bring even more promise and prosperity to the state—making it a place where everyone has the chance to achieve their full potential and thrive.

Additional Resources

270 to Win

Alliance for Opportunity

Alliance for Opportunity

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia

CBS News

Understanding Welfare Work Requirements: New Eligibility Rules for SNAP and Medicaid
Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity

Ģ����Ƶ Public Broadcasting

Ģ����Ƶ Public Broadcasting

Ģ����Ƶ Public Policy Foundation

NBC News

State of Ģ����Ƶ

State of Ģ����Ƶ

State of Ģ����Ƶ

Image Credits: Canva; , Ģ����Ƶ Office of the Governor

The post How Ģ����Ƶ’s Governor Impacts Your Daily Life: Understanding the Role and the Election Process appeared first on For Opportunity.

The 2025 annual report for the Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) Raising Highly Capable Kids (RHCK) program confirms the big impact the workshops are having on children, families, and communities across Ģ����Ƶ. GCO collaborated with the Department of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Ģ����Ƶ to prepare the report. It offers strong data for measuring and understanding the outcomes for both parents and children.

RHCK is a workshop offered by GCO in partnership with local organizations. It’s designed to give families the tools, confidence, and support to raise healthy, responsible, caring kids.

During GCO’s RHCK sessions, participants learn about the , which were identified by the Search Institute. The assets are the essential qualities and experiences that enable kids to become well-rounded, resilient adults. 

GCO and its partners offered 15 RHCK workshops at 12 locations in 2025. Participants took pre- and post-workshop surveys that illustrated the ways families had grown stronger throughout the program. Almost everyone who took the post-workshop survey (99%) said they’d learned new parenting skills, and all the participants shared that they’d found ways to encourage the development of the assets in their children. 

When parents answered open-ended questions about their experiences with RHCK, they drove home some of the lessons they’d learned:

“Better appreciation for how parenting affects overall outcome, not just of individual children but the family and community as a whole.” 

“Everything in life revolves around morality, and this is so important in feeling that you matter and have purpose.” 

“Fostering empathy and friendship skills are super important for a child to thrive in the world today.” 

These quotes reflect workshop discussions related to two Developmental Asset categories in particular: Positive Values and Social Competencies. Parents saw some of the biggest transformations in their kids in these areas. 

The assets in the Positive Values and Social Competencies categories empower children to build the confidence to engage with others in meaningful ways. By increasing their parenting skills in these categories, RHCK participants opened doors to opportunities for their kids to cultivate a robust, supportive community and a rewarding life for themselves as they grow up.

Parents in our Spring 2026 Raising Highly Capable Kids cohort gather for a session to learn how their personalities and their pasts shape their parenting journeys. 

Instilling Positive Values in Children

During GCO’s RHCK workshops, participants learned the importance of making sure their kids possess the positive values that are vital for building strong character, fostering empathy and kindness, and becoming responsible citizens. Key examples of the assets in the Positive Values category include:

• Caring: Parents support their child in developing a heart for helping others.
• Equality and Social Justice: Parents teach children the importance of treating others equally and finding ways to lend a hand to those in need.
• Integrity: Parents guide children to stand up for their beliefs.
• Honesty: Parents encourage kids to always tell the truth.
• Responsibility: Parents teach children to accept responsibility for their behavior.

In the post-workshop survey responses, 96% of participants said they’d increased their knowledge and parenting skills in the Positive Values asset category to a medium or large extent. By helping their children grow in these areas, parents are equipping them to follow foundational guiding principles.

Ensuring Kids Are Socially Competent

RHCK participants also learned about the powerful role social competence can play in forming relationships. The assets in the Social Competencies category reflect children’s ability to handle social interactions effectively, even potentially negative ones. These assets include:

• Planning and Decision-Making: Parents help children plan ahead and make good choices.
• Interpersonal Competence: Parents make sure their kids care about other people’s feelings, enjoy making friends, and learn skills to manage anger.
• Cultural Competence: Parents teach children how to form relationships with people of different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds and how to be comfortable with their own identity.
• Resistance Skills: Parents encourage children to resist negative peer pressure. 
• Peaceful Conflict Resolution: Parents teach their kids positive ways to resolve conflicts.

In the post-workshop survey responses, 95% of participants said they’d increased their knowledge and parenting skills in the Social Competencies asset category to a medium or large extent. When parents help their children develop these assets, kids can better evaluate situations, understand people’s emotions, and behave appropriately around others.

“We have a common denominator of wanting the best for our children and making sure that we are intentional about providing them every opportunity, surrounding them with great people who love and support them, who will push them, making sure not only that they excel academically, but socially in the community, and just being aware that they have what they need inside already to be successful.”

— Jackie, Houston County parent and RHCK participant 

Empowering Young People to Build Community

Positive values and social competencies are closely linked. In fact, good values help set the stage for children to become socially competent. And these assets are invaluable for children’s futures. 

Having a high level of social competence enables young people to succeed academically, actively engage with others, and enjoy a strong sense of self-esteem and well-being. These outcomes then increase the likelihood that children will graduate from high school, find meaningful work as adults, experience lifelong resilience, and thrive.

Above all, positive values and social competencies make it possible for kids to form supportive relationships and build vibrant communities. They’ll be well prepared to pay attention to people’s needs and to lend a helping hand to others. And through these connections, they’ll flourish—even as they pave the way for others to grow and blossom, too.

Learn More

If you’re interested in getting the tools and support to raise healthy, responsible, caring children, please visit GCO’s Raising Highly Capable Kids webpage.

The post Raising Highly Capable Kids Program Increases Positive Values and Social Skills in Children appeared first on For Opportunity.

• Shaneika Murphy turned to the Raising Highly Capable Kids program as her sons were becoming teenagers. She wanted to make sure she supported them through all the changes middle school and high school would bring.
• During the program, Shaneika also learned how crucial it is for parents and families to have a supportive community surrounding them.
• After completing the Raising Highly Capable Kids workshop as a parent, Shaneika became a program facilitator, and she now supports other parents. Her sons volunteer with the program, too. Together, the Murphys are a shining example of how strong families build strong communities.

Shaneika Murphy felt nervous about the big transitions she was facing in 2024. Her two sons were starting middle school and high school—a new phase of life for everyone in the family. And Shaneika found herself asking, “How do we navigate this?”

Shaneika is a behavioral therapist, so she had worked with other children who struggle with challenges. But as a parent, she was anxious about how to help her teenage sons develop healthy behaviors and relationships. “Middle school, it’s a whole different thing,” she said. “Right when you think you’ve got the parenting skills down and everything—oh, we’re good, we’re communicating—and then boom, they’re in middle school.”

Shaneika started looking for opportunities to learn how to better connect and communicate with her children. Through a school newsletter, she found out about the Raising Highly Capable Kids (RHCK) program, a workshop offered by the Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity in partnership with local organizations. RHCK is designed to give families the tools, confidence, and support to raise healthy, responsible, caring kids. 

Excited about the chance to enhance her parenting skills, Shaneika enrolled in the fall 2024 RHCK cohort offered by the . She found the program so rewarding that she participated again in the spring of 2025.

The support Shaneika and her family received during the RHCK workshops is now rippling outward. Every member of the Murphy family is finding ways to help others thrive. And in doing so, they’re creating a sense of community that’s changing not only their lives, but also the lives of many others.

Empowering Children Through Family Support

The RHCK workshops gave Shaneika the tools she needed to bring stability to her family and to help her children feel supported and equipped to succeed. During the sessions, she learned about the , which were identified by the Search Institute. The assets are the essential qualities and experiences that enable kids to become well-rounded and resilient adults. 

The Developmental Assets that stood out to Shaneika the most involved the idea of support. Taking what she learned from the sessions, she made sure that her children felt loved and supported at home, where real transformation could begin. “When they’re feeling great, or when they’re not feeling great—there’s things that are bothering them or things that are on their mind—they need to have that safe space within their parents,” Shaneika said.

By helping her children feel safe and supported, Shaneika strengthened the most influential part of their lives—their family—and laid the groundwork for their future growth and development.

Shaneika makes sure to spend quality time with her husband, sons, and nephew—the family she guides and supports.

The support Shaneika and her family received during the RHCK workshops is now rippling outward. Every member of the Murphy family is finding ways to help others thrive. 

Discovering a Supportive Community for Parents

During the RHCK workshops, Shaneika also discovered the invaluable benefits of a meaningful and supportive community among fellow parents. The close relationships that formed during the sessions made a big impression on her. She described the RHCK program as an opportunity for “making community”—and “building a family if you don’t have one.” 

Shaneika and the other parents in the workshop formed deep connections with each other, sharing both their strengths and weaknesses. She felt supported on every level. “I had people that were pushing me to do better, pushing me to be greater and be more excellent, and in other areas besides parenting as well,” she explained. The bonds Shaneika formed with other parents during the workshops continue to uplift her even today.

Evolving from Learning to Leading

While Shaneika was participating in the RHCK workshop, one of the facilitators, Dr. Tonya Moore, noticed how Shaneika’s professional skills as a behavioral therapist helped her support other parents. “I observed Shaneika organically building rapport with the parents. . . . She also displayed an interest in bringing resources to parents,” Tonya explained. 

Drawing on Shaneika’s strengths, Tonya worked with her to develop Parent Café, a prayer and support group that connected parents during and after RHCK workshops. She also started thinking about how Shaneika could continue supporting workshop participants and the broader community by becoming an RHCK facilitator.

When Tonya approached Shaneika about the opportunity, Shaneika was hesitant at first. She didn’t feel very comfortable speaking in front of others. But Tonya gently pushed Shaneika out of her comfort zone, boosting her confidence and encouraging her to take on the new role.

And when Shaneika settled her nerves and became a facilitator in the fall of 2025, she realized she had a passion for it. “It’s one of the more purposeful things that I’ve done,” she reflected. “I look at it as an honor to be able to do that because, in some way, I may be able to help the next generation with something that I’ve said or something that I’ve helped a parent to understand or realize.” 

As a parent, Shaneika had gained so much from the support RHCK offered her, and now she could support the families in her community in return. She was also setting an example for her sons, showing them how to overcome fears and to serve their neighbors in need.

Shaneika serves as an RHCK facilitator in Lamar County, Ģ����Ƶ, where she helps other parents and caregivers find the tools and support they need to build stronger families and communities.

During an RHCK workshop, Shaneika led parents and caregivers in an activity that drove home the importance of teaching children to lean on others for support.

Receiving Support When Times Got Tough

Through her experiences as both an RHCK participant and a facilitator, Shaneika built a strong, supportive community for her family. And when she had a major surgery followed by a long recovery process, that community stepped in to help out. 

One of the RHCK facilitators created a meal train to help the Murphy family, and other facilitators and parents contributed financially and with their prayers. People also regularly stopped by to check on Shaneika’s husband and children, making sure they had everything they needed.

The support system Shaneika had developed was once again wrapping itself around her, and also showing her children the powerful impact a caring community can make.

Inspiring Children to Build Community

To continue supporting her boys as they grow into responsible, thoughtful young men, Shaneika is now helping them develop skills for positive social interactions and active community engagement. 

To serve others, Shaneika’s sons started volunteering with RHCK during the fall of 2025. They read to the younger children while their parents take part in the RHCK workshop. They also help out after each session, putting away supplies and making sure participants get to their cars safely. Volunteering has even sparked an interest in Shaneika’s oldest son in getting a job.

And RHCK participants and facilitators have noticed the good work Shaneika’s sons are doing. The praise the boys receive gives them an extra boost of confidence. “They hear it from me all the time. They hear it from their dad. They’re great. They’re going to be successful,” Shaneika shared. “But when you hear it from someone outside of your circle, it just kind of rings a little bit more.”

Through RHCK, Shaneika also learned about a class that paired young boys with mentors. She enrolled her children, and they’re now thriving in the program. Shaneika’s husband saw the impact of the class on his sons, and he became a mentor through the same program. 

As both parents and role models, Shaneika and her husband want their sons to understand the power of connecting with people so they can not only be supported but also offer support to others. “You want them to be contributing citizens to their community,” Shaneika emphasized.

Continuously Expanding the Circles of Support

Through Shaneika, the waves of support have steadily rolled outward. The RHCK program gave her the tools to support her family through the many ups and downs that middle school and high school can bring. She also built a supportive community to help them flourish. As a facilitator, Shaneika empowered other parents to create stability and community for their families. And now, her whole family is finding ways to serve others. In Shaneika’s words, “It’s just this effect that keeps on going.” 

Above all, the supportive relationships Shaneika has formed and nurtured continue to strengthen both her own family and others who need a community—and, as she described it, “a family away from family.”

Bring the Transformation of RHCK to Your Family and Community 

If you’re interested in getting the tools and support to bring more strength and stability to your family, please visit our Raising Highly Capable Kids page.

The post Strengthening Her Family, Building Her Community: Shaneika Murphy’s Passion for Helping Others Flourish appeared first on For Opportunity.

GCO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that focuses on ensuring access to quality education, fulfilling work, and healthy family lives through research, policy analysis, and community initiatives. We advance solutions that increase opportunity and give Ģ����Ƶ families a durable path out of poverty. We are also a founding member of the Alliance for Opportunity, a multi-state coalition focused on improving state-administered public assistance and workforce programs to help Americans achieve lasting opportunity and stability.

The Stronger Workforce for America Act aligns with our work and includes an invaluable option for state flexibility, the Make America Skilled Again Grants. These grants would allow 10 states to implement the model, which would empower them to integrate their safety net and workforce systems.

Utah has had this authority for nearly 30 years, after being grandfathered into the strategy. This has enabled Utah to provide its citizens with both support to meet their immediate needs and a clearer path into the workforce and toward self-sufficiency.

The results of Utah’s One Door policy are impressive. For example, the state has outpaced the national labor force participation (LFP) rate, or the number of working-age people employed or looking for a job, by an average of 5.3%. As of late 2025, Utah’s LFP rate was approximately 67.6%, one of the highest in the nation.

In contrast, Ģ����Ƶ’s LFP rate is 60.6%. Put another way, nearly 40% of Ģ����Ƶns, many of them prime-age men, who can work are choosing not to.

Eric Cochling, GCO’s Chief Program Officer and General Counsel, emphasized the detrimental impact of these statistics and the critical importance of work for a flourishing life:

“A good job offers more than just a paycheck. It provides purpose and stability and is one of the most durable ways to empower people to break the cycle of poverty.”

He also stressed the need for reform: “If we truly want to expand opportunity in Ģ����Ƶ and across the country, individual workforce and safety net programs must start functioning as a true system—one that’s designed to support human dignity and flourishing. The Stronger Workforce for America Act is a much-needed step in the right direction.”

Ģ����Ƶ policymakers are paying attention to the success of Utah’s integrated welfare and workforce system and are seeking opportunities like the Make America Skilled Again Grants to implement similar reforms that benefit both Ģ����Ƶns and the state economy.

As Buzz Brockway, GCO’s Vice President of Public Policy, said:

“The ability to link workforce and safety net systems is key to boosting Ģ����Ƶ’s current trajectory as a leader in economic opportunity. The Make America Skilled Again Grants included in the Stronger Workforce for America Act would give Ģ����Ƶ’s leaders a powerful way to strengthen families, expand the workforce, and set the state on a path to more rapid growth.”

Randy Hicks, GCO’s President and CEO, added:

“Every state deserves the ability to design an integrated system that enables people to thrive. Right now, every wasted hour navigating disconnected programs is an hour that could have been spent building a better future. This bill ensures that states can rethink the status quo and create pathways to opportunity for every citizen.”

Through the changes it proposes, the is poised to make meaningful welfare and workforce reforms possible in Ģ����Ƶ, and GCO strongly urges its enactment.

###

Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity (GCO) is independent, non-partisan, and solutions-focused. Our team is dedicated to creating durable paths out of poverty for families in Ģ����Ƶ and beyond. To achieve our mission, we research ways to help remove barriers to opportunity and promote our solutions to policymakers and the public so that public policy and civil society can effectively and innovatively strengthen family stability, economic mobility, and child opportunity in the communities where lives are lived. 

Send media inquiries to:

Rebecca Primis
Ģ����Ƶ Center for Opportunity
RebeccaP@foropportunity.org 

The post GCO Praises Federal Leaders for Empowering States to Strengthen Pathways to Work through the Stronger Workforce for America Act appeared first on For Opportunity.