Local governments are on the front lines of one of the defining challenges of our time—advancing economic mobility for low-income youth, families, and communities. The Economic Mobility Catalog provides resources on evidence-based practices, programs, and policies designed to improve outcomes that drive upward economic mobility. We hope that these materials help accelerate change in your community.
Resources
Blogs:
Using What We Know to Build a Local Economic Mobility Plan (Jan. 12, 2021)
The Economic Mobility Catalog — Local strategies to accelerate upward mobility for youth, families, and communities (Aug. 5, 2020)
Videos:
Education & youth development
Education and youth development strategies focus on children’s academic and social-emotional growth. These strategies contribute to positive outcomes at every stage of an individual’s life, helping young people enter kindergarten ready to learn, reach key academic and social milestones in elementary and middle school, earn a high school diploma, and receive a post-secondary degree or credential.
EXPLORE LOCAL STRATEGIES
Health and well-being
Good health is a critical foundation to all mobility outcomes. Healthy families and neighborhoods contribute to positive outcomes at every life stage. Healthy children are more likely to be ready for kindergarten, stay on-track through elementary and middle school, and graduate from high school. And healthy adults are more likely to receive a post-secondary degree and obtain and keep good jobs.
EXPLORE LOCAL STRATEGIES
Workforce development
Workforce development strategies provide individuals with the skills and preparation they need to obtain higher quality employment. These strategies can improve high school graduation rates, boost post-secondary enrollment and graduation, and create pathways to good, stable jobs. For parents, high-quality employment strengthens stability at home, leading to better economic, social, and health outcomes for their children.
EXPLORE LOCAL STRATEGIES
Justice and public safety
Justice strategies can reduce the negative effects of incarceration, help individuals returning from incarceration successfully re-enter society, and facilitate community healing after crimes have been committed. Public safety strategies can reduce crime and improve neighborhood well-being. These strategies can improve family stability and neighborhood quality, which create better mobility outcomes at all life stages.
EXPLORE LOCAL STRATEGIES
Housing
Affordable, stable, and safe housing is foundational to individual and family well-being. Children who grow up in safe and stable housing are more likely to enter kindergarten ready to learn, succeed in elementary and middle school, and graduate from high school. Adults living in stable housing are more likely to complete post-secondary training and obtain and keep high-quality employment. And lower-income individuals living in mixed-income neighborhoods tend to experience better outcomes at all life stages.
EXPLORE LOCAL STRATEGIES
Community development and financial security
Community development strategies focus on improving the economic opportunities, physical infrastructure, environmental quality, and social capital of communities. These strategies can improve family well-being and neighborhood quality, which promote better mobility outcomes at all life stages.