Hi Friend,

In this month's October Perspectives Newsletter, we’re highlighting an important topic: how direct cash stipends can support families at risk of child maltreatment. Our featured op-ed by Mike Shaver, president & CEO of Brightpoint, and William Schneider, associate professor and faculty director at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, discusses the Empower Parenting with Resources (EmPwR) pilot program and its potential to transform child welfare in Illinois.

We know what doesn’t work for Illinois children. Let’s explore what’s possible.

By Mike Shaver, president and CEO, Brightpoint, and William Schneider Ph.D., associate professor, School of Social Work, faculty director, Children and Family Research Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Recently, Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz joked about objections to a free meal program for schoolchildren he enacted as Governor of Minnesota: “What a monster! Kids are eating and having full bellies so they can go learn.” This unapologetic advocacy is sparking mainstream conversations throughout the U.S. about the viability of such programs and why we’re not offering more of them.

Here in Illinois, we’re having our own conversations about how to help families.

A Closer Look

If you know someone who might be interested in Mike and William’s commentary, you can share it using the forward button below. You can also make a gift towards our efforts by clicking here. Together, we can help families and children thrive