Legislation introduced in Massachusetts aims to reduce the racial wealth gap by creating a statewide "Baby Bonds" program. It is a publicly-funded, pooled trust fund for newborn children in low-income households without inherited wealth or opportunities to build it. Deb Goldberg, state treasurer, said the child can access the funds once they turn 18 to help them go to college, start a business or even buy a home. .
Massachusetts groups will be part of a new federal pilot program to help low-income families ensure they have the diapers they need to keep both babies and parents healthy. Studies show a lack of diapers for their babies as the top predictor of postpartum depression in new mothers, while 60% of American families report missing work or school when they cannot bring diapers to child care. Liz Berube, executive director of the group Citizens for Citizens, one of several Massachusetts agencies selected for the program, said the need for diaper assistance has been growing for years. .
The U.S. Census Bureau is out with new findings showing that the nation s child poverty rate has more than doubled, to 12%. Policy experts say a key decision by Congress is the main factor, and reversing it isn t the only action that could turn things around. .
Massachusetts is on track to become the eighteenth state this year to enact targeted tax credits to help alleviate childhood poverty. New polling shows nearly 80% of residents support an expansion of the Child Tax Credit to $600 per dependent over the next three years. Pedro Morillas, state campaign director for the Economic Security Project, said the policy has strong bipartisan support, and lawmakers should capitalize on it. .
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