This year the nation celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Supplemental Security Income program, which provides income support to people with disabilities, including 1.3 million children. For families, the program is a lifesaver that allows for greater economic security as they provide family-centered care for their children. Despite its tremendous value, conservatives are targeting the program for reforms, some of which mirror what was done to programs like TANF. It is clear that this isn’t the way to go. The Children’s SSI program would benefit from some reforms, but ones that improve outreach to qualifying families, target resources to those most in need, and facilitate successful work outcomes.
This panel will discuss the challenges experienced by the families of children with disabilities, attacks on the SSI program, a blueprint for reform, and connections between SSI policy debates and those of other safety net programs.
Copies of The Family Consequences of Children’s Disability will be available for purchase at the event.
Introduction by:
Joy Moses, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for American Progress
Featured Panelists:
Dennis Hogan, Professor, Brown University; author, Family Consequences of Children’s Disabilities
Susan Parish, Director, Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University
LaDonna Pavetti, Vice President for Family Income Support Policy, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Rebecca Vallas, Attorney, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Moderated by:
Shawn Fremstad, Attorney, Center for Economic and Policy Research