This event is by invite only. For more information, please reach out to Yoorie Chang at ychang@law.harvard.edu
Recent UI policy innovations have exemplified how states can design benefits systems in ways that empower workers and their organizations, making these programs more responsive to workers’ needs and more effective at advancing an equitable economy. New York and New Jersey both allow striking workers to qualify for UI assistance, with legislation to do the same pending in a number of states. Through the UI Navigator Grants Program, the Department of Labor disbursed more than $18 million to states partnering with labor and community organizations to build capacity and assist workers to apply for UI benefits. In Maine, the Peer Workforce Navigator (PWN) project built a remarkable program that has helped thousands of people not just apply for unemployment, but also access wraparound supports such as reemployment assistance, housing help, and nutrition assistance.
This workshop aims to convene a wide range of stakeholders – including workers, advocates, academics, and policy experts – to do a deep-dive into these examples and consider how we can apply lessons from implementation to evolve and scale similar power-building models to other states.
