IDA Legislation and Coalition-Building:Broader Policy Implications

of a Midwest Bi-State Coalition

Melinda Lewis, El Centro, Inc.Lisa Mason, MOKANSave

IDA Legislation in Missouri

CED Committee of MASW helped draft model legislation, secured sponsors, and mobilized a highly active coalition. Key factors: physical presence in the capitol (staff and practicum students), statewide network, and specific tasks for coalition members to accomplish. 1999: Family Development Account Tax Credit Program established. Authorizes 50% state income tax credits for contributions to organizations that administer an FDA project. Organizations must have a “352 status.”

IDA Legislation in Kansas

Comprehensive IDA legislation has been introduced 3 times, without passage.

2001: Assistive Device IDA Program Act passed, with limited state tax credits to leverage matching funds for individuals with disabilities to purchase assistive technology devices.

MOKANSave

New bi-state effort across Missouri and Kansas to promote asset-building programs and policies such as IDAs.Launched in February 2002 by the CED Committee of the Missouri Association for Social Welfare, in partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Center for Social Development, El Centro, Inc., and Heart of America Family Services.

Why Bi-State?

Affiliation with Kansas City organizations.Opportunity to share knowledge, experiences, and resources.Opportunity to explore a collaborative effort across state lines, to generate valuable information about translating asset-building policies across states.Step towards a multi-state or regional effort to promote IDAs.

Goals

Increase access to information and research on asset-building and IDAs in Missouri and Kansas.Assist coalition-building efforts of organizations and groups in both states.Provide assistance with policy efforts in both states.

Strategies

Organize community informational forums about IDAs.

Develop the MOKANSave webpage.

Organize an annual bi-state IDA conference.

Community Forums

Accomplished

Wichita, Kansas– June 26 – 35 participants

Garden City, Kansas– October 15– 20 participants

Projected

Salina, Kansas– Discussed at GC forum– Spring, 2002

Jefferson City, Missouri– Promote FDA program– Spring, 2002

Rural Missouri– Raise awareness about

IDAs

MOKANSave Webpage

Launched July, 2002: www.masw.org/mokansave

Areas: – Asset-Building Basics - IDA Program Development– Calendar of Events - IDA Advocacy– In the News - Links

Surveys to all Missouri and Kansas contacts for guidance and suggestions.

Bi-State IDA Conference

May 8-9, 2003 at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City.

Coalition-BuildingTrainingPolicy DevelopmentBuilding Support

Policy Implications

Missouri:– Contribute to the implementation of existing policy.– Coalition in place if/when legislation is revisited.– Increase support across state lines.

Kansas:– Generate interest in IDAs statewide.– Coalition in place if/when legislation is introduced.– Increase support across state lines.

Policy Implications (cont’d)

Bi-state:– Monthly updates, listserv (planned), and annual

conference will enable policy and program practices, experiences, and ideas to be readily disseminated across both states.

Beyond:– Multi-state initiatives?– Regional initiatives?

Impact of MOKANSave in Kansas

Discussion

Coalition-Building Models

Pros and Cons

Considerations in Choosing a Model

Starting a Coalition

Questions