 |
A report on HES Extension programs
serving Missouri's families & communities
|
|
A report on HES Extension programs
serving Missouri's families & communities
|
The Rev. Bob Atkinson of Lexington, Mo., was concerned about
the lack of public transportation for low-income audiences in his
and other rural towns across the state.
Sandy Peterson, a public affairs officer in the St. Louis office
of the Internal Revenue Service, needed to spread the word about
tax credit programs for the "working poor."
Both turned to Brenda Procter, an HES extension specialist in
consumer and family economics.
Procter's role as an economist might be seen as slightly
out-of-step by some. Most economists work with audiences who have
an abundance of resources to manage: money to move, taxes to
trim. Procter, on the other hand, works with low- to no-income
populations and organizations who support them.
"She reaches a segment of the population often missed when
it comes to money matters," says Peterson of the IRS.
A newsletter, "Poverty: At Issue," is her most recent
method for disseminating information to help the poor. In it,
Procter writes about money from a number of angles, public policy
to the practical.
"Low-income consumers often face different issues than
other consumers," says Procter. "One of the things I'm
trying to accomplish with 'Poverty At Issue' is to educate
providers about what their clients are facing."
The newsletter is sent primarily to "providers," people
in agencies and institutions who directly serve the poor, as well
as to welfare reform groups comprised of people with low-incomes.
At the Rev. Atkinson's prodding, Procter used the newsletter to
highlight the dismal status of public transportation for rural,
especially the elderly and ill. Her article listed resources
communities could tap, such as funding assistance programs for
vans from the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department. She
also wrote about an innovative program in Saline County that
provides transportation for routine medical care.
"Transportation is an important issue for rural areas,"
says Rev. Atkinson. "I passed Brenda's newsletter on to
inter-agency committees so they could read about the issue."
The newsletter also included information about the Earned Income
Credit program, a tax credit for working families with
low-incomes.
"The newsletter was an excellent vehicle for us to piggyback
on," says Peterson.
Other newsletter issues have discussed the fringe economy and how
the 60 to 70 million Americans without bank accounts handle their
finances. Pawnshops, rent-to-own companies and cash checking
businesses all cater to low-income audiences.
"The poor are often the target of scams, costly credit
offers and expensive financial services," says Procter.
"I try to keep providers up-to-date on public policy changes
that help or affect their clients."
