The Unprecedented Power and Potential of Women's Philanthropy in the Washington Region

In this report, Washington Area Women's Foundation finds that turning the corner on poverty for women and girls in our region is within our grasp. The key is investing in women and girls with a gender lens, and tapping into the unprecedented giving potential of women philanthropists in our region

Early Care and Education in the Washington Region

This issue brief explaines how early care and education investments help prepare low-income children ages zero to five for kindergarten, a critical opportunity to increase readiness and close the achievement gap, provide an important work support for low-income working families and support the professional development and advancement of early care and education providers

Investing in Change: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities For Women in the Washington Region's Labor Force

In this issue brief, we focus on promising approaches to building economic security for women through workforce development. In the following pages, we share the latest employment and labor force participation trends for working women in the Washington region, with a particular focus on low-income women. We identify some of the strategies of successful workforce development programs that support these women, and conclude with concrete steps that funders, policymakers, advocates, employers, and individuals can take to provide women with the effective education and job training programs they need to build economic security and change the trajectory of their lives

The Built Environment and Physical Activity: What Is the Relationship?

Synthesizes research on how the built environment -- recreational resources, land use mix and connectivity, presence of sidewalks and streetlights, and community environment -- affects residents' physical activity and health across subgroups

Tax Subsidies for Private Health Insurance: Who Currently Benefits and What Are the Implications for New Policies?

Outlines the federal tax exemption for employer-sponsored insurance. Illustrates how high-income workers benefit more from the subsidy than low-income workers do and considers policy implications and reform options, including new tax credits

From Coverage to Care: Exploring Links Between Health Insurance, a Usual Source of Care and Access

Examines how coverage affects the odds of having a usual source of health care, how having a usual source of care affects access to care, why people lack a usual source of care, and how coverage and provider type affect access to care from such sources

Girls' Economic Security in the Washington Region

This issue brief highlights key issues and demographic trends in the Washington region, and dives specifically into issues of poverty and opportunity that affect girls' capacity to attain economic security in adulthood. Our objective is to better understand girls' experiences and circumstances and to work together with the community to identify strategies that reduce barriers, increase opportunities and increase the number of girls who are able to live economically secure lives both today and for generations to come

The Female Face of Poverty and Economic Insecurity: The Impact of the Recession on Women in Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh MSA

Analyzes the higher unemployment and poverty rates and lower wages of single mothers, especially minorities. Offers policy recommendations designed to help single mothers weather the economic downturn and maintain long-term economic self-sufficiency

Paid Sick Days Access in the United States: Differences by Race/Ethnicity, Occupation, Earnings, and Work Schedule

Paid sick days bring substantial benefits to employers, workers, families, and communities. The economic and public health benefits of paid sick leave coverage include safer work environments; improved work life balance, reduced spread of contagion; and reduced health care costs. Access to this important benefit, however, is still too rare, and is unequally distributed across the U.S. population, with differences by race and ethnicity, occupation, earnings levels, and work schedules. Utilizing data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), IWPR finds that in 2012, approximately 61 percent of private-sector workers age 18 and older in the U.S. had access to paid sick days (Figure 1); up from 57 percent in 2009. More than 41 million workers lack access

Women at Greater Risk of Economic Insecurity: A Gender Analysis of the Rockefeller Foundation's American Worker Survey

Analyzes survey data for differences in anxiety over and experiences of economic insecurity between women and men, workers and non-workers, and parents and non-parents, as well as among women of different races/ethnicities, incomes, and education levels