A new opportunity for states to further their efforts in streamlining and coordinating public benefit programs has been announced by the Ford Foundation and its partners, the Urban Institute and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “Work Support Strategies: Streamlining Access, Strengthening Families” aims to provide a select group of states with the opportunity to design, test, and implement more effective, streamlined, and integrated approaches to delivering key supports for low-income working families, including health coverage, nutrition benefits, and child care subsidies.

These activities will not only provide critical resources for states to continue streamlining and improving coordination and efficiency in public benefit programs but will build on the base of knowledge acquired through other multi-state initiatives such as the Covering Kids & Families Initiative and Maximizing Enrollment for Kids. It also sounds like a great opportunity for states to test out Express Lane Eligibility projects.

The initiative will invest $15 million over a five-year period to build on recent state and federal innovations by providing states with expert technical assistance, peer support, and financial backing to take their efforts to the next level.

The call for proposals will be available on Friday, September 17, 2010, at www.urban.org/worksupport. A summary of key dates and additional information about the initiative are available now. For questions regarding the request for proposal, please email worksupport@urban.org.