The Hudson Institute, with the Center for Public Justice, hosted a panel discussion at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on September 4, 2002. The dual purposes of this panel were: 1) to announce the release of a study by Amy Sherman, Ph.D., a Senior Fellow at Hudson, and John Green, Ph.D., Director of the Bliss Institute at the University of Akron, and; 2) to discuss results of the study from the Federal, State, and local/grassroots perspective.

Because community colleges are often affordable, they offer many students the opportunity to gain postsecondary education. It has been found that many students, who start at community college, drop out. Because of this problem, the Opening Doors Demonstration tested the effects of community college programs designed to combat this low retention rate and improve student achievement. This report describes MDRC's evaluation of six community colleges undergoing programs to increase student persistence.

This article reviews a project designed to provide welfare recipients working 20 hours a week with an education program at a local community college. The 24 week program included mathematics, English, computer skills, as well as life skills necessary for successful employment. This article is an evaluation of the program in terms of improving employment opportunities for welfare recipients.

Through MDRC's Opening Doors Demonstration and funded by state TANF dollars, New Orleans offers programs at two community colleges to offer scholarships for low-income parents. This article reviews early findings from the program and the positive effect that it has on helping improve outcomes for low-income families.

While community colleges provide opportunities for low-income and disadvantaged populations to receive higher education, the persistence to stay in such programs is low. From MDRC's Opening Doors Demonstration, this report reviews the effects of educational supports such as enhanced academic advising and increased financial aid to improve participation in community college programs.

This Urban Institute report by Carol De Vita and Eric Twombly describes the functioning of the nonprofit sector in the Pittsburgh area. The study was conducted for The Forbes Funds. The report addresses State and local government budget shortfalls, and the trend that more people in the Pittsburgh area are turning to such nonprofit organizations as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and ARC of Allegheny County for help.

The Rockefeller Institute of Government has released "The State Personal Income Tax Recovers," State Fiscal News Vol. 4, No. 4. After two years of decline, state personal income tax revenue grew by 6.4 percent in the January-March 2004 quarter. This growth is found in all components of the PIT, including withholding and estimated payments. Final payments with April returns also appear to be strong.

The Center for Public Justice provides information and resources on Charitable Choice, including a "how-to" guide for federal, state, and local officials.

This paper is part of the work of the Rockefeller Institute of Government's Roundtable on Religion & Social Welfare Policy. Authored by Richard P. Nathan and David J. Wright.

This purpose of this policy announcement is to remind State agencies of the TANF Charitable Choice requirement.