A new grant will aim to raise the number of lower-wage employees who enroll in publicly-funded work supports.

Families and Work Institute, a non-profit agency that researches changes in the workforce, family and community, awarded United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona a $140,000 grant so that they can work with local employers in its efforts.

This grant is part of an initiative known as the Supporting Work Project. A news release indicates this project enables business and governmental leadership to establish partnerships within communities so that more employers can help their lower-wage employees access public-funded work supports.

Programs such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, food stamps, housing and heating assistance, Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) are some of the types of assistance that may be available to lower-wage employers.

“These projects have the potential to improve the economic stability of employees and their families, increase the competitiveness of local businesses by reducing turnover, and enhance the prosperity of communities by bringing millions of dollars of resources into local economies,” Families and Work Institute President Ellen Galinsky said.

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona plan to use the money from this grant to test different methods for connecting hard-working citizens with public benefits through child care, hospitality and health care.

For more information on Tucson’s United Way, click here.