 |
(Updated April 2007)
What is the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Safety Net Project’s Mission?
The UI Safety Net Project’s mission is to expand access to the UI program by better tailoring it to the needs of low-wage workers (read the UI Safety Net Project's UI Reform Agenda). Over the last several decades, access to the UI system has declined to unacceptably low levels, as state programs have failed to keep pace with the changing needs of today’s workforce. In fact, because of outdated eligibility rules, those workers with the highest turnover jobs and fewest resources often have the most difficult time collecting unemployment. The project is also working to create a more equitable UI system by promoting reforms that help workers balance work and family needs, and expanding access to the system for the growing numbers of low-wage, part-time and temporary workers. If you are new to unemployment insurance, we've prepared a general description of the UI program, and a glossary of terms.
How Can the UI Safety Net Project Support State Reform Campaigns?
The project provides in-depth technical assistance, including a broad range of legal and empirical research and analysis, to state policy makers and advocates dedicated to making the UI program more relevant to today’s workers and the changing economy. NELP supports a diverse network of state legislators, low-income advocacy groups, women’s organizations, labor unions, and other constituencies that advocate for low-wage working families. In the process, NELP provides its network with timely updates and policy analyses of key UI initiatives, communications support, and assistance in developing UI polling surveys. NELP also sponsors an e-mail discussion group that provides a forum for over 300 state groups to regularly exchange information and strategies, and bridges support for state campaigns with federal level policy to promote UI reforms.
What are Some Successful Project-Supported UI Initiatives?
With NELP’s assistance, a movement to expand access to the UI system has been launched throughout the United States. Since 2001, half the states have made substantial reforms to fill the gaps in their UI program. Such eligibility reforms include making substantial changes to reach more low-wage, women and part-time workers. Other NELP-supported initiatives involve promoting policy reforms at the federal level, including extensions during the last recession that delivered more than $20 billion in assistance to local communities and helped more than 7 million workers. More recently, NELP secured federal legislation to assist more than 100,000 displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina who were unable to find work.
Who is on NELP’s UI Safety Net Team and How Can I Get Their Help?
NELP is a non-profit policy and research organization that specializes in employment laws and policies that impact low-wage working families. NELP’s UI Safety Net Team offers years of experience in successfully promoting state UI reform. To access NELP’s latest UI resources, go to www.nelp.org. For assistance with a state UI campaign, contact any of the following members of the Safety Net Team: Maurice Emsellem, NELP Policy Director and Federal Policy Coordinator; Rick McHugh, Midwest Coordinator; Rebecca Smith, Western States Coordinator; and Andrew Stettner, NELP Deputy Director and Southern and Eastern State point of contact.
NELP UI Safety NET Team
Maurice Emsellem, Project Director and Federal Policy Coordinator
Emsellem has worked with NELP for over 15 years, specializing in government support systems, including UI, workforce development programs, and welfare. A graduate of University of Michigan and Northeastern University School of Law, Emsellem has co-authored publications and articles that have appeared in the Stanford Law & Policy Review and the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform.
California Office
405 14th Street, Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 663-5700 tel
(510) 663-2028 fax
emsellem@nelp.org
Rick McHugh, Midwest Coordinator
A legal services attorney and labor lawyer for over 20 years, McHugh has devoted much of his career to UI and dislocated worker litigation and policy.
Midwest Office
900 Victors Way, Suite 350
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
(734) 369-5616 tel
(866) 373-8994 fax
rmchugh@nelp.org
Rebecca Smith, Western States Coordinator
Smith has served as a leading legal services advocate for the rights of low-wage and immigrant workers for nearly 20 years. Her primary areas of practice include immigrant workers’ employment rights and hour and unemployment insurance law. Smith is a graduate of the University of Washington Law School.
Western States Office
407 Adams Street, S.E., #203
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 534-9160; (360) 534-9160 (fax)
rsmith@nelp.org
Andrew Stettner, Deputy Director
Stettner was trained in statistical research and analysis and directed state economic justice campaigns for community-based organizations before joining NELP. At NELP, Stettner works intensively with state advocates and policy makers to generate the research and statistics (including cost estimates for reforms) necessary to forward UI campaigns. Stettner is a graduate of Georgetown University’s Public Policy Institute.
80 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
(212) 285-3025, ext. 303; (212) 285-3044 (fax)
astettner@nelp.org
This project is supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Joyce Foundation and the Public Welfare Foundation.
|
|
|
| 
