Report on Self Sufficiency in NY Released

Rochester, NY – A new study outlines what families need to earn to meet their basic needs here in Monreo County without any public or private support.

And the groups behind "The Self-Sufficiency Standard" report says it serves as a reminder as to how outdated federal poverty guidelines are.

The report shows a single mother in Rochester with one pre-schooler and one school-age child would need to make at least $22.44 an hour or $47,400 annually to make ends meet.
Denise Harlow, with the New York State Community Action Association, says this report shows how federal and state policies are outdated and need to change.

James Norman, President and CEO at Action for a Better Community, says the report clearly shows the federal poverty standard is inadequate, because it's based on a formula developed in the 1960s.
He says the report will educate lawmakers, governmental organizations, foundations and other funders, to the _real_ needs of our communities.

Sarah Lowry with the Center for Women's Welfare was research coordinator for the report. She says one goal of the report is to get policy makers, elected officials and the general public to truly understand what is needed for families to be self sufficient.

70 different family types in all 62 counties are outlined in the report.