Issues

Issue Areas The working definition of economic poverty is based on what it costs a family to live in Santa Clara County, i.e., household income level that falls below the standard for self-sufficiency in the county rather than the federal poverty standard. The revised economic self-sufficiency standard and county data is based on the research provided by The Insight Center for Community Economic Development.

What will it take to help families step up and out of poverty?

Five key factors affect poverty: access to food, housing, health, education, and resources. The campaign has developed targeted strategies for each of these areas, with specific policy and service goals and measurable desired outcomes. To tie these initiatives together the campaign has created an Integrated Systems Task Force. Measures of success include moving households from barely surviving, to striving, to thriving, adapting the SAFE client assessment scale. Measurable resources for households include increases in earned income, public benefits, and other assets.

For more information contact Terrie Iacino, 408 325-5132 or tiacino@ccsj.org www.catholiccharitiesscc.org