Public Policy Blog
TANF Reforms Could Have Big Impacts in Arkansas and Mississippi
Last month, the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) presented a federal policy proposal offering ten opportunities to reform the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to better fulfill its purpose of moving families toward self-sufficiency....
Assessing college savings plans in Arkansas & Mississippi
This week, Southern Bancorp Community Partners (SBCP) released its paper, “Evaluating College Savings Plans: A Case Study on Arkansas and Mississippi,” to illustrate and examine the current options of college savings accounts offered in Arkansas and Mississippi and...
Reversing the Tide on Payday Loans in Mississippi
Southern Bancorp has been a longtime advocate for policies, programs and products that promote family economic security. A part of this advocacy includes efforts to eliminate predatory practices such as payday lending. In our most recent Policy Points edition,...
Expanding Economic Opportunities in Arkansas: Lessons Learned through the Mott Foundation’s State Asset Building Coalition Learning Initiative
Last week, the Institute on Assets and Social Policy, a research institute at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management, released “State Asset Building Coalitions: Perspectives from the Field.” The report captures the key lessons learned...
Southern Bancorp Community Partners Announces College Completion Matched Savings Program
Helena-West Helena, Ark. – Southern Bancorp Community Partners (SBCP) is proud to announce a new product for non-traditional students in Phillips County. This new offering is available from SBCP’s Individual Development Account program and is part of SBCP’s ongoing...
We finally have a farm bill: States retain ability to eliminate asset limits
Last Friday, following months of negotiations, President Obama signed into law The Agricultural Act of 2014 (also known as the Farm Bill). This five-year legislation enacts policies and authorizes agriculture, trade, marketing, and other programs as well as rural...