This interactive presentation by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond will focus on education through a human capital lens and discuss the benefits and barriers that students and young adults face when investing in their own skills. Adults already in the workforce – particularly low-income workers – face the additional challenge of “benefits cliffs.” Despite acquiring additional skills and a higher salary, their income may end up being lower, as they are no longer eligible for financial assistance such as child care subsidy and a portion of benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and United Way of Central Maryland have partnered with the Atlanta Fed to use CLIFF tools, a suite of digital resources that showcase the loss of public assistance a worker might face with an increase in income, and the simultaneous gap in financial resources. The CLIFF tools also facilitate the simulation of policy and programmatic solutions.

Attendees will be some of the first in Maryland to see how these new tools and resources are being deployed and ask questions.

Speakers from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond include Urvi Neelakantan, Senior Policy Economist in the Research Department, and Peter M. Dolkart, Community Development Regional Manager and a graduate of Leadership Maryland and GBC Leadership.

Limited parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is accessed from Sharp Street near the Conway Street intersection.

All guests must register and present ID to gain entry to the Federal Reserve Building.