Session: Collaborative Pathways to Economic Justice: Integrating Community Voices and Innovative Research (Society for Social Work and Research 29th Annual Conference)

This panel showcases four studies illustrating how collaborative, interdisciplinary research can address economic inequality and improve financial resilience among marginalized communities. Each study represents a unique model of integrating academic research with community engagement and practical application, demonstrating the power of collaborative efforts in producing meaningful social change.

Guaranteed Income and Financial Autonomy: Our first paper, utilizing a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) design, explores the impacts of Guaranteed Income programs on the financial behaviors of low-income Black women in Georgia. It reveals how such initiatives can lessen reliance on predatory financial services. It underscores the importance of grounding research in community experiences and the potential of such programs to inform broader policy discussions on economic empowerment.

Child Tax Credit Expansion: The second study offers an evaluation of the 2021 Child Tax Credit expansion, focusing on its impact on family financial stability through the lens of the families it aimed to support. Leveraging survey data collected from recipients, the research integrates the firsthand perspectives of families into evaluating this historic fiscal policy. The findings illuminate how the expansion fostered enhanced financial resilience among families, evidenced by increased emergency savings and a decreased reliance on high-cost financial resources.

Technology Apprenticeships and Economic Mobility: Examining the LaunchCode program, the third study illustrates the impact of technology apprenticeships on enhancing employment opportunities and income, particularly for women and underrepresented groups in STEM fields. The collaboration between educational entities and the tech industry presents a model for how partnership-driven initiatives can facilitate economic mobility and equity.

Community-Based Financial Education: The final analysis of a community-facilitated loan program in Athens, Georgia, demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating financial education with low-interest loan services to improve financial literacy and stability in economically vulnerable communities. This initiative exemplifies a successful grassroots approach, where collaboration between a non-profit organization, financial institutions, and community members leads to tangible improvements in financial well-being.

Through these diverse yet interconnected studies, the panel highlights the efficacy of research that engages with and reflects the needs of communities, illustrating the potential for such work to influence policy and practice. The discussions aim to spark dialogue on the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations, the value of community-centric research, and the role of social work scholarship in advocating for policies that promote economic justice and social equity.