CAEL is working with state leaders across the nation to support existing LiLA programs and to lay the groundwork for future Lifelong Learning Account (LiLA) initiatives.
Illinois
- In 2006, Senator Don Harmon(D-39) and Representative Harry Osterman (D-14) each introduced a version of the Illinois Lifelong Learning Accounts (LiLA) Act.
- These bills called on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to create a LiLA healthcare pilot and to provide state matching funds.
- The LiLA Act passed the state Senate unanimously, due to its broad bi-partisan support, and was approved by the House of Representatives with a wide margin.
- By mid-summer, Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-Illinois) had signed the bill into law and directed DCEO to provide allocated funding and support service for LiLAs.
- Building on this momentum, CAEL was awarded grant awards from the Polk Brothers Foundation and Prince Charitable Trusts to support policy and outreach work.
For the text of the Illinois LiLA Act, and a list of bill sponsors, please click here. For more information about the ongoing Illinois healthcare pilot, please click here.
Iowa
- Iowa’s Department of Workforce Development (IWD) and the Iowa Office of the Treasurer introduced legislation in the General Assembly (HSB754 and SSB3253).
- This legislation would establish a LiLA program within the Iowa educational savings plan trust and provide a refundable tax credit for employer contributions to an employee's account, which would be equal to fifty percent of the first $500 contributed during a particular tax year.
- HSB754 passed out of the House Economic Growth Committee.
- CAEL is working with IWD and other state agencies as they refine the program model and move forward with this legislation.
For the text of Iowa’s proposed LiLA bills: House Study Bill 754 and Senate Study Bill 3253.
Maine
- In 2005, the Maine Department of Labor launched a LiLA demonstration for up to 350 frontline workers that drew support from, among others, Governor John Baldacci (D-Maine), the Ford Foundation, the US Department of Labor (USDOL) and USDOL’s Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development (WIRED).
- This demonstration is affiliated with the Maine LiLA Partnership, which is a state-based coalition that includes individuals from the public sector, private sector, trade associations, local workforce boards, community-based organizations, community colleges, and the state university system.
- The Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community, which is a statewide nonprofit organization, provides education and career advising to program participants, while the Maine Finance Authority is charged with overseeing the investment of pooled LiLA contributions through the ‘Next Gen’ (529) college savings program.
- This demonstration also benefits from a strong advisory board and a third party matching contribution, which is made to low- and moderate-income participants.
CAEL continues to work with state leader by providing technical assistance for the demonstration and assisting in statewide policy outreach efforts.
For more information, please click here.
Minnesota
- In 2008, Representatives Erik Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie) and Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Minneapolis) introduced the Minnesota LiLA Act (HF2779).
- This bill would create a statewide LiLA program that targets lower income and minority workers in the healthcare, technology and hospitality fields and would provide participating employees with a 50% annual tax credit for LiLA contributions up to $500, and employers with $500 tax credits per employee match.
CAEL is working closely with current bill sponsors and key allies to build support for LiLAs in Minnesota.
For more information, please Click here for the text of Minnesota’s LiLA bill.
Kansas/Missouri
- In 2006, the Kansas City (KC) region won a United States Department of Labor (USDOL) Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant.
- This $15 million, three-year grant has helped to fund a new LiLA program, which was written into the KC region’s comprehensive USDOL WIRED grant proposal.
- This bi-state LiLA effort is a joint venture between the state of Kansas, the state of Missouri, and OneKC WIRED - the local affiliate of the USDOL’s WIRED initiative.
CAEL is playing a key role in assisting the LiLA program administrator, OneKC WIRED, in program development and building support for the LiLA concept in KC.
For more information, please click here.
Washington State
- Governor of Washington, Christine O. Grigoire, declares August as Lifelong Learning Month. Read the declaration.
- CAEL selected the state of Washington as the recipient of Taking It to the States: A State-Based Lifelong Learning Account (LiLA) Demonstration Initiative Funding Award.
- This matching grant from Lumina Foundation for Education, in the amount of $75, 000, will be used to design a new LiLA demonstration in the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Area, and to develop an integrated statewide roll-out strategy.
- The Washington LiLA demonstration is being led by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board in collaboration with an impressive team of state leaders in workforce development, economic development, education, business and labor
- Washington’s Senator Maria Cantwell is a strong champion of LiLAs and co-sponsor of the Lifelong Learning Accounts Act of 2007.
Leaders in these and other states are exploring ways to increase access to education and training through LiLAs. For example, CAEL is also working with leaders in:
- California: CAEL is working with SF Jewish Vocational Service SF to build on its ongoing LiLA mature worker demonstration for a statewide policy initiative
- Massachusetts: CAEL is assisting CVS, Boston JVS and Worksource Partners on a Boston-based LiLA program that builds on their IDA initiative.
- Michigan: CAEL is partnering with Corporation for a Skilled Workforce and Department of Labor and Economic Growth to explore ways to link LiLAs to existing state economic development priorities
- New York: CAEL is partnering with Seedco to plan a LiLA initiative in the New York City region.
- Pennsylvania: CAEL is in the planning and design phase of a demonstration with support from the Heinz Endowments and working on a partnership with the manufacturing sector in Pennsylvania.
- LiLAs also are attracting attention at the federal level.
For more information about LiLAs, please contact Associate Vice President for Policy and Strategic Alliances, Amy Sherman at asherman@cael.org, or LiLA State Policy Director, Randall K. Johnson at rjohnson@cael.org.