VA Summit to Battle Poverty
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May 7, 2009
Richmond, VA – Virginia's Summit on Poverty and Economic Opportunity begins today with a goal of a new plan in a year. The Richmond meeting brings representatives of community groups and think tanks together with government experts to begin the process of developing a plan to reduce poverty.
Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Marilyn Tavenner, says the summit is at the starting gate.
"Here are the things that we think we need to address to really come up with some long-term solutions around poverty."
The plan will focus on three areas, Tavenner says: jobs, affordable housing and an adequate safety net. Over the next year, more information will be gathered to build the plan during visits to different parts of the state.
The result will be a formal list of recommendations for reducing poverty in Virginia, with suggested action steps for local and state implementation, Tavenner says.
"We'll have a final plan that will be due in the spring of 2010."
The Summit is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Omni Richmond Hotel.