Publication Date
9-11-2009
Summary
An important frontier in savings policy and research is the effectiveness of accounts at birth. This paper presents ideas and initial findings from the experience of American Indian nations—America’s first asset-builders—with such policies. It describes the motivations for creating “minors’ accounts,” which are offered by approximately 70 tribes. These tribes are the only jurisdictions in the nation to offer universal, unrestricted accounts for children. Increasingly, they also are using conditions and incentives to promote their policy goals. Their experiences and ideas offer important insights for mainstream policy makers and program managers (in the US and elsewhere) about how to design effective children’s accounts policy. The paper closes by stressing a two-way flow of information, as ideas from experience and research in non-tribal communities offer new ways to strengthen tribal minors’ account policies and further their welfareenhancing goals.
Document Type
Working Paper
Category
Financial Inclusion
Subarea
Asset Building
Original Citation
Jorgensen, M. (with Morris, P.). (2009). Tribal innovations in children's accounts (CSD Working Paper No. 09-47). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Keywords
CDA Symposium, CDA, child savings, native assets, Native American, policy, college savings
Recommended Citation
Jorgensen, M. (with Morris, P.). (2009). Tribal innovations in children's accounts (CSD Working Paper No. 09-47). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7936/K7R49Q84
Notes
Subsequent publication: Jorgensen, M., & Morris, P. (2010). Tribal experience with children's accounts. Children & Youth Services Review, 32(11), 1528–1537. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2010.03.017