5:30–7:00 p.m. Opening Reception in Congress

• Location to be sent to event registrants only.

8:00 a.m. Breakfast and Registration

9:00 a.m. Why the Time is Now for Safety Net Transformation

• Speakers: Rachel Barkley, Executive Director, Alliance for Opportunity; Randy Hicks, President and CEO, Georgia Center for Opportunity
• At the last Meant for More Summit, this movement was created—and as a result, One Door legislation moved in three states and momentum grew in Congress. This year, we’re back with an even stronger coalition of innovators, reformers, and believers in the power of work. Across the country, millions of Americans are ready for a system that sees their potential. Randy and Rachel will share a bold vision for what’s next—how we can turn this growing network into a nationwide force for opportunity. The time is now to transform the safety net, restore dignity through work, and make this movement the moment it was meant to be.

9:20–10:20 a.m. Panel: States Taking the Lead: A One Door, Work-First System

• Speakers: Susie Schowen, Secretary of Louisiana Works; Representative Mary Bentley, Arkansas House of Representatives; Senator Jane English, Arkansas Senate; Chairman Daniel Sparks, Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee (Mississippi)
• Moderator: Daniel Erspamer, CEO, Pelican Institute for Public Policy
• Across the country, a growing number of states are transforming how safety net and workforce programs serve their citizens. The “One Door” approach simplifies access by aligning eligibility, training, and employment services under one system—helping people move more quickly from public assistance to independence and opportunity. This panel will feature legislators and state agency leaders who are pioneering these reforms. They will share why they took on this challenge, how they are navigating implementation, and what early lessons can guide others. Attendees will gain firsthand insight into the opportunities and obstacles of One Door policy reform in the states and leave with concrete ideas to take back to their own states.

10:20 a.m. Coffee Break

10:40–11:00 a.m. Opportunity Talk: The Science of Hope

• Speaker: Justin Brown, CEO of Global True North and former Oklahoma Human Services Secretary
• What if hope is the key to changing lives? Justin Brown—nationally recognized leader in human services systems change and former Oklahoma Human Services Secretary—shares how the “science of hope” can shape the way we think about public policy, leadership, and human potential. In this powerful talk, Brown draws on research and real-world experience to show how cultivating hope can drive individual resilience, community renewal, and state-level reform.

11:00–11:30 a.m. Panel: Implementing Work Requirements and OBBBA Changes

• Speakers: Jennifer Tiller, U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Deputy Secretary and Grant Thomas, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• Moderator: Les Ford, Senior Fellow, Alliance for Opportunity
• The “One Big Beautiful Bill” represents the most sweeping welfare reform in a generation—bringing new work and training requirements to SNAP and Medicaid. But passing the law is just the beginning. Now comes the hard part: implementation. In this session, top leaders from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services will discuss how federal agencies are guiding states through this transition. Learn what has changed, how states can seize new opportunities, and what challenges must be overcome to turn legislative vision into real impact for families and communities.

11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Panel: Administrative Levers for Self-Sufficiency

• Speakers: Casey K. Sacks, Ph.D., Senior Policy Advisor, Workforce and AI; Ben Hobbs, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Public and Indian Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Moderator: Les Ford, Senior Fellow, Alliance for Opportunity
• Beyond legislation, states have powerful tools at their disposal to reshape safety net programs and put work and independence at the center. From federal waivers to new administrative guidance, state leaders have opportunities to cut red tape, modernize systems, and design programs that treat people with dignity while helping them move toward self-sufficiency. In this session, agency leaders will highlight the most promising levers states can pull right now—and share practical insights on how to seize them.

12:00–12:30 p.m. Lunch Buffet

12:30–1:15 p.m. Solving Data and Eligibility System Disconnects

• Speakers: Robert McGough, Arkansas Chief Data Officer; Leslie Ford, Senior Fellow, Alliance for Opportunity; Adam Meier, Director of Health Policy, Cicero Institute
• Moderator: Caryn Hederman, Principal, Hederman Consulting
• Eligibility and data systems are the backbone of safety-net and workforce programs—but in many states, they remain outdated, fragmented, and disconnected. With the new provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill coming online, the urgency to modernize has never been greater. States must be ready to implement new work and training requirements, integrate eligibility across multiple programs, and deliver real-time data for accountability. This session will spotlight efforts to close these gaps, drawing lessons from leading states. Leaders will highlight how smarter, more connected systems can reduce red tape, ensure compliance, and most importantly, help families quickly access the support and opportunities they need to thrive.

1:15–1:30 p.m. Break

1:30–3:00 p.m. Deep Dive Break Outs (Concurrent Sessions—See Descriptions Below)

1:30–3:00 p.m. Breakout 1: Strategies to Fix Benefits Cliffs and Remove Barriers to Work

• Speakers: Matt Weidinger, Senior Fellow and Rowe Scholar, American Enterprise Institute; Erik Randolph, Director of Research, Georgia Center for Opportunity; Nic Dunn, Vice President of Strategy and Senior Fellow at the Sutherland Institute; Josh Bandoch, Head of Policy, Illinois Policy Institute; Angela Rachidi, Senior Fellow and Rowe Scholar, American Enterprise Institute
• For too many families, taking a raise or working more hours can mean losing vital benefits—leaving them worse off and stuck in poverty. These “benefits cliffs” and related barriers undermine upward mobility and discourage work. In this breakout, leading scholars and policy innovators will explore solutions to redesign assistance programs so they reward work, not punish it. From federal reforms to state-level innovations, panelists will discuss practical strategies to smooth the path off assistance and into lasting independence. Attendees will leave with fresh insights on how policymakers can create systems that truly empower work and opportunity.

1:30–3:00 p.m. Breakout 2: Meet-Up with Data and Eligibility Systems Experts

• Speakers: Robert McGough, Arkansas Chief Data Officer; Leslie Ford, Senior Fellow, Alliance for Opportunity; Adam Meier, Director of Health Policy, Cicero Institute
• Moderator: Caryn Hederman, Principal, Hederman Consulting
• Dive deeper into the ways states can develop smarter, more connected systems to reduce red tape, ensure compliance, and help families quickly access support and opportunities.

1:30–3:00 p.m. Breakout 3: Driving One Door State Task Forces

• Speakers: Alyssa Brodsky, Deputy Secretary, Louisiana Works; Susie Schowen, Secretary of Louisiana Works; Mason Bishop, Principal, WorkEd Consulting, and Senior Fellow, Alliance for Opportunity
• Moderator: Daniel Erspamer, Pelican Institute for Public Policy
• State task forces are at the center of implementing the “One Door” vision—bringing together legislators, agency leaders, and community partners to align safety net and workforce programs under a unified system. But moving from concept to action requires clear structures, strong leadership, and practical strategies to keep momentum. This interactive working group will feature leaders from states already driving task forces forward, including Louisiana’s new model, to share lessons on how to convene stakeholders, set priorities, and overcome political and administrative hurdles. Participants will leave with concrete ideas and strategies to help their own state launch or accelerate a One Door task force.

3:10–3:40 p.m. Opportunity Talk: Ascending from Generational Poverty to Generational Wealth

• Speaker: Jason Janz, CEO of CrossPurpose
• What does it take to break the cycle of poverty—not just for one person, but for an entire community? Jason Janz grew up in poverty, and he co-founded CrossPurpose with a bold mission: to end relational, economic, and spiritual poverty through career development and deep community ties. In this inspiring talk, Jason shares his personal journey, the lessons learned from building one of Colorado’s most impactful social enterprises, and a vision for how families can move from surviving in poverty to building generational wealth. Attendees will walk away with fresh hope and practical insight into what it takes to create lasting change.

3:45–4:45 p.m. Panel: Strategies to Engage Americans Disconnected from Work

• Speakers: Nic Dunn, Vice President of Strategy and Senior Fellow at the Sutherland Institute; Karen Phillips, Chief Operations Officer at Restore Hope
• Moderator: Dr. Steve C. Taylor, Policy Director and Senior Fellow for Economic Mobility at Stand Together Trust
• For millions of Americans, the barriers to work are complex and deeply personal. How can states design programs that meet people where they are and open real pathways back to opportunity? This session highlights innovative projects in Utah and Arkansas that are leveraging TANF flexibility to reimagine engagement strategies. Leaders will share lessons on building systems that are more responsive, more dignified, and more effective in helping individuals move from disconnection to work.

4:45 p.m. Closing & Farewells