The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) has issued Target Practice: Lessons for Poverty Reduction to build awareness among those who work on poverty reduction that policy targets are being utilized in other arenas and that their adoption by local, state, and the federal government offers important insights useful for poverty reduction initiatives.  Targets establish a shared vision that asserts that the problem deserves attention and talent to solve it, setting the stage for policy choices and program implementation.

The following Lessons For Poverty Reduction are offered:

1. A target transforms the debate.
2. A target is more realizable if solutions are identified.
3. A target is a useful tool that must be wielded into action.
4. A target is enhanced when all levels of government participate.
5. A target can break down silos and engage the private sector.
6. A target is more achievable with a dedicated technical assistance entity.
7. A target can leverage action beyond the original vision.
8. A target should track progress and be transparent.
9. A target can generate attention to a resources gap.
10. A target works best with metrics that measure shared thresholds
    and policy impacts.

 See additional publications from CLASP on Poverty and Opportunity.