A New Way to Understand Workforce Needs
Every business leader wants a strong, reliable, and thriving workforce. Yet for many working Ohioans, the math just doesn’t add up. In Hamilton County, for example, a single parent with an infant would need to earn $29.62 per hour, or work more than 120 hours a week at minimum wage, to cover basic expenses like housing, child care, and transportation.
The Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation recently launched the Self-Sufficiency Simulator, a free, interactive tool that helps visualize what it takes to meet the cost of living in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. Designed for leaders who want to be part of the solution, it demonstrates how financial stability for employees benefits the entire organization.
What Is Self-Sufficiency?
Self-sufficiency means a family can meet its basic needs without relying on public assistance, based on the actual cost of living where they reside. Unlike federal poverty measures, the Self-Sufficiency Standard reflects real, local expenses like health care, food, and household necessities.
It also highlights where families may face difficult tradeoffs, or “cliffs,” when a modest raise leads to a sudden loss in public benefits, ultimately leaving them worse off financially. For example, a parent receiving child care assistance might get a small wage increase that pushes them just over the income threshold, causing them to lose that support entirely. As a result, their out-of-pocket child care costs skyrocket – far outweighing the increase in pay. Tools like this help business leaders better understand the hidden challenges many employees are navigating, even when they’re working full-time.
What Can the Simulator Show Me?
The Simulator allows users to explore what different family types need to earn in order to be self-sufficient across all Ohio counties. Users can adjust family size and structure, compare counties side by side, and view a breakdown of monthly expenses by category. Users can also compare wages and work hours to understand what’s required to make ends meet.
This is more than just a data tool. It’s a resource for employers, policymakers, and community leaders who want to turn insight into action. The website also provides additional resources and guidance, offering practical next steps tailored to different roles.
What Can Employers and Managers Do?
Understanding the financial reality of your workforce is a powerful first step. Whether you’re reviewing compensation strategies, exploring flexible scheduling, or thinking about ways to support caregivers, this tool helps you ground those efforts in real-world data. The Self-Sufficiency Simulator invites business leaders to support long-term stability, retention, and economic mobility. Data-driven insights offer a starting point for informed, practical conversations. With the right tools, employers can create positive change for their teams, strengthen their business, and build a more resilient region.
The Self-Sufficiency Standard was developed by Dr. Diana Pearce and is maintained by the Center for Women’s Welfare at the University of Washington in partnership with the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies.
By: Travis Speice
Applied Research Director
The Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
