Hello From Our New Chief of Policy Staff, Lucas Caldwell-McMillan

I am very excited to join Empower Missouri as the Chief of Policy Staff. I moved to Missouri fifteen years ago to join Legal Services of Eastern Missouri to lead a newly formed medical-legal partnership to address the health-harming legal needs of patients in local hospitals and clinics. One of my first community presentations was at an Empower Missouri forum about SNAP and Medicaid. I have always had a connection to the organization and a respect for its important work in ending poverty in Missouri. In my new role, I will be supporting Empower Missouri’s stellar policy team as they fight for access to food, affordable housing, and a better criminal legal system.

During my time as a legal services lawyer, I had the privilege of representing clients from all over eastern Missouri and beyond. I prioritized bringing services to the community and meeting them where they were. I spent time talking to clients at a food pantry in Paris, Missouri. I met clients during onsite office hours at community health centers in St. Louis. I also represented a statewide organization of parents and caregivers of children with complex medical needs. I learned a lot from my clients. They taught me that all Missourians, regardless of our differences, are working hard to provide a better life for their families. These experiences also taught me that there are policies that can lift people up, build stronger communities, and provide all of us the support we need.

At Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, I worked alongside Empower Missouri to strengthen our safety net and fight misguided legislation that puts unnecessary barriers between Missourians and the programs that support their basic needs. My work on state-level policy changes included helping to: implement streamlined policies and procedures for Medicaid applications by homeless youth, improve qualifying work and volunteer activity rules for adults without children applying for SNAP benefits, and remove a Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requirement for applicants to obtain private insurance quotes. To advocate for these policy changes, I have led public education committees; testified at legislative hearings; provided bill analysis for community coalitions; recorded and shared stories from impacted community members; provided regulatory comments to state and federal agencies; litigated complex Medicaid and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) claims; and coordinated with national organizations such as the Georgetown Center for Children and Families, the National Health Law Program and Community Catalyst.

Most recently, I led the state policy work for a national nonprofit focused on benefits access. I traveled across the country helping state agencies and community partners implement improved policies for SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid. I enjoyed visiting different states (I traveled to Rhode Island and North Dakota in the same month!) and learning about each state’s unique approach, but I missed the feeling of making a difference in my community. I am excited to return to working full-time on policy issues that help my community and home state.