Food and Nutrition Programs Enacted: Before the Memorial Day recess, the House and Senate overrode the president's veto of the farm bill. A number of new food stamp (soon to be called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)) benefit enhancements were adopted. The House Agriculture Committee has released a two-page summary of the new provisions and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has prepared a six page document focusing on the bill's food stamp provisions.   

Adoption Incentives and Relative Guardianship Bill Introduced: Senator Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced a bill (S. 3038) to reauthorize the Adoption Incentives Program and to establish federal subsidies for relative guardians who are income-eligible. Click here for a press release describing the legislation and links to national letters of support.

Medicaid Moratoria Bills: Both the House and Senate continue to demonstrate strong, bipartisan support to impose moratoria the implementation of seven Medicaid regulations that would have the effect of restricting counties' ability to finance and provide services to Medicaid beneficiaries. The provisions are included in both the House and Senate bills (H.R. 2642) providing additional funds for the Iraq war. Additionally, the Senate bill would stop HHS from implementing the administrative directive on the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The next few weeks will provide more insight into how the House and Senate will craft a final bill for the president.

 Hunger Champions:  June 30th is the deadline to nominate local food stamp agencies for their service to food stamp customers.  This is an important opportunity to promote the Food Stamp Program's contributions to communities.  Staff for the two offices that are rated tops by the Food Stamp Outreach Coalition will be awarded "Mentor" status and will present at the annual conference of state food stamp directors in the fall.  All other nominee offices that pass screening by the Coalition will be recognized as "Hunger Champions."  There is no limit on the number of offices you may nominate; past winners are eligible again this year.  Please take the time to send in one page about why you appreciate the work that your local food stamp agency is doing.  For details, click here.

Health Care Needs of Foster Care Children: First Focus has prepared this seven page brief highlighting the health needs of children in foster care. They often have a range of unique physical and mental health needs, physical disabilities and developmental delays, far greater than other high-risk populations. Studies suggest that nearly sixty percent of children in foster care experience a chronic medical condition, and one-quarter suffer from three or more chronic health conditions.

NACo Seeks Your Input on Human Services Technical Assistance: NACo wants your thoughts on how best to assist county human services agencies.  NACo's technical assistance (most workshops, publications, forums, institutes, newsletters, etc.) services are funded outside of membership dues.  NACo's Community Services Division funds itself through grants from foundations, federal agencies, and sometimes private sector sources.  These are difficult funding times and the availability of human services grants is no exception. Currently, NACo has a very modest grant for communities to plan for aging populations and another for promoting the Earned Income Tax Credit and asset building for families. 

NACo believes that it is time to more aggressively approach funders.  Before it does that, Gary Gortenburg at NACo would like your thoughts on areas where you think technical assistance is most needed. Those areas may include but are not limited to: early childhood development, elder abuse, integrating immigrants into the community, child welfare, and housing. Gary would very much appreciate an email simply pointing him in the direction you think most appropriate for county technical assistance.  Any explanations or thoughts would also be welcome.  The sooner feedback is received, the sooner he can begin. Gary's contact information is below:   

Gary Gortenburg

Program Director, Community Services Division

National Association of Counties

ggortenburg@naco.org

202.942.4287