Greetings NACHSA Members:

Congress remains in pro-forma session. Once they return later in the month, they will hear President Obama's State of the Union address on January 24, with the Administration's FFY 2013 budget proposals expected to be sent to Capitol Hill the week of February 6. Over the next seven weeks, Democratic and Republican leaders and the White House will once again face tough negotiations on extending the payroll tax cut, unemployment insurance benefits and other tax and policy issues which expire February 29. In that mix is also a decision on reauthorizing the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. There is no expectation, however, that there is enough time legislatively to do anything more than a relatively 'clean' extension of TANF through September 30.

Below is some important NACHSA news about the upcoming NACo Legislative Conference, including the NACHSA Awards process and availability of scholarships for members who need financial support to attend the events in Washington. Some human services resources are also provided below, including the announcement of a conference on transitional and subsidized jobs.      

NACHSA Awards Process Begins: NACHSA welcomes applications from dues-paying members for awards highlighting innovative county programs; exemplary human services directors, and elected officials demonstrating steadfast support of health and human services programs.  

Applications are due February 6 to Ashley Carlini (ac@wafed.com). Winners will be notified before NACo's Legislative Conference and awards will be presented at the Human Services and Education Committee meeting on Sunday, March 4. There is no fee for applying and winners need not be present. Click here to view the applications.    

NACHSA's national awards program recognizes and celebrates the all-too-often unnoticed efforts of counties to serve vulnerable persons. NACHSA knows that the past few years have been extremely stressful balancing decreasing budgets with increasing service demands. It's time to take a breather and pat yourself and others on the back.  

Especially in these challenging times, NACHSA wants to celebrate the human services community and all that you do. The winning entries will be portrayed in the NACHSA Networker and other exemplary programs will be archived on the NACHSA website so that other counties may benefit from your work.  

Click here for the letter announcing the awards process.

The award applications follow:

Innovations in Human Services Award

Elected Official Leadership Award

Directors' Leadership Award

NACHSA Offers Scholarships to NACo Conference: On behalf of NACHSA President Glenn Osborne, NACHSA is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships to help defray the costs of attending the NACo/NACHSA Legislative Conference. Scholarships of $1,000 will be granted to successful applicants to reimburse expenses associated with the Conference (e.g., airfare, hotel, conference registration, meals).  Click here to view the NACo Legislative Conference website. 

If you are interested in being considered for a scholarship, please contact Tom Joseph at tj@wafed.com to receive a brief (2 pp.) application. Dues-paying directors of county human services agencies and dues-paying state association executives are eligible. Applications are due February 6, 2012. 

Human Services Jobs: Santa Clara County, CA is recruiting for the director of its Social Services Agency.

SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is slated for review during this year's Farm Bill reauthorization. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has prepared two backgrounders on SNAP. They may be accessed below:

Policy Basics: Introduction to SNAP: In 2011, almost 45 million low-income Americans participated in SNAP. Nearly 75 percent of SNAP participants are in families with children; more than one-quarter are in households with seniors or people with disabilities.  This eight page summary provides a concise overview of eligibility, cost effectiveness, benefits and how it supports and encourages work.

SNAP Is Effective and Efficient: This brief (7 pp.) highlights how responsive SNAP has been in the recession at the same time its payment accuracy has reached an all-time high.

Youth Homelessness: Last month, the National Center on Family Homelessness released a report, America's Youngest Outcasts 2010, which ranks the 50 states on how they are addressing child homelessness. The report finds that more than 1.6 million children, or one in 45, are homeless annually in America. This represents an increase of 38% during 2007-2010. 

A Poverty Solution That Starts With a Hug: This recent New York Times op-ed summarizes the mounting scientific evidence that 'the roots of impairment and underachievement are biologically embedded, but preventable.' Toxic stress experienced by very young children due to poverty, substance abusing adults or other environmental factors can disrupt the body's metabolism or the architecture of the brain.   

2012 National Transitional Jobs Network Conference: Slated for April 12-13 in Baltimore, MD, the Conference intends to advance the field of Subsidized Employment and Transitional Jobs.  A disproportionate number of people with barriers to labor market entry - including those with little or no work history or skills, those living in unstable housing, those with criminal records, and individuals with low literacy - continue to face alarming rates of unemployment far surpassing national averages. Given the realities of the current labor market and the challenges that lay ahead, Restoring the Promise of Work: Subsidized Employment & Transitional Jobs Conference's goal includes informing attendees on best and promising programs and expanding the federal, state and local dialogue on these efforts.  

Click here to learn more.