• Information on the intent and importance of the Standard;
• Notes on documentation and compliance;
• How you can use the Standard to assess yourself to move beyond the Standard; and
• Tools and resources related to that Standard

  

Dear Colleagues:
 
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been called the most significant social justice legislation since the 1964 Civil Rights Act.  Over 16 million people have gained health insurance since the law's passage.  That's the largest change in the uninsured population in four decades-since Medicaid and Medicare were created.  And, while the benefits of the ACA are being experienced broadly across the country, we're encouraged that historically underprivileged populations have benefited from the ACA.  But, there's much remaining to be done in outreach to underserved groups, particularly for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people.
           
The Office of Community Services (OCS) will be hosting a webinar on this important issue.  Please see the attached flyer and the call-in information below.  Please also share this information with local providers in your network.
 
 Many of the uninsured are likely served by programs administered by OCS, such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Community Services Block Grant, Social Services Block Grant and/or Assets for Independence.  Each program grantee can be a partner to reach and enroll Tribal members even if that is not a program's primary purpose.  We encourage OCS grantees to think of ways to coordinate existing AIAN programming with ACA outreach and education.  Examples include:
 
*  Stay up-to-date on health insurance opportunities for AIAN people.
The ACA permanently reauthorized the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) and authorizes new programs to ensure the Indian Health Service is better equipped to meet its mission to raise the health status of AIAN people.  For more on the ACA and IHCIA implementation, please visit www.HealthCare.gov/tribal.
 
*  Provide information to participants on health insurance opportunities for AIAN people.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) maintains up-to-date information on access to high quality and timely health care for AIAN people.  AIAN people are eligible for coverage through the Indian Health Service, but can benefit from additional coverage offered by the ACA, such as when in need of specialty care.  Different communities afford different opportunities for distributing information.  Information can be handed out not just in community centers, but daycare centers, schools, grocery stores, convenience stores, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, libraries, senior centers, recreation centers, service agencies, and perhaps even door-to-door in home visits."  Please see the CMS site for AIAN or call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).
 
*  Partner with community organizations to provide AIAN outreach and education.
Navigators play a vital role in helping consumers prepare electronic and paper applications to establish eligibility and enroll in coverage through the Marketplaces and potentially qualify for an insurance affordability programs.  They also provide outreach and education to raise awareness about the Marketplace.  Indian tribes, tribal organizations and urban tribal organizations are eligible to serve as Navigators.  Please see the following site for more information:  In-person assistance and the Health Insurance Marketplace.  Benefit coordination is one strategy which allows participants who may be applying for human services to also be screened for health coverage.  Community events such as local sports games may also serve as hubs for coordinating such outreach.
 
Thank you for the critical role you are playing in helping uninsured American Indian and Alaska Native people obtain affordable health coverage.

Jeannie L. Chaffin                                                  Seth Hassett
Director                                                                  Director, Division of State Assistance
Office of Community Services                               Office of Community Services

There is increasing recognition that poverty is stubborn, entrenched, and damaging. There is also a growing body of evidence about what works to reduce poverty. Get ready for the September 16 and 17 release of Census Poverty data with CHN's annual webinar training.
 
Join expert Jared Bernstein, former top economic advisor for Vice President Biden and nationally known economic expert, to hear what the new data will likely show about poverty, income, and health insurance. You'll also learn how you can quickly find and use national, state, and local data - with plenty of time for your questions. The training is free and all webinar registrants will receive timely follow-up information before and after the data is released.
 
Webinar: Using the New Poverty Data
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT)
Register Now: https://chn.peachnewmedia.com/store/seminar/seminar.php?seminar=46565#blank
 
Presenters:
Jared Bernstein, Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Jared is an economist and frequent commentator on CNBC, MSNBC, in the New York Times, and through his own blog, On the Economy. From 2009 - 2011, Jared was the Chief Economist and Economic Advisor to Vice President Joe Biden, and now is a Senior Fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.  
 
Deborah Weinstein, Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs
Debbie has been analyzing the Census data for decades, at CHN and previously at the Children's Defense Fund, specializing in helping advocates to understand how to use the information quickly and accurately.  She writes for CHN's blog, Voices for Human Needs, and occasionally for the Huffington Post and elsewhere.

Moderated by:
Ellen Teller, Director of Government Affairs, Food Research & Action Center
Ellen is an attorney who has been a stellar anti-hunger advocate for FRAC for nearly 30 years.  A very skilled moderator, she will make sure key questions get answered.

To register and for more info:
https://chn.peachnewmedia.com/store/seminar/seminar.php?seminar=46565#blank
 
Questions or issues registering? E-mail Joanna Sandager at jsandager@chn.org.

August 24-25, 2015