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 MILLIONS OF AMERICANS STUCK IN PERPETUAL FINANCIAL INSECURITY --
CFED SCORECARD RELEASED |
An Important Tool for Community Action!CFED's 2016 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard concludes that today's economic status quo offers little hope to these struggling families. Without sufficient income to cover basic needs such as housing, it becomes next to impossible to build up even a small amount of savings for unforeseen expenses or to plan for a more prosperous future.
The outlook is particularly dire for individuals and families of color, who are 2.1 times more likely to live below the federal poverty level and 1.7 times more likely to lack liquid savings. African-American and Latino consumers also are significantly more likely to have subprime credit scores.
The Scorecard presents a huge compendium of financial data that paints a clear picture of interconnected frustration. For instance, taking just the example of housing, more than half (51.8%) of all renters are "cost-burdened," meaning they spend more than one-third of their income on housing. That housing expense reduces income to pay for food, doctors and child care, leaving bills that can't be paid on time and forcing consumers to take on high-cost, short-term loans.
Download the report of key findings, share the infographics through social media, and use the state-specific data for community needs assessments today.
The recording and slides from the launch are available for review: watch the recording or download the slides. Also go to the website to play around with all of the tools offered.
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THE HIDDEN FINANCIAL LIVES OF AMERICA'S POOR AND MIDDLE CLASS
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The Hidden Financial Lives of America's Poor and Middle Class Webinars
When:
Part Two: February 4, 2016 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
Sponsor: Stanford Social Innovation Review
What are the implications of the U.S. Financial Diaries and other research and how can they provide insights to help families escape poverty, build stability, move up the ladder, and invest in the future? These webinars will provide a look at innovative policies, products, and programs that seek to help households make ends meet, build security and stability, and invest for the future. Presenters will also share innovative efforts in all sectors of society-from financial tech start-ups, to new policy approaches at all levels of government, and everything in between.
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MORE THAN 500,000 ADULTS WILL LOST SNAP BENEFITS IN
2016 AS WAIVERS EXPIRE
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As you may have heard more than 500,000 and as many as 1 million of the nation's poorest people will be cut off SNAP (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) over the course of 2016, due to the return in many areas of a three-month limit on SNAP benefits for unemployed adults aged 18-49 who aren't disabled or raising minor children. These individuals will lose their food assistance benefits after three months regardless of how hard they are looking for work. The impact will be felt in the 23 states that must or are choosing to reimpose the time limit in 2016. While some states were not able to extend the waiver of the time limit given unemployment rates, other states were but chose not to. This issue will likely impact Community Action Agency customers and place a greater burden on food pantries as individuals are cut off from SNAP later this spring. We hope you will stay abreast of the issue in your local communities and keep us apprised at the Partnership. Click here to read more from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
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CHILD NUTRITIONAL RE-AUTHORIZATION BILL UPDATE
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 Last week the Senate introduced a proposed child nutrition authorization bill that will have impact on summer nutrition programs, school lunches, and childcare food programs that serve many Community Action community members.
In anticipation of legislation this week from the Senate to reauthorize child nutrition programs, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack provides the following statement: "We are pleased the Senate is making bipartisan progress to reauthorize critical child nutrition programs. The Senate's bill is a win for children, parents, schools and for our country's future". Read more here
The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) released their summary and analysis of the "Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016". It can be viewed online here.
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THE TAX IMPLICATIONS OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT:
WEBINAR ON FEBRUARY 12
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REGISTER NOW!
We welcome you to join us for the webinar "The Tax Implications of the Affordable Care Act" on Thursday, February 4th, 2:00 pm Eastern time. Join the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to learn about this year's increase in the tax penalty for not having health insurance, exemptions that may apply to ACF populations, updated exemption applications, and important information that CAAs and VITA sitesto know at tax time. Stefanie Costello, a Health Insurance Specialist in the Partner Relations Group at CMS, will provide information and answer questions.
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2016 POLITICS, POVERTY AND THE PRESIDENCY FORUM IN NASHUA, NH
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The 2016 Politics, Poverty and the Presidency Forum was held in Nashua, NH January 21-22, 2016. The Forum was sponsored by the New England Community Action Partnership (NECAP), Community Action Partnership, Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, and the National Community Action Foundation (NCAF).
There were over 100 Community Action colleagues from around the country in attendance to hear from Presidential candidates and elected officials on their plans to combat poverty. New York Times columnist Charles Blow discussed race, poverty, and social justice; CAPLAW gave some reminders on how CAAs can be engaged in advocacy during election years; with Greg Kauffman of TalkPoverty offered insights into the reality of the poverty statistics; and several candidates addressed poverty and opportunity. Thanks to NECAP for all of their hard work in getting poverty into the political conversation! #2016PoliticsPoverty
 Left to right: Forum organizers Donnalee Lozeau, Executive Director of Southern New Hampshire Services, Amos Smith, President & CEO of the Community Action Agency of New Haven, Inc., and President of NECAP, and Kelley Jacobson Hall, Connecticut Association for Community Action.
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HEALTH COVERAGE AND SERVICES ENSURE ALL STUDENTS ARE READY TO LEARN -- LETTER AND TOOLKIT RELEASED BY HHS AND ED |
 In a new letter sent to governors, chief state school officers, state health officials and state Medicaid directors, the U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (HHS) recognize the critical role that healthcare coverage and health services play in ensuring all students are ready and able to learn and recommended action steps to better coordinate health and education services for all students and their families.
ED and HHS also released a new toolkit that details five high impact opportunities for states and local school districts to support stronger communities through collaboration education and health sectors, highlighting best practices and key research in both areas.
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NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE FEATURES COMMUNITY ACTION
FOR WYOMING COUNTY (NY)
|  The work of one of New York State's most rural Community Action Agency was spotlighted in the New York Times last week (1/26/16) for its work with the Office of New Americans.Community Action for Wyoming County and its Angel Action Network were critical in assisting Bhutanese refugees and the local farming community in resettlement efforts.
To read the New York Times article, click here.
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SENATOR CHRIS MURPHY VISITS NEW HAVEN CAA IN SUPPORT OF LIHEAP
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Murphy hears firsthand how Connecticut residents have tough time with heating bills
 Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) listened to Jasmine Sullivan's story of her difficulty paying her energy bills during his visit last Monday to the Community Action Agency of New Haven. Now, he plans to share it with colleagues in Washington, D.C. as he fights for more federal funding for the low income energy assistance program.
Here are links to the full story:
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/keeping_the_heat_on/
http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Funding-for-Home-Heating-Assistance-Should-be-Increased-Senator-Murphy--366482431.html
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CCAP WEDNESDAY WEBINARS -- IS IT FOR ME?
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Are you a candidate for Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP)? Think you may want to pursue CCAP and looking for information? Then the CCAP Wednesday Webinar series is a great place to start. Becoming a CCAP is a three step process in which your peers assess your experience, skills and knowledge about Community Action. CCAPs have met the challenge to embody Community Action vision and values and to acquire the management and leadership skills it takes to be keepers of the Community Action Promise. If you become a candidate, you will be asked to: STEP 1. Chronicle your experiences in the Candidate Data FormWebinar completed December 9 - access a recording hereSTEP 2. Showcase your skills in an Executive Skills PortfolioSTEP 3: Demonstrate your practical knowledge about Community Action in the national examination Webinar March 30, 2:00 ET/1:00 CT/12:00 MT/11:00 PT Register for the next webinar here.
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JOIN THE PARTNERSHIP NOW FOR 2016!
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Why Join Community Action Partnership?
Agencies like yours continue to shape the vision and the future of
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Community Action. A strong network puts you in touch with many colleagues across the country and gives your agency a strong and unified voice and a vital communications link to federal agencies and other organizations, both public and private, that share or support the mission and the Promise of Community Action.
Community Action Partnership looks forward to working with you in 2016. We hope that you can take a few minutes to invest in your future during this upcoming, critical year for our network.
Please complete the membership application for the Partnership.
If your agency has already submitted the membership dues for 2016 - "Thank You!" We appreciate your involvement and support. We look forward to launching some outstanding opportunities for membership involvement in the coming year! Your energy and involvement have helped to keep Community Action Partnership responsive to your needs and built the strongest community action network ever. Membership gives you more than ever before ... access to training, publications, educational resources, and management tools which help you run a CAA more productively. Community Action Partnership welcomes like-minded organizations, friends, and affiliates as members - organizations and companies that are like-minded and support the work of Community Action. If you would like to consider membership, you can check "affiliate" in the membership categories. If you have any questions, please contact Sranda Watkins, Membership Coordinator at swatkins@communityactionpartnership.com or by phone at (202) 449-9773.
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SAVE THE DATES FOR THE 2016 ANNUAL CONVENTION IN AUSTIN!
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ISA is an insurance provider providing property, liability, and risk management services. Click here to learn about the Irwin Siegel Agency alliance with the Partnership or visit their website. |
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