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December 2, 2013

NACHSA e-Alert

 

Greetings NACHSA Members!

Federal Update: The House returns this week and plans on adjourning for the year on December 13. Across the Hill, the Senate remains in recess and is slated to return next week, with an adjournment target of December 20. These different schedules leave only a few days when both bodies are in session to either negotiate and/or adopt legislation before the end of the year. Key decisions have yet to be made on major measures such as the farm bill/SNAP cuts and a budget blueprint to pave the way for a spending bill to keep the federal government operating past January 15.

 

SNAP: With respect to the farm bill, there are reports that there is an agreement to make at least one cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by restricting the ability of those states that have used a Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefit to trigger the Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) for purposes of determining SNAP eligibility and benefits. Both the House and Senate bills contained such a cut, with the House $8.7 billion cut over ten years requiring at least a $20 annual LIHEAP benefit to qualify for the SUA.

 

FY2014 Budget: There is little news on progress toward reaching a bipartisan agreement on a budget blueprint which would allocate pots of funding for the 12 appropriations subcommittees to use to make spending determinations for each program by January 15. House and Senate budget committee leadership face a December 13 due date to create a blueprint for the House and Senate to consider, but there are no legislative/fiscal penalties for not reaching an agreement by that time. That date is the same day that the House plans to leave town for the year. While there appears to be bipartisan agreement that a federal shutdown must be avoided next month and the pending sequester cuts to defense and domestic programs be minimized, there is no clear legislative path to do so at this time.

 

NACHSA Networker Needs You!: Do you have a county program you are proud of? Is there a statewide initiative underway, a collaboration with a community-based organization or a hot health and human services issue garnering attention in your community? Please consider writing a short (750-1,500 words) article to let your colleagues nationwide know about it. The Networker publication is devoted to highlighting best practices at the local level. In terms of 'open rates', the Networker is NACHSA's most widely read publication. Articles are due December 13 and should be e-mailed to Tom Joseph at [email protected].  

In This Issue
Health Reform Resources
Human Services Resources
Human Services Jobs
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Health Reform Resources

Enrolling Homeless Individuals in the ACA: This New York Times article describes how housing advocates believe that the Medicaid expansion has the potential to reduce rates of homelessness significantly, both by preventing low-income Americans from becoming homeless as a result of illness or medical debt and by helping homeless people become eligible for and remain in housing. But signing up homeless people for Medicaid is a huge logistical challenge.    

Human Services Resources
First Quarter FY 2014 SSBG Allocation ReleasedHHS has provided states with first quarter FY 2014 allocations for the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). The allocations reflect the -7.2% sequestration cut for mandatory programs, effective October 1, 2013. Read the letter here. The first quarter allocations for each state may be viewed here.

 

ACEs Website: Over the last 15 years, research has shown that childhood trauma injures a child's brain which may be seen on a scan. It impairs the brain's physical development and function. The result: These adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) cause kids to have a hard time learning, making friends and trusting adults. The Aces too High website is devoted to this topic. 

 

ABA Paper on Trauma Informed Care: According to the 2012 Report of the Attorney General's National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence, 46 million children living in the United States will have their lives affected by violence, crime, abuse, or psychological trauma this year. The Task Force recommends that every professional or advocate serving children exposed to violence and psychological trauma learn and provide trauma-informed care and trauma-focused services. This brief, from the ABA Center on Children and the Law, highlights the effects of trauma on child well-being and provides practice recommendations and examples of specific initiatives to guide transformation of the system. 

 

Homelessness has dropped 9 percent since 2007. Will it last?: The Washington Post summarizes a new HUD survey on homelessness. Read it here. A summary of the findings may be found here. The full report may be found by clicking here.

 

White House SNAP Report: The White House has posted a report, Supporting Families, Strengthening Communities: The Economic Importance of Nutrition Assistance on the important role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for millions of families. Read it here.

 
Child Support Payment Data Released: A Census Bureau report shows that while more contact with noncustodial parents increases the likelihood of receiving the full amount of child support payments due, just 62.3 percent of the $37.9 billion owed was actually paid to the nation's 14.4 million custodial parents in 2011. Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: 2011 focuses on child support income received from noncustodial parents, including additional noncash assistance and health insurance. An infographic is found here. Read the press release.
 
Child Sex Trafficking Webinar This Week: On Wednesday, December 4, from 2:00-3:15 pm ET, the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) is conducting a webinar, The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC): What Schools Need to Know to Understand and Respond to Human Trafficking. It will focus on how CSEC is beginning to manifest itself in U.S. schools, and how homeless and other vulnerable youth often are targeted for victimization. In addition, presenters will recommend specific steps that may be taken by local school districts to respond to this growing issue in a responsible and effective manner. While the webinar is geared towards schools, service providers, child welfare agencies, and other organizations are invited to attend. Click here to register.
 
Home Visiting Program Featured: The November issue of the journal Pediatrics contains a special supplement on the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program. MIECHV supports states and communities in their implementation of evidence-based home visiting services that provide information, guidance, and referrals related to parenting, early child development, health, and school readiness.
Human Services Jobs
Sonoma County, California's Human Services Department is accepting applications for the position of Human Services Fiscal Manager. Please apply by Thursday, December 5.

 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services is accepting applications for a Child Safety and Permanency Division Director. Please apply by Friday, December 6.

 

Ramsey County, Minnesota is accepting applications for its Director of Community Human Services. Please apply before December 17, 2013.

 

The County Welfare Directors Association of California is searching to an Information Technology Associate. Please apply by January 15.

Tom Joseph
National Association of County Human Services Administrators