LAMPa Enews - October 2013

Congregations have an important role to play in getting out the word on new health coverage options now available under the Affordable Care Act for people currently without health insurance in PA. As many as 80% of the almost 900,000 uninsured adults and children in Pennsylvania may not know they will be eligible to receive tax credits to help lower their cost of health insurance. You can help bridge that gap.

Find out how and learn where Gov. Tom Corbett's "Healthy Pennsylvania" proposal fits in.

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN HURTS NUTRITION PROGRAMS

The federal government's failure to act on a farm bill or a budget leaves hungry Pennsylvanians with severely limited access to nutrition. While the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps) and school meals will be funded through October, other critical nutrition programs for low-income families and seniors will not. Learn which programs are threatened now.

SNAP CUTS COMING

Nearly 1.8 million Pennsylvanians will see a cut in the Supplemental Nutrion Assistance Program (food stamps) this fall equal to 21 lost meals per month for a family of four, according to U.S.D.A. data discussed in a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington. Read more about the impacts in PA from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center. .

Watch this new video that separates fact from fiction.

LUTHERANS EQUIPPED FOR SCHOOL NUTRITION ADVOCACY

In Pennsylvania, hundreds of thousands of children are missing out on the most important meal of the day. LAMPa's policy council spent a day in State College visiting and learning about school breakfast and farm-to-school programs and are equipped with strategies for advancing school breakfast programs in their local districts. Stay tuned for progress and contact LAMPa for help in developing your local strategy for this effective way to combat hunger and its effects on learning.

Read more here.

For tips on how to get started in your congregation, check out LAMPa's

School Breakfast Campaign Resource Page.

HOUSING TRUST FUND MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Nearly $8.5 million is going to put homes within reach of more Pennsylvanians in 22 counties, thanks to the Pa. Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) Fund. The recently awarded funding comes from impact fees in the Marcellus Shale region and will be returned to projects in those areas. LAMPa is working with housing partners to expand the Pa. State Housing Trust Fund to create jobs, strengthen communities and prevent homelessness. Read more.

See the projects the fund is supporting here.

LAMPa LAUNCHES IMMIGRATION TASK FORCE

To better support congregations and synods in their efforts to stand for welcome, LAMPa has convened a statewide task force on immigration-related issues.

Pennsylvania Dream Act

One action the task force is supporting would give some 800 Pennsylvania high school seniors a shot at the American Dream as they return to school this fall. LAMPa is mobilizing the Lutheran voice in the state to join together to call for the passage of Senate Bill 713, the DREAM Act.

Visitation Ministry Grants Deadline Oct. 18

Pennsylvania is home to four U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers, part of a network of more than 250 jails the government uses to incarcerate more than 34,000 immigrants on any given day. Lutheran Immigration and Refugue Service (LIRS) is introducing Visitation Ministry Grants. The deadline is Oct. 18. Learn more.

CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY ACTIONS FOR ADVOCACY

In August 2013, over 1,000 voting members at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Pittsburgh acted on resolutions and memorials that have implications for LAMPa's advocacy ministry. LAMPa has prepared a summary of these actions and noted current, related public policy issues in Pennsylvania. Read more.

LUTHERAN DAY AT THE CAPITOL - MAY 6, 2014

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR LAMPA'S 35TH ANNIVERSARY

Lutheran Day at the Capitol will be a special gathering to celebrate LAMPa's 35th Anniversary! It will include a day of worship, learning and activites based at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Camp Hill followed by an evening dinner and program held in the State Capitol Rotunda.