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CAAP Update provides regular information on items of interest to Community Action agencies in Pennsylvania. |
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| | Can It Be True? |  | |
For the first time in many years, Congress has passed a federal budget without the last minute mega-drama of fiscal cliffs or government shutdowns.
A $1.1 trillion omnibus bill made its way easily through the House on Wednesday with a surprising 359-67 bipartisan majority. Not to be outdone, last night the Senate voted 72-26 for the measure, which will fund the government through September and funds every agency of government.
As reported by NCAF earlier in the week, the FY 2014 Appropriations Bill is good news for Community Action. The 2013 sequestration cuts have been restored, returning funding to 2012 levels.
The chart below demonstrates the increases in funding for key Community Action programs:
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Core Program
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FY 2013
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FY 2014
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CSBG
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$635 Million CSBG State grants/ $33 million Discretionary Programs
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$674 Million CSBG State grants/ $35.9 million Discretionary Programs
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LIHEAP
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$ 3. 256 Billion
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$3.425 Billion
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DOE Weatherization
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$137.9 Million
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$174 Million
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Head Start
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$8.1 Billion
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$8.598 Billion
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The good news of the funding levels is punctuated by the fact that LIHEAP and CSBG are both funded at higher levels than the President's request. This demonstrates that Community Action continues to have strong bi-partisan support in both chambers of Congress, despite continuing challenges from the White House.
The Weatherization program, once the favored child of the White House, then turned into the scapegoat of the Administration, received a welcome endorsement from the House Appropriations Committee. The Committee summary read:
"...$1.9 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs placing priority on advanced manufacturing and weatherization assistance. This funding will make responsible investments in effective and proven programs..."
The 2014 Appropriations Bill is off to the White House, where the President is expected to sign before Saturday.
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| | CSBG Reauthorization Bill Introduced | | | On Monday, January 13, Representative Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the Community Economic Opportunity Act with cosponsors Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA).
HR 3854 will reauthorize the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) program which supports more than 1,000 non-profit Community Action Agencies. CSBG was last reauthorized in 1998.
 "Tackling poverty and increasing access to the American dream starts at the local level," said Fitzpatrick. "The introduction of the Community Service Block Grant Act is a step in the right direction when it comes to refocusing our anti-poverty efforts in the communities that need it most, and getting support to the local leaders who know how best to put those funds to work."
HR 3854 carries the core principles of Community Action into this new century - empowered low-income communities determining the best use of scarce resources and carrying out their strategy in partnerships - while bringing 21st century performance tools and expectations to all levels of the program. It reinforces the private role sector in fighting poverty and simplifies the many requirements in current law.
NCAF has been working on the legislation for more than two years, including CAAP and several members in the process of garnering local information and support.
Write to Rep. Fitzpatrick today to thank him for taking a leadership position in the future of Community Action. This is an important step in the success of the legislation. Fitzpatrick needs to know that people care about this legislation and Community Action. Rep. Fitzpatrick DOES NOT need to be your legislator. Remember, this is federal legislation that will benefit all Community Action Agencies. An influx of support letters, emails, Facebook and Twitter posts will not only show him appreciation for stepping forward, but will provide him with ammunition to those that will attempt to challenge the bill.
Write:
Honorable Michael G. Fitzpatrick
2400 Rayburn House Office Building
Call:
(202) 225-4276 - Washington office
(215) 579-8102 - District office
Email:
Use this link to send an email message through the website. Enter zipcode 18901 in order to utilize the system.
https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/contact-me/email-me
Post:
https://www.facebook.com/RepFitzpatrick
Tweet:
@RepFitzpatrick
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| | What's Coming? | | |
Though the CAAP annual conference is still several months away, the planning has been going on since last April.
Here is a seek peak of some of the great education you will experience April 9 and 10 during Beyond 50: Celebrating our past by looking to our future.
Kent Rader will return from his successful visit in 2010 to discuss his four principle of business practice the only way Kent can - with insightful stories and over-the-top humor.
David Bradley will also return to bring us "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: Community Action's Impact." Bradley always brings an insiders perspective of the happenings in Washington.
The 17th annual CAAP Self-Sufficiency Awards will open with "Coloring Outside the Lines: Innovation and Creative Problem Solving" by Jeff Tobe, before honoring the 15 SSA recipients of 2014.
Twenty workshops in four educational tracks will offered. Topics ranging from the Affordable Care Act to Needs Assessment to Volunteer Management to Fiscal Protections will be offered. All levels of staff will find a number of workshops that are relevant to their responsibilities.
Keeping with the conference theme, and to recognize the individuals and organizations that make Community Action great, the first CAAP Distinguished Service Awards will take place during a 50th Anniversary dinner. Representative David Reed will be the featured speaker.
Keep looking for more conference information, including additional general session speakers and registration information to come soon.
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| | Change of (some) Guard | |
State Representative Ron Miller (R-York) has announced that he will be seeking the seat of State Senator Mike Waugh who resigned earlier this week to be the executive director of the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Lt. Governor Jim Cawley announced Monday that the special election will be held on March 18th.
State Representative Todd Rock (R-Franklin) has announced that he will not be seeking re-election this year. Rock has represented the 90th district since 2007.
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| | Philly Takes Big Steps to Fight Poverty | | |
CAAP member, Mayor's Office of Community Empowerment & Opportunity (CEO), has been making some big impacts on poverty in Philadelphia.
In July 2013 the Mayor of Philadelphia and CEO launched Shared Prosperity, a plan to fight poverty within the city. A core component of the plan is to strengthen economic security and asset building.
The primary vehicle for making progress towards this goal has been the implementation of the Financial Empowerment Centers. Funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Financial Empowerment Centers offer free one-on-one financial counseling to anyone over the age of eighteen. With its non-profit partner, Clarifi, the City has opened seven Centers throughout the city, and, to date, have successfully helped nearly 2,300 people reduce their debt, improve their credit scores, increase their savings, and secure bank accounts.
In other Philly news. The President recently announced the first five Promise Zones in
his plan to work with local communities and businesses to create jobs, increase economic security, expand educational opportunities, increase access to quality, affordable housing and improve public safety across the country.
Along with Philadelphia, the other sites are San Antonio, Los Angeles, Southeastern Kentucky and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Philadelphia was chosen for its proven track record of government working collaboratively with business, faith-based and non-profit organizations to ensure that opportunity becomes real for every member of their communities. They have developed a strong plan to create jobs, provide quality, affordable housing and expand educational opportunity. The Promise Zone designation will provide Philadelphia with access to on-the-ground federal partners, resources and grant preferences.
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| Happy Birthday | | |
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| | About Us | | |
Community Action Association of Pennsylvania
222 Pine Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
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This newsletter is financed, in part, by a CSBG grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development. |
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