Beginning in June, the Connecticut Alliance for Basic Human Needs (CABHN) will be offering three workshops to help low-income people in CT and the agencies that serve them:
"How to Find Help"
If you, your agency, or grassroots or religious organization, or neighbors would like to know more about the social service programs still available and now to access these programs, the CABHN Community Liaison is available to come and speak with you. The topics could include, but are not limited to: housing; food & nutrition; health insurance; job & educational opportunities; legal aid services.
"Legislative Update 2000"
CABHN's Community Liaison is available to come to speak to your group, agency, or grassroots organizations and give them a 2000 Legislative Update. There have been many changes made by the CT General Assembly this session and many of the bills which were passed this session are going to be affecting the lives of low-income families and single adults in Connecticut.
"Public Policy and How You Can Influence It"
CABHN is offering workshops for your community group or agency on how to influence public policy makers. The workshop will outline the legislative process, how citizens can be more involved, how to make your voices heard, and understanding the state budget.
Each workshop takes about 2 hours, but can be tailored to meet your time constraints. CABHN will come to you and bring written materials and trainers. You need to provide meeting space.
To set up a work shop call Deborah Noble at (860)278-5688x12 or e-mail her at e-mail Dnoble@larcc.org.
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Helping Non-profit Agencies Tell Their Tales
From: The Hartford Courant 7/10/00
Lojeri Productions of Vernon produces educational and promotional videos and
films for museums, historical and cultural agencies, and other nonprofits and
provides educational and marketing videos for organizations that do not have the
staff or funding to produce these materials themselves. For more
information, contact Loretta Rivers at (860)871-2480.
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Southern & Eastern CT Residents: Get Up to $8,000 Towards Your Self-Sufficiency Goals
The ACCESS Agency, CTE, NEON, and ABCD have joined forces to sponsor an Individual Development Account (IDA) program. IDAs are matched savings accounts in which folks can save towards home ownership, small business start up, or post-secondary education. Savings are matched dollar for dollar by funds from the IDA program and its many community supporters. At the end of the savings period (four years), participants can save as much as $8,000. For more information, call Patti Woolrich at (860)450-7146 or e-mail her at patriciaw@accessagency.org.
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NCAF Seminars & Workshops
The National Community Action Foundation (NCAF) offer a variety of workshops and seminars of interest to Community Action professionals. Scheduling an NCAF seminar is a great way to educate and entertain your membership, complement your conference agenda, and support NCAF. Topics include:
The History and Philosophy of the War on Poverty
Understanding the Congressional Authorizing and Appropriations Process
How Congress Really Works: The Authorizing Game
How Congress Really Works: The Appropriations Game
Strategic Planning for Energy Partnerships
For more information on workshops, time availability, and cost, contact Kellie Baker at (202)842-2092x11.
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Infoline Changes
As of July 2000, Infoline will use an automated attendant for 2-1-1. This will allow 2-1-1 to serve as the universal access point for people needing help and will allow easier access to Infoline's specialized child care and children's health services. For more information, visit the website www.infoline.org.
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Connecticut Housing
Coalition Annual Conference
September 28, 2000
Join the Connecticut Housing Coalition for "Affordable Housing: An Industry and a Movement" on Thursday, September 28, 2000 at the Cromwell Radisson Hotel for the largest gathering of affordable housing practitioners and activists. It's the "can't miss it" event of the year. For more information e-mail ct.housing@snet.net or call (860)563-2943.
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CABHN Fever On-line
The monthly newsletter from the Connecticut Alliance for Basic Human Needs (CABHN) is now available on-line. To be added to the mailing list, please contact Deborah Noble at DNoble@larcc.org or call her at (860)278-5688x12.
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Idea for Local Action:
National "Welfare Made A Difference"Campaign
CABHN is planning to take part in the national campaign "Welfare Made a Difference." On September 14, 2000, current and former welfare recipients from across the country will speak out about how welfare helped them achieve self-sufficiency. If you're interested, please call Debbie Noble at (860)278-5688x12 or e-mail her at Dnoble@larcc.org
Day of Conscience
The Coalition to End Child Poverty in Connecticut is organizing a Day of Conscience on Saturday, October 21, 2000 to challenge the wealthiest state to eliminate child poverty. The day will include local proclamations and a statewide event. For more information, call the Coalition at (860)257-9782.
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UPDATE ON EITC AROUND THE
COUNTRY
(From: "E-Notes", CT
Voices for Children)
Thanks to Nick Johnson of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. For more information, contact Nick at -- johnson@cbpp.org Note: The CT General Assembly has for two years refused to pass legislation that would provide a State Earned Income Credit for CTıslower income working families. Maine has become the fourth New England state to offer an Earned Income Tax Credit. Like the Illinois EITC enacted earlier this month, the Maine credit is a nonrefundable credit set at 5% of the federal credit. In addition, Vermont has increased its refundable state EITC from 25% to 32%of the federal credit. The Vermont increase was passed as part of a "liveable income" law which, among other provisions, requires the state tax and human services departments to work together to propose a package of tax and welfare law changes that will ensure that every working Vermonter has enough income to meet his or her family's basic needs. Counting the District of Columbia's refundable 10% state EITC, which was signed by the mayor and approved by the Financial Control Board in June 2000, there are now 14 state EITCs based on the federal credit -- 9refundable, 5 nonrefundable. Refundable credits (with tax year 2000 percentage in parentheses):
---Colorado (10%), District of Columbia (10%), Kansas (10%), Maryland (15%), Massachusetts (10%), Minnesota (averages 33% depending on income), New York (20%), Vermont (32%), Wisconsin (4% to 43% depending on family size).
Non-refundable credits:
---Illinois (5%), Iowa (6.5%), Maine (5%), Oregon (5%), Rhode Island (26%).
The Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Welfare Information Network have redesigned and expanded the Making Wages Work web site -- www.makingwageswork.org/. It includes a long section on state EITCs that you will useful as a compendium of information and resources.
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Self-Advocacy Skills Program
Statewide Legal Services is offering seminars to help you help your clients learn to protect themselves against serious legal problems such as evictions, utility shut-offs, bankruptcy, or child custody issues. Statewide Legal Services Self-Advocacy Skills Program is designed to empower people to make their own choices and take control of their legal problems before they become too serious.
National Dialogue Town Hall Meeting Held in D.C.
The National Association of Community Action Agencies (NACAA) wrapped up the Dialogue on Poverty 2000 series on June 15 in Washington, DC. Delegates from dialogues held across the country shared the barriers to self-sufficiency faced by low-income people in their state with national elected officials, representatives from NACAA's partner groups, and members of the media. The conversation focused specifically on what can be done in the areas of jobs and income, affordable housing, and basic needs.
Statewide Dialogue on Poverty a Success
On June 9th, CAFCA, in conjunction with a number of other agencies, held 2001: A State's Odyssey - Out of Poverty, Into Action at the Legislative Office Building. The forum was a follow-up to discussions held at Community Action Agencies across the state this Spring. It addressed ideas on how to solve the major impediments to self-sufficiency in Connecticut.
Come to the Wake!
June 19, 2000
9:30 am
East Steps of the State Capitol
(facing Trinity Street, Hartford)
Good bills that would have helped Connecticut's
neediest citizens were killed during the 2000 Legislative session. Join
the Campaign to Fight Poverty and Build Economic Security for a funeral
procession at the State Capitol during the special session to express their
grief and outrage over good bills that were killed!
Bring signs, relatives, friends, noisemakers, drums, etc. Dress in black
if possible. Armbands provided.
For more information, please contact Sara Parker McKernan, LARCC at (860)278-5688x11, Carolyn Gabel, Democracy Works at (860)727-1157.
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A campaign to implement a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for community providers is being sponsored by the The Connecticut Nonprofit Human Services Cabinet, an association of nonprofit provider and advocacy groups in Connecticut, and the Mental Health Association of Connecticut. Private agencies need an increased COLA to ensure maintenance of current service levels.
The COLA Coalition sponsored rally and lobbying days at the Capitol.
On April 11th, the Campaign to Fight Poverty and Build Economic Security held a rally on the North Steps of the Capitol demanding policies that will lead to self-sufficiency for everyone in Connecticut. The rally, part of a day-long lobbying event held at the Capitol, addressed five issues: affordable housing, quality education, universal healthcare, good jobs, and effective democracy.
CRT of Hartford held a Dialogue on Poverty on Saturday, April 1. John Larson (pictured above, 3rd from left) was keynote speaker. CRT's Dialogue gave local policy makers, advocates, nonprofit providers, members of the private sector, and area residents a chance to come together to talk about their experiences with poverty and strategize ways to ensure self-sufficiency for everyone in the region. This event was part of the national series Dialogue on Poverty 2000: Leading America to Community Action, coordinated by the National Association of Community Action Agencies.
Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF)/ Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Spending
Connecticut is eligible to receive $267 million from the federal government through the TANF block grant to assist needy families with children in achieving self-sufficiency. The state must match this funding with $184 million, called maintenance of effort spending. CAFCA, along with a number of other advocacy and provider groups, signed a letter to members of the Connecticut General Assembly drafted by the Connecticut Alliance for Basic Human Needs (CABHN) detailing concerns about previous misuse of these funds and suggesting ways to spend these funds that would help needy families.
Community Action in Connecticut joined housing advocates across the state in a fight against a bill that would have effectively allowed landlords to discriminate against Section 8 tenants. The efforts put forth by advocates to educate legislators about the potential effect of this bill was essential in killing it.