eAdvocate – April 2016
 |
|
State UpdateSenate Bill 2321, Senate Amendment #2 On Tuesday, SB 2321 SA #2 passed out of the Senate Human Services committee. SB 2321 SA #2 would exempt all school-age programs designed to promote learning, child development or recreational activity from DCFS licensure. The bill includes a small number of requirements for these programs to receive the exemption, including that they set standards for ratios and participate in health and safety trainings. Illinois Action for Children testified in opposition to SB 2321 SA #2, but in the end, the bill passed out of committee on the premise that the sponsor, Senator Syverson, would convene all stakeholders to discuss possible compromises and hopefully amend the legislation to address everyone’s concerns. Illinois Action for Children is committed to the safety of children and building a quality workforce. We will continue to advocate for licensing as a foundation for programs serving young children, while working with the proponents of SB 2321 to find common ground for ways to improve the system.. House Resolution 922 HR 922, The Responsible Budget Resolution, calls upon the General Assembly to pass a budget with adequate revenue to fund necessary services and has been referred to the Finance Subcommittee. HR 922 is crucial because we are now 10 months into this budget impasse and it remains unclear when or how it will be resolved. Every day without a budget, more programs are unable to provide services and more families are hurt as a result. Call your Representative and ask them to stand up for Illinois families and sign on as a co-sponsor of HR 922! New Research on CCAP Work Schedules Illinois Action for Children’s Research Department has released a research brief on the work schedules of families on the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) in Cook County. Using the case files of 500 randomly selected CCAP families, we were able to examine their work schedules and child care arrangements. We found that almost half of CCAP parents work nontraditional hours (evenings, nights and/or weekends). Few of these parents, moreover, use licensed child care. Federal UpdateHouse GOP Budget Proposal Last month, the GOP’s budget proposal passed through the House Budget Committee and could be presented on the House floor in the coming weeks. The proposal centers around cutting programs that provide assistance to moderate- and low-income households in an effort to reduce the overall deficit. The cuts would come to a total of $3.7 trillion in entitlement and discretionary spending over 10 years including:
Since budgets are drafted to include figures over 10 years, by 2026 programs for moderate- to low-income families would be cut by approximately 42 percent overall. This proposal is unlikely to pass through the chamber amid resistance from the House Freedom Caucus and Democrats. SNAP Limits Reinstated On April 1st, many non-working, able-bodied adults saw their SNAP benefits come to an end as states have begun to reinstate work requirements to receive benefits. Under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996, non-working, able-bodied adults without dependents are restricted to 3 months of assistance within a 36 month period, with some exceptions. To extend benefits, one can work, volunteer or attend a training program for at least 20 hours per week. During the height of the Great Recession, most states were granted permission by the federal government to waive the SNAP work requirements in an effort to extend benefits to those in need. However, regions/states had to prove unemployment was high or job opportunities were scarce to receive the waiver. Now that the economy has improved, many states decided not to request an additional waiver or were no longer eligible. Overall, it is projected that approximately 500,000 Americans will be impacted. For more information, click here. Child Nutrition In the coming months, the Senate is expected to consider the Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016, which would reauthorize all federal child nutrition programs including the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). CACFP offers federal subsidies for early care programs to provide low-income children with healthy meals and snacks, based on standards developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This bill would provide an additional snack for children in care longer than 9 hours per day, which is crucial in the fight against child hunger. Click here to read more information on the bill. Community Systems Development ResourcesNew Illinois’ Early Childhood Collaborations Map Visit the Partner, Plan, Act website to view and download the latest version of the Illinois Early Childhood Collaboration Map. Updates include a statewide visual of collaborations featured in the 3rd edition of the Illinois Early Childhood Collaboration Profiles (2015). Have you used the profiles to connect with a collaboration in your area? We want to hear from you! Email partnerplanact@actforchildren.org to share ways you have used the profiles to connect with a local collaboration or learn more about the work of other collaborations in Illinois. Partner Plan Act Conference – June 16, 2016 The Consortium for Community Systems Development will host our 3rd Annual “Partner Plan Act” Conference on June 16, 2016. Join early childhood system leaders, local collaborations and advocates for a day of networking and learning opportunities. We will return to Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois. More details to follow. Registration opening soon! Upcoming EventsIAFC’s Advocacy Day Join us on May 5th in Springfield to deliver letters from your program and make your voice heard this Mother’s Day! Please wear yellow! Limited Bus Transportation from the Chicago area is available. Contact: Luis Roman, Community Engagement Associate at (773) 564-8724 or Luis.Roman@actforchildren.org Actualización EstatalProyecto de ley SB 2321, Enmienda del Senado (SA) # 2 Illinois Action for Children testificó en contra de SB 2321 SA # 2, pero al final, el proyecto de ley fue aprobado por el comité en la premisa de que el promotor, el senador Syverson, convocara a todas las partes interesadas para discutir posibles compromisos y espereamos que la legislación será modificada para tomar en cuenta las preocupaciones de todos. Illinois Action for Children está comprometido a asegurar la seguridad de los niños y la creación de una fuerza de trabajo de calidad. Vamos a seguir abogando por las licencias como base para programas que sirven a los niños pequeños, mientras trabajamos con los proponentes de SB 2321 para encontrar un terreno común para mejorar el sistema. Resolución de la Casa de Representantes (HR 922) Nueva investigación sobre horarios de trabajo para familias que reciben CCAP Actualización FederalPropuesta de presupuesto del partido republicano en la cámara Los recortes llegarían a un total de $3.7 trillones en derecho y gasto discrecional durante más de 10 años incluyendo:
Ya que los presupuestos son redactados para incluir figuras por más de 10 años, para el 2026 los programas para familias de bajos a moderados ingresos serian recortados por aproximadamente el 42 porciento en general. Esta propuesta es improbable que sea aprobada por medio de la cámara en medio de resistencia por parte del caucus de libertad de la cámara y demócratas. Para leer más, haga clic aquí. Límites de SNAP reintegrados Durante la cúspide de la gran recesión, la mayoría de los estados fueron otorgados permiso del gobierno federal de ceder a los requisitos de trabajo de SNAP en un esfuerzo por extender beneficios a aquellos con necesidad. Sin embargo, las regiones/estados tenían que comprobar que el desempleo era alto o oportunidades de trabajo eran escasas para recibir la exención. Ahora que la economía ha mejorado, muchos estados decidieron no pedir una exención adicional o ya no eran elegibles. En general, es proyectado que aproximadamente 500,000 americanos serán impactados. Para más información, haga clic aquí. Nutrición infantil Haga clic aquí para leer más información sobre el proyecto de ley. Recursos del consorcio para el desarrollo de sistemas comunitariosNuevo mapa de colaborativos de la infancia temprana de Illinois Conferencia de Partner Plan Act – 16 de junio del 2016 Eventos PróximosDía de abogacía de Illinois Action for Children Únase a nosotros el 5 de mayo en Springfield para entregar cartas de su programa y hacer que su voz se escuche este Día de las Madres! Por favor, use una prenda de color amarillo! 5 de mayo, 2016 Transporte limitado en autobús desde el área de Chicago está disponible. Contacte a: Luis Roman, organizador comunitario, en el (773) 564-8724 o Luis.Roman@actforchildren.org |
Articles:Fewer Children’s Products Recalled Helping Babies Deal with Toxic Stress IAFC’s Research Brief on CCAP Work Schedules Resources:Review materials from our Spring Into Action Conference
|
