Connecticut Association for Community Action 2015 Policy Agenda

Transcription

1 ABCD Access BCO CAANH CAAWC CRT HRANB NOI TEAM TVCCA Empowering people, improving communities Connecticut Association for 2015 Policy Agenda Connecticut s network provides basic human needs services such as food, shelter, heating assistance, and child care to the state s low and moderate income communities. We provide these services utilizing a multigenerational, customer-focused, integrated human service delivery system called the Human Services Infrastructure (HSI). This holistic and accountable approach is proven to effectively equip families with job skills and other tools they need to achieve long-term economic security. The Connecticut Association for, Inc. (CAFCA) will pursue the following priorities in the 2015 legislative session to help our Agencies (CAAs) reduce the conditions of poverty for Connecticut s low and moderate income communities. Preserve the Human Services Infrastructure (HSI). Connecticut s CAAs serve every city and town in our state, and know what works for their communities. HSI is a multigenerational, customer-focused, integrated service delivery system that allows every person who walks through their doors to be connected to the tools and resources they need to work their way toward economic self-sufficiency. The HSI is an investment in our future. By supporting effective, proven programs and systems like HSI that combat the complex causes of poverty, we can continue to achieve positive results for our state s most vulnerable residents. Support the Head Start model of early childhood education. This two-generational, comprehensive, proven approach addresses the social, health, and educational needs of our state s low-income children and families. In 2013, 1 in 7 children lived in poverty in Connecticut, and we continue to have one of the largest achievement gaps in the country. Children who receive the support and tools they need to succeed in school and live in wellfunctioning homes are less likely to get into trouble at school, get involved with crime, have difficulty learning, or need other support services all of which cost Connecticut taxpayers. Maintain energy assistance. Ensure that home heating fuel is affordable by strengthening and supporting the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). On average, Connecticut s poorest families owe approximately $2,560 more in energy bills than they can afford to pay. With CEAP, families are better able to cover costly home energy bills giving them the opportunity to address other critical needs, rather than choosing between them. Invest in weatherization energy conservation and healthy homes measures. Connecticut s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is our state s most important resource in assisting low and moderate income people to minimize energy-related costs and fuel usage in their homes through retrofits and home improvement measures. WAP is cost-effective, creates jobs, saves energy, and helps Connecticut families keep as much money as possible in their own pockets helping our state s economy thrive. Create a state child tax credit and support asset development initiatives. Asset development strategies like Connecticut s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and our network s Individual Development Accounts (IDA) program empower families and individuals to save smarter. The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is an essential tool that helps working families offset the high cost of providing basic needs for their children, and is a powerful weapon against poverty. 144 Clinton Street New Britain, Connecticut t f

2 ABCD Access BCO CAANH CAAWC CRT HRA NOI TEAM TVCCA CAFCA s 2015 State Priorities CAFCA.org Facebook.com/CAFCANetwork Twitter.com/CAFCA_inc (860) Connecticut s Agencies (CAAs) are our state s poverty-fighting network. We employ staff and help more than 365,000 people each year to reach greater levels of self-sufficiency and economic security. CAAs empower people in need and improve communities in every city and town. Connecticut s Safety Net Single mothers. Recent college graduates. Middleclass families. Senior citizens. Those on the brink of losing their jobs, their homes, and the ability to make ends meet. This is the face of poverty in Connecticut. Income inequality is on the rise, and the wealth gap between our nation s upper-income and middle-income families has reached its highest level on record. In 2013, 10.7% of Connecticut s population over 373,000 people lived in poverty. People that have never asked for help before are increasingly coming to our doors in droves, and our Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are there to provide vital and effective safety net services. Support Effective Services That Work CAAs save state taxpayer dollars by preventing the human and fiscal costs of individuals and families in crisis. In 2015, we urge Governor Malloy and the Legislature to: Support the Head Start model of early childhood education, a proven model that addresses the social, health, and educational needs of low-income children and families. Ensure that home heating fuel is affordable. Maintain energy assistance (CEAP). Invest in weatherization energy conservation and healthy home measures in low-income homes. Create a Child Tax Credit, and support Asset Development and Individual Development Accounts to help families and individuals save smarter. Promote Quality, Proven Programs CAAs are key partners in the Human Services Infrastructure (HSI), our customer-focused, integrated service delivery system proven to improve communities and empower individuals and families as they work toward better lives. Our Results Based Accountability (RBA) system measures and reports our agencies powerful outcomes for struggling individuals and families, and for our taxpayers. In 2015, the State must: Preserve the HSI keep empowering low-income individuals and families and improving communities by increasing their access to support services.

3 ABCD Access BCO CAANH CAAWC CRT HRA NOI TEAM TVCCA Promote HSI Helping Families in Crisis Connecticut must provide all children and families with equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of their situation. Utilizing our customer-focused, integrated service delivery system, the Human Services Infrastructure (HSI), our network of Agencies (CAAs) help lowincome individuals and families identify obstacles, promote family stability, create an infrastructure of support, and strengthen communities. CAAs play a key role in creating opportunities for Connecticut s low-income population to effectively combat the complex causes of poverty through proven safety net programs like HSI. Here are a few of the many areas in which we work. Children & Young Adults Preschool/after school activities Immunizations and medical care Sports, arts and social programs Youth employment programs Adults & Seniors Workforce development Financial literacy and asset building English as a Second Language (ESL) HIV/AIDS and substance abuse programs Mentor programs Re-entry and incarceration alternatives Senior nutrition and recreation Senior housing and transportation Families & Their Homes Holistic case management Fatherhood and motherhood programs Family counseling services Financial education Energy assistance and weatherization Keep empowering low-income individuals and families and improving communities by protecting and preserving critical funding to the CAAs Human Services Infrastructure (HSI).

4 ABCD Access BCO CAANH CAAWC CRT HRA NOI TEAM TVCCA Empowering Every Child Children are Connecticut s Future Connecticut s future depends on what we do today to prepare our children for the career opportunities of tomorrow. In 2013, 1 in 7 children lived in poverty in our state. We need to give each child an equitable chance to succeed. CAAs early childhood education programs help build solid foundations for children and their families. We must continue to advocate for public policies that promote equal access to academic success and help the entire family succeed. Giving Every Child a Head Start at Success Here are just a few examples of CAAs recent accomplishments for children and their families: 5,600+ children participated in preschool activities such as Head Start and after school programs. 4,400+ parents/ caregivers improved family functioning as a result of classes or supportive services. 8,900+ infants and children obtained immunizations, medical and dental care. 1,500 youth increased their academic, athletic or social skills by participating in after school programs. Keep empowering low-income individuals and families and improving communities by protecting and preserving critical funding to early childhood education programs.

5 ABCD Access BCO CAANH CAAWC CRT HRA NOI TEAM TVCCA Energy: Stopping Poverty Cold CEAP Saves Lives The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is our state s last resort when families home energy bills are more than they can afford. The need for home energy assistance continues to climb with each passing year. By season s end, well over 100,000 families across the state will have received energy assistance. With safety net programs like CEAP, families are able to cover their costly home energy bills giving them the opportunity to address other critical needs, rather than having to choose between them. Support Low-Income Discounted Utility Rates On average, our state s poorest families owe approximately $2,560 more in energy bills than they can afford to pay. When they do pay their bills, necessities such as medical and child care, mortgage bills, and even food are pushed aside as families try to avoid deadly freezing cold. Of the more than 115,000 households our CAAs screened for energy assistance eligibility during the season, more than 102,000 were found to be eligible. We encourage the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to continue its efforts for more equitable energy rates for our low-income customers. Keep empowering low-income individuals and families and improving communities by protecting and preserving critical funding to energy assistance.

6 ABCD Access BCO CAANH CAAWC CRT HRA NOI TEAM TVCCA Family Econonmic Empowerment: Asset Development Increase Family Economic Success Asset development strategies like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and our network s Individual Development Accounts (IDA) program, empower low-income families as they work toward greater economic security. We do not have a state Child Tax Credit (CTC), an essential tool that helps working families offset the high cost of providing basic needs for their children. Low-income families can utilize the federal CTC, but some states have modeled and created their own state CTC and CT should do the same. The Biggest Bang for Connecticut s Buck Investing in asset-building is proven to yield positive outcomes for low-income families, and owning assets helps break the generational cycle of poverty. In 2014, more than 6,900 Connecticut residents filed tax returns for free at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites These returns often go into Individual Development Accounts (IDAs), where they are matched to help buffer families from crisis and save smarter. More than 10,400 volunteer hours were donated, saving more than $1 million in tax preparation fees. Keep empowering low-income individuals and families and improving communities by protecting and preserving critical funding to Asset Development services like IDAs, the EITC, and a state CTC.