On Monday, August 16, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As a result, for the first time in more than 45 years, the Thrifty Food Plan is being updated, and the average SNAP benefit will increase for the
On Wednesday, August 18, the John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) webinar, Learn How Santa Clara County Got Over $135K to 45 Foster Youth in Need of Income During the Pandemic, shared the results of a pilot project with Santa Clara County Social Services Agency (SSA) and other local partners to increase foster youth utilization of
Last week the Senate completed action on a bipartisan infrastructure bill (HR 3684) and then moved a budget resolution that will allow for a budget reconciliation bill. The House leadership announced they would come back from the summer break to take up the resolution during the week of August 23, 2021. The infrastructure bill passed 69
Dear CWLA Champions: Please share this information with you clients, staff, and networks! If you’re a renter having trouble paying your rent, utilities, or other housing costs – or if you’re a landlord trying to stay afloat with tenants in this situation – help may be available. State and local programs are distributing billions of
A new GAO report: CHILD WELFARE Pandemic Posed Challenges, but also Created Opportunities for Agencies to Enhance Future Operations, includes the result of a survey of state and local child welfare agencies on the challenges of the past year. The challenges included child protective services, the legal system, providing support for families and workers in foster
In what is likely to be a long fall involving infrastructure, reconciliation, and appropriations, the Senate took its first significant steps late last week with the announcement of a bipartisan infrastructure deal. On late Wednesday, July 28, a deal to address the nation’s infrastructure was announced, and a vote to move forward on the still-developing
The House of Representatives moved on two significant bills last week that included funding for 9 of the 12 appropriations bills. The first “minibus” appropriations rolled together seven bills, including the appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (Labor-HHS), Agriculture, Energy and Water, Financial Services, Interior, Military Construction, and Transportation-Housing are rolled
The House is scheduled to take up a “minibus” appropriations for full debate and vote on the House floor. Called a minibus instead of an omnibus, the appropriations legislation rolls together seven bills, including the appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS). There are twelve appropriations bills, and the combining of
The Child Tax Credit, part of the American Rescue Plan, is here to help families raising children make ends meet. Experts estimate that the new Child Tax Credit has the potential to cut child poverty in half. We need your help to spread the word and raise awareness of this major tax relief for working families.
Families have started to receive their monthly payments of the expanded Child Tax Credit!! Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, families can receive up to $300 per month for children under the age of 6, and $250 per month for children ages 6-17. As state and local community-based organizations, you know how important these resources are