Mothers of Hope Ultimate Family Reunion - Aug 6, 2011 Kalamazoo Spring Valley Park

Mothers of Hope Ultimate Family Reunion August 6, 2011

New America Foundation News - The Assets Report 2011

Colleagues,   Every year the Asset Building Program conducts an analysis of the federal budget to provide a more complete understanding of how the federal government encourages the accumulation of assets for families up and down the economic ladder. We seek to shine a light on what policy levers are deployed, who benefits from these programs and policy efforts, and how recent legislation potentially alters the landscape. In that pursuit, we present The Assets Report 2011, an assessment of federal policies and programs to promote asset building opportunities. Our analysis finds:    In Fiscal Year 2012, the President's budget proposes a total of $519 billion in resources to promote asset-building opportunities. This includes $46 billion in direct spending and $473 billion in subsidies delivered through the tax code.     The federal government will allocate $209 billion in resources to subsidize homeownership and $147 billion for retirement security. $57 billion will be devoted to post-secondary education, $357 million for entrepreneurship, and $106 billion to savings and investment activities.     The total tax subsidies for asset building in Fiscal Year 2012 are worth $473 billion, which overwhelmingly accrue to middle- and upper-income Americans.     Tax refunds, which are returned to many households after they file their taxes, represent a significant asset for many families. The combined value of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit is $65 billion, $46 billion of which are delivered as tax refunds.  By any account, these are substantial sums; however, the efficacy of these policies is less contingent on the scope of the resources being allocated as the scope of households who benefit from those resources. Those families with lower incomes and fewer resources receive a small fraction of the total resources in play, while those with higher earnings receive the lion's share. The release of this year's report coincides with the broader consideration of federal spending priorities in the context of deficit reduction. As Congress and the Administration discuss options for long-term fiscal reform, they should recognize that targeted policies which enable a greater degree of savings by those at the bottom of the economic ladder are investments that pay off down the line. Not only can these types of policies increase financial security of families still struggling to rebuild their balance sheets two years after the official end of the Great Recession but they can help families achieve economic mobility and invest in their future. We invite you to consult another of our publications, The Assets Agenda, for a fuller description of ideas on how to implement a more inclusive set of savings and asset-building policies to benefit all Americans, but especially those with lower-incomes and fewer resources. Sincerely,    Reid Cramer Director, Asset Building Program New America Foundation  www.NewAmerica.net

Transportation Equity Network News - Help Us Protect Passenger Rail

Help Us Protect Passenger Rail This week, Congressman John Mica, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced a draft bill, the Competition for Intercity Passenger Rail in America Act of 2011.  This bill privatizes Amtrak service in the Northeast Corridor, weakens Amtrak service in the rest of the country, and promotes privatization of the new high-speed and intercity rail program throughout the United States. Let your Member of Congress know that privatizing the rail programs in this country is unacceptable and that full funding of Amtrak and the high-speed and intercity rail program in FY 2012 will lead to the creation of thousands of new jobs in this country. Help us support passenger rail and job growth. Write your Member of Congress today. A Failed Concept We don't need to speculate about the possible effects of passenger rail privatization. Britain privatized its rail service in the early 1990's and the experiment has largely been a failure, leading to higher fares, increased costs, and little incentive to modernize infrastructure. The British government now spends more subsidizing a series of commerically unsuccessful rail operators than it did simply running the publicly-owned British Railways. Privatization of passenger rail in this country is unacceptable and we need to make that clear to Congress. Send a message today. Ask your Member of Congress to stand with Amtrak against privatization. Common-Sense Rules Unfortunately, privatization is a growing trend in cash-starved municipalities nationwide. With this in mind, Senator Dick Durbin has introduced a bill to help bring transparency and oversight to the sale of public transit systems and other infrastructure. The bill (Protecting Taxpayers in Transportation Asset Transfers Act S1230) would set important new precedents regarding the disclosure of anticipated effects on wages, employment and work rules. We at TEN applaud Senator Durbin's focus on worker protection and transparency and have signed a letter of support for this important legislation. Capitol Hill Updates We at TEN are pleased to announce a new resource designed to keep you informed about transportation issues being discussed in Washington. They're called Capitol Hill Updates and our second issue goes soon. Click here to sign up for future updates. Click here to read them on our website. Call for Papers The Transportation Research Board is looking for papers relating to the health impacts of transportation policies, procedures, and actions. Click here for more information. Employment Opportunity TEN affiliate United Congregations of Metro-East is looking for a Lead Organizer in the St. Louis area. Click here for more information. Follow Us on Twitter Join Us on Facebook

Transportation Equity Network 4501 Westminster Place, 3rd Floor St. Louis, MO 63108

FAMILY HEALTH CENTER ANNOUNCES OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR KALAMAZOO COUNTY HEALTH PLAN, PLAN B

A unique and rare opportunity for low-income uninsured residents to procure health coverage

Kalamazoo, MI - Family Health Center (FHC) is pleased to announce an open enrollment period for the Kalamazoo County Health Plan (KCHP), Plan B.

KCHP is a community sponsored program for low- income uninsured residents of Kalamazoo County who do not qualify for Medicaid, Medicare or have any other type of healthcare coverage. According to the 2009 Census, there are approximately 37,261 uninsured residents living in Kalamazoo County. Currently, approximately 1,500 of people are enrolled in KCHP, Plan B.

To be eligible for Plan B, a candidate must be a resident of Kalamazoo County, uninsured and have a household income under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (roughly $1,800/mo for a single-person household and $3,725 for a family of four (4)).

It is important to note that KCHP is primary health coverage, not health insurance, and that minimal co-pays are required. However, for many living without insurance and struggling to make ends meet, KCHP has created new access to quality, primary healthcare.

The Plan B Open Enrollment Period will begin immediately and will remain open until filled. It is estimated that between 200 and 250 people will be able to enroll during this enrollment period. Anyone may call 344-6168 to see if they qualify and to make an appointment to register.

The mission of FHC is to provide quality, comprehensive, primary healthcare to all people regardless of ability to pay. FHC is a community-based Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) which provides primary medical care, dental services and behavioral health care/counseling in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Medicaid is welcomed and a sliding fee scale based on income is available for anyone who is uninsured. There are six (6) locations in Kalamazoo County with the main office at 117 W. Paterson St. To make an appointment, please call 269.349.2641. You may also visit the website for additional general information at www.fhckzoo.com.

Michigan League for Human Services Releases Public Spending & Young Adults Report

From MLHS:  The latest Tax Dollars at Work: Public Spending for Selected Health and Social Programs in Michigan (pdf) report is now available. It outlines, by county, the amount spent on major health and social programs as well as the number of recipients.

It's invaluable information to have to understand the economic impact and needs of residents at a local level.

In addition, a new report from the Michigan League for Human Services and Demos finds that young adults in Michigan have lost major economic ground over the last four decades. The paper, Building Michigan's Future Middle Class: Addressing the Economic Challenges Facing Young Adults, (pdf) was released today at a policy forum on young adults.

Please go to www.milhs.org to see the press release and PowerPoint presentations from the four speakers.

St. Joseph County Only Event - Safe Kids Day June 25

Elder Rights Training in St. Joseph County June 21 1-4 pm

Register by June 17

Did you know that our seniors are the fastest growing population?

With that growing population also comes growing issues of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.  June 21^st has been declared Elder Rights Awareness Day in St. Joseph County.  As part of that awareness, I am proud to announce an Elder Rights Training for all interested persons, including the general public.  This training will be held on Wednesday, June 21 from 1-4 PM in the lower level of the SJC Courthouse. RSVP’s are necessary.

Agenda includes:  Guardianships, Estate Recovery Act, Adult Protective Services, Community Services, Police Intervention, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services and Public Protection Orders, Independent Living Services, and a panel discussion.

Presenters include the Honorable Judge Thomas Shumaker, Commissioner Rick Shaffer, attorney Mike Mestelle, Probate Registar Eva Sylvester, Ernie Riggs of DHS, Laura Sutter, Coordinator from the Area Agency on Aging, Lynn Coursey, Executive Director from the Commission on Aging, Captain Jason Bingaman of the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, and Mary Lynn Falbe, Director of Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services.

Space is limited.Again, RSVP’s are required and should be directed to me [Janice Reed] via phone (269) 467-1223 or email ReedJ4@michigan.gov by June 17^th. Hope to see you there!

Janice I. Reed
Collaboration Coordinator
St. Joseph County Human Services Commission