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Bill to Preserve Homes and Communities Introduced
On September 30, Senator Jack Reed introduced "The Preserving Homes and Communities Act of 2009" (S. 1731). The bill aims to reduce homelessness by providing resources to help at-risk homeowners as well as directing $1 billion to capitalize the National Housing Trust Fund. (Open Congress). Read about the House bill, (H.R. 3766)»
Fund the National Housing Trust Fund»
Nutrition Assistance Bill Passes Senate
Recently the U.S. Senate passed a billion spending bill (H.R. 2997) that provides funding for Agriculture programs. A few highlights: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was funded at $58.3 billion; The WIC program received $7.3 billion in funding; and $49.9 million in funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program. (Open Congress). Read more about the bill»
Negotiations Set to Merge Senate Health Care Reform Bills
On October 13, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee approved legislation to reform the nation's health care system. Formal negotiations led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will now take place to merge the Senate Finance bill with the Senate HELP bill. As we have reported, many differences exist between the two bills, including the presence or absence of a public option and an employer mandate to provide health insurance. Leaders are hoping to bring the final health reform bill to the Senate floor next week. The House is also working behind the scenes to merge versions of its health reform bill, H.R. 3200. (Senate Finance Committee). Read more»
Social Security Beneficiaries Receive No Cost-Of-Living Adjustment
Consumer Price Index data shows that Social Security beneficiaries will not receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in January - the first time that has happened since automatic COLAs began in 1975. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, If policymakers choose to act they should grant a flat, one-time payment as an economic stimulus measure rather than an across-the-board percentage increase that undermines the mechanics and purpose of Social Security’s indexing provisions. Read more»
School Districts Promote Family Engagement
The Harvard Family Research Project and the National Parent-Teacher Association have a new brief that examines the role of school districts in promoting family engagement. It spotlights how six school districts across the country have used innovative strategies to create and sustain family engagement “systems at work”. The report’s findings point to three core components of these successful systems: creating district-wide strategies, building school capacity, and reaching out to and engaging families. Read more»
Exposure to Violence Has Long-Term Effects on Children
The National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence surveyed more than 4,500 children or their parents or adult caregivers regarding their past-year and lifetime exposure to violence. This Bulletin discusses how exposure to violence changes as children grow up, and the prevalence and incidence of multiple and cumulative exposures to violence. It also discusses the implications of the survey findings for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners who work with juvenile victims of violence. (OJJDP). Read more»
Job Sharing Tax Credits Prevent Layoffs
A new CEPR Brief describes a job sharing tax credit, designed to provide a quick and substantial boost to the economy. The tax credit would allow firms to shorten the typical workweek for each employee while keeping pay constant. This should cause employers to want to hire additional workers with an estimated effect of between 1.3 and 2.7 million jobs created. Read more»
States Strive to Prevent Childhood Obesity
This report from the National Governors Association explores actions states are taking to prevent obesity and encourage kids to eat healthier and be more active in child care, school, community and health care settings. Read report»
Income Poverty Measures Differ Over Time
A new paper from the Harris School of Public Policy Studies examines poverty rates and poverty gaps from 1960 through 2005 and how they differ across family types and different income poverty measures. The report found that moving from the official pre-tax money income measure to a disposable income measure that includes taxes and transfers has a substantial effect on poverty rate changes in the past two decades. Click here»
Economic Recessions Leave Long-Term Effects on Families
A new report examines consequences of recessions such as high unemployment and falling incomes, and their long-term effects on families. It presents evidence of negative consequences for educational achievement, private investment and business formation. Unemployment and loss of income, for example, can threaten nutrition, which affects early childhood learning. (EPI). Read report»
Affordable Housing Near Transit Benefits Older Americans
A new report from AARP analyzes 20 metropolitan areas and the availability of affordable housing that is located near public transit. It provides an in-depth look at the challenges and benefits of affordable housing for American 50 and older. With more than two-thirds of federal housing subsidies set to expire within five years, the report provides recommendations for federal, state and local policymakers to ensure affordable and transit-accessible housing for older Americans. Read report»
Successful Reintegration Key for Ex-Offenders’ Success
The U.S. Department of Justice states that nearly every person incarcerated in jail will someday be released. The financial impact on communities is significant when ex-offenders return to their communities, cannot find employment, violate their probation or parole, and are then returned to jail or prison. This brief discusses the barriers to re-entry; the challenges ex-offenders face in their communities; legal barriers to successful integration and federal and state policy recommendations for social service providers. (Goodwill Industries). Read more»
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