http://www.clasp.org/experts/highlights.xml?id=0013 Resources & Publications from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) en-us Sat, 25 May 2013 11:09:05 -0500 info@clasp.org webmaster@clasp.org 40 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 /resources_and_publications/publication?id=1242&list=publications The Work Supports Newsletter is a monthly update that summarizes CLASP's work on safety net programs that include cash assistance (TANF), nutrition supports (SNAP), refundable tax credits, health insurance, child support enforcement and child care subsidies. http://www.clasp.org/resources_and_publications/publication?id=1242&list=publications Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 /admin/site/publications/files/CLASP-Comments-on-Education-and-Family-Tax-Benefits-4-15-2013.pdf CLASP submits comments on family and education tax credits to the Education and Family Benefits Working Group, House Committee on Ways and Means as part of the committee's work to review possible changes to the federal income tax system. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/CLASP-Comments-on-Education-and-Family-Tax-Benefits-4-15-2013.pdf Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500 /resources_and_publications/publication?id=1229&list=publications The Work Supports Newsletter is a monthly update that summarizes CLASP's work on safety net programs that include cash assistance (TANF), nutrition supports (SNAP), refundable tax credits, health insurance, child support enforcement and child care subsidies. http://www.clasp.org/resources_and_publications/publication?id=1229&list=publications Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500 /postsecondary/publication?id=0762&list=publications This toolkit is designed to help interagency state teams identify and facilitate "braiding" of federal resources to design and develop career pathways and bridges into them for adults and out-of-school youth. The toolkit also will help state teams identify state policy barriers to using federal resources for career pathways and bridges and, ideally, address them. http://www.clasp.org/postsecondary/publication?id=0762&list=publications Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500 /resources_and_publications/publication?id=1239&list=publications A new paper from the National Transitional Jobs Network and CLASP provides strategies and makes recommendations on leveraging and blending multiple sources of funding to support subsidized employment programs. In addition to highlighting the opportunities to use block grant funding, from both TANF and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the paper identifies efforts to fund these jobs by averting future expenses associated with prisons and other corrections measures and by leveraging public contracting and bidding opportunities. The webinar is also available. http://www.clasp.org/resources_and_publications/publication?id=1239&list=publications Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500 /admin/site/publications/files/A-Guide-for-HPOG-Programs-March-2013-Final.pdf Healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors in our economy, and there are many jobs in this sector that require fewer than 4 years of college education, have high demand, and offer good pay. However, low-income workers often face barriers to accessing the education and training they need to enter these jobs, including lack of information, poor basic skills, confusing and poorly aligned training programs, cost of training, and need for supportive services, such as child care and transportation. The Heath Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG), authorized by section 5507 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA; Public Law 111-148), address this issue by supporting models for providing education, training, and support services to enable recipients of cash assistance under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and other low-income individuals to obtain well-paying jobs in high-demand healthcare occupations. The HPOG program is one of several provisions of ACA aimed at supporting training for the healthcare workforce of the future. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/A-Guide-for-HPOG-Programs-March-2013-Final.pdf Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0600 /admin/site/publications/files/CLASP-WM-Testimony-TANF-Work-Feb-2013.pdf This is the testimony that Elizabeth Lower-Basch delivered before the Ways and Means Human Resource Subcommittee regarding TANF Work Requirements and Waivers. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/CLASP-WM-Testimony-TANF-Work-Feb-2013.pdf Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0600 /admin/site/publications/files/TANF-Reauthorization-Goals.pdf This updated Policy Brief argues that poverty alleviation and prevention of material hardship and creation of effective pathways to economic opportunity should be the goals of TANF reauthorization and recommends program changes that would more effectively promote these goals. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/TANF-Reauthorization-Goals.pdf Mon, 01 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500 /admin/site/publications/files/Helping-TANF-Recipients-Overcome-Addiction.pdf This brief aims to provide updated information on the range of state policies and highlights some of the promising approaches that states are using to address substance abuse by TANF recipients. It is based primarily on a recent CLASP-commissioned survey conducted by students at George Washington's School of Public Policy, as well as interviews they conducted with state TANF program administrators. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/Helping-TANF-Recipients-Overcome-Addiction.pdf Mon, 01 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500 /admin/site/publications/files/520.pdf Updated October 2012. Legislators in a number of states have proposed to test all TANF recipients for drug use. This updated brief explains that random drug testing may be unconstitutional, and is a costly and ineffective way to identify individuals in need of substance abuse treatment. Screening, targeted testing programs, and enhanced treatment options are a better approach to helping TANF families affected by substance abuse. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/520.pdf Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0500 /resources_and_publications/publication?id=1141&list=publications On Wednesday, the Senate approved a one-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts for those making under $250,000 a year -- 98 percent of all Americans. The passage of the Middle Class Tax Cut Act (S.3412) marks a significant step toward the principle of a balanced approach to deficit reduction, with new revenues as well as spending cuts. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, the bill would save the U.S. nearly $1 trillion over 10 years. http://www.clasp.org/resources_and_publications/publication?id=1141&list=publications Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0500 /admin/site/publications/files/CLASP-Testimony-on-Work-Incentives.pdf CLASP submitted Testimony for the Record for the House Ways and Means Committee's hearing on work incentives in low-income support programs. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/CLASP-Testimony-on-Work-Incentives.pdf Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500 /admin/site/publications/files/CLASP-comments-to-HHS-on-EBT-blocking.pdf A new law requires states to restrict access to TANF assistance from ATMs and POS devices in certain locations. This document responds to HHS' request for comments on how to implement this provision. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/CLASP-comments-to-HHS-on-EBT-blocking.pdf Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500 /admin/site/publications/files/Moving-to-21st-Century-Public-Benefits.pdf Currently, millions of needy individuals and families do not receive some or all of the benefits for which they are eligible. In many cases, this is due to the complicated and burdensome processes involved in demonstrating that an applicant has met all eligibility requirements and in recertifying this information on a regular basis. Written for the Coalition for Access and Opportunity, this paper illustrates how sharing data and basing eligibility decisions on existing information can cut administrative costs, help more families in need of assistance access benefits and strengthen programs. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/Moving-to-21st-Century-Public-Benefits.pdf Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500 /admin/site/publications/files/CLASP-Ways-and-Means-State-Spending-and-WPR-May-2012.pdf CLASP submitted Testimony for the Record for the House Ways and Means Committee's hearing on State TANF Spending and its Impact on Work Requirements. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/CLASP-Ways-and-Means-State-Spending-and-WPR-May-2012.pdf Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 /resources_and_publications/publication?id=1118&list=publications The Senate Agriculture Committee has released draft language for the 2012 Farm Bill, which it will begin "marking-up" in a hearing this Wednesday. This bill, typically passed every five years, sets national policy and funding direction for agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry programs. http://www.clasp.org/resources_and_publications/publication?id=1118&list=publications Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 /resources_and_publications/publication?id=1134&list=publications Yesterday, the Budget Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives held a hearing that was titled "Strengthening the Safety Net" but was really about Chairman Ryan's proposals to cut billions of dollars from safety net programs, including converting both Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) into block grants. http://www.clasp.org/resources_and_publications/publication?id=1134&list=publications Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 /resources_and_publications/publication?id=1085&list=publications Programs that provide health care and food assistance are squarely in the cross sights of the proposed Fiscal Year 2013 budget released Tuesday by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan. His proposal singles out Medicaid and SNAP for cuts by converting them into block grants. Other domestic programs would also have to be slashed to achieve his proposed spending levels. http://www.clasp.org/resources_and_publications/publication?id=1085&list=publications Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0600 /resources_and_publications/publication?id=1079&list=publications Twenty-three states around the country are considering requiring drug tests for recipients of programs like welfare (TANF) and food stamps. Elizabeth Lower-Basch discusses which states are proposing these tests and why she believes that they are unnecessary. http://www.clasp.org/resources_and_publications/publication?id=1079&list=publications Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0600 /resources_and_publications/publication?id=1080&list=publications President Obama's budget blueprint released Monday lays out spending priorities for the nation. The proposal calls for Congress to support employment and job training opportunities for unemployed workers through the Pathways Back to Work Fund. This proposal indicates that the president recognizes that the economic recovery must be inclusive to be complete. http://www.clasp.org/resources_and_publications/publication?id=1080&list=publications