http://www.clasp.org/highlights/highlights.xml Featured Highlights from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) en-us Mon, 21 May 2012 10:08:26 -0500 info@clasp.org webmaster@clasp.org 40 Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/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 Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=child_care_and_early_education&id=0374 A new study from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) finds that the early reading skills of children from linguistically isolated households (those without any adult English speaker) can significantly improve with participation in a center-based care program the year before kindergarten. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=child_care_and_early_education&id=0374 Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/PTO-Paper-1-the-basics-FINAL-2.pdf CLASP and the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) have released a new report examining Paid Time Off banks and their prevalence. Nearly one in five employees in the United States receive leave in the form of a PTO bank, but the contours of such policies are often little understood, especially outside of the human resources community. This basic PTO primer is a first step in understanding PTO so that further questions and insights about PTO and low-wage workers and their employers can be explored. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/PTO-Paper-1-the-basics-FINAL-2.pdf Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues?type=work_life_and_job_quality Mother's Day unifies the nation as we all scurry to find the right Hallmark card, fancy flowers or some proverbial chocolates to honor she who labored us into this world. The treats, however, can't sweeten a bitter fact: our country, while touting that it values families, gives scant evidence of doing so, particularly when it comes to infants and their care. http://www.clasp.org/issues?type=work_life_and_job_quality Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=work_supports&id=0056 This week, the House Budget Committee debated and passed a harsh and unbalanced budget package that takes drastic measures to protect the defense budget-while making deep cuts to programs helping low-income working families and communities. The reconciliation bill is expected to make its way to the House floor for a vote this Thursday, May 10. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=work_supports&id=0056 Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=work_life_and_job_quality&id=0046 CLASP's implementation guide is a step toward helping employers understand the D.C. paid sick days law, but it is not a substitute for guidance and a public awareness campaign by the D.C. government. CLASP continues to urge the D.C. government to help businesses and workers understand the paid sick days law so that D.C. is a healthier and more productive place to live and work. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=work_life_and_job_quality&id=0046 Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=child_care_and_early_education&id=0372 Child care providers receiving government subsidies in Illinois have received notice that the state can no longer pay them for their services because the state has run out of money. Providers are told they can expect payment to resume at the start of the next fiscal year, July 1. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=child_care_and_early_education&id=0372 Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=basic_skills_and_workforce_training&id=0038 House Republicans and Democrats have introduced competing bills to reform a range of federal workforce programs, including the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). To help advocates and stakeholders, CLASP has prepared analyses of H.R. 4297 and H.R. 4227. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=basic_skills_and_workforce_training&id=0038 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=child_care_and_early_education&id=0370 A mere eight states ensure that poor babies get the number of developmental screenings recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) during their first year of life. Although more states (40) meet the recommended Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) screening schedule for children ages 1-2, the very first months of a child's life offer an incomparable opportunity to address potential adverse health conditions or developmental delays, as well as to provide critical supports to parents. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=child_care_and_early_education&id=0370 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=youth&id=0040 HR4297 - the Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012 would likely dismantle the current youth education, employment and training system for low-income and disconnected youth. The Campaign for Youth asks that you please consider signing on to a letter of support to preserve dedicated education, employment and training funding for low-income and disadvantaged youth. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=youth&id=0040 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/WIAYouthHR4297-Final.pdf On March 29, 2012, Rep. Virginia Foxx, Rep. Joseph J. Heck and Rep. Howard P. McKeon introduced a Workforce Investment Act (WIA) reauthorization bill (H.R. 4297). This analysis looks at the bill's youth provisions. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/WIAYouthHR4297-Final.pdf Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/Refocusing-Adult-Education.pdf Two proposals to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) are in the House of Representatives. Both proposals reflect a priority of greater alignment among adult education (Title II), workforce development (Title I), and postsecondary education, and both increase the focus on preparing adult students not just to earn a secondary school diploma but for college and careers. Despite these similarities, the bills differ across several dimensions. This analysis highlights key provisions in each bill that strengthen or weaken the overall goal of refocusing Title II on career and postsecondary success. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/Refocusing-Adult-Education.pdf Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=work_supports&id=0055 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/issues/in_focus?type=work_supports&id=0055 Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=civil_legal_assistance&id=0008 In the last year, it's unfortunately gotten much tougher for low-income individuals and families to access legal aid services as a result of Congress cutting funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) from $402 million to $348 million in FY 2012. The President wants this reversed. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=civil_legal_assistance&id=0008 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=work_supports&id=0054 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/issues/in_focus?type=work_supports&id=0054 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=child_welfare&id=0027 Tomorrow, the House Ways and Means Committee will consider a bill to eliminate the Social Service Block Grant (SSBG). This $1.7 billion flexible funding stream helps states provide a range of critical services to some of our nation's most vulnerable individuals, and is often used by states to fill gaps left by federal programs. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=child_welfare&id=0027 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=work_supports&id=0053 On Tax Day, much of the talk will be around the tax rate for wealthy Americans making over a million dollars a year. And a great deal will be written about the problems with our federal tax system, the need for simplification of the tax code, deficit reduction and whether and how we should address preferential treatment and tax credits. Often overlooked is the critical role in reducing poverty and improving the lives of low-income people of two tax credits: the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=work_supports&id=0053 Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/Wrong-Direction-for-WIA.pdf On March 29, 2012, Rep. Virginia Foxx, Rep. Joseph J. Heck and Rep. Howard P. McKeon introduced a Workforce Investment Act (WIA) reauthorization bill (H.R. 4297). The bill consolidates a number of national and state-administered workforce programs, including WIA adult, dislocated workers and youth, into a new Workforce Investment Fund that would be distributed by formula to states and local areas. It also creates two new competitive grant programs: Statewide Youth Challenge Grants and Statewide Grants for Adults with Barriers to Employment. http://www.clasp.org/admin/site/publications/files/Wrong-Direction-for-WIA.pdf Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/news_room/news_releases?id=0065 Following is a statement by Alan W. Houseman, executive director of CLASP, regarding the Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012 (S.2230), a bill introduced by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to implement the Buffett Rule. http://www.clasp.org/news_room/news_releases?id=0065 Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=work_supports&id=0052 The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a vital piece of the social safety net helping millions of struggling families across the country put food on the table; a new report by the US Department of Agriculture released on Monday reminds us why. "Alleviating Poverty in the United States: The Critical Role of SNAP Benefits" analyzes data from the last decade that demonstrates that SNAP significantly improves the well being of recipients. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=work_supports&id=0052