Reduction in state food benefits for some immigrants begins in July

JUNE 27, 2012                                                                                     NO. 012 – 027

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Babs Roberts, DSHS Community Services Division Director, 360-725-4888

Kathy Spears, DSHS Public Affairs Media Relations Manager, 360-902-7893

Reduction in state food benefits for some immigrants begins in July

OLYMPIA – The benefit level for the state’s Food Assistance for Legal Immigrants Program will be in reduced by half beginning July 1. The reduction is a cost-saving measure to help balance the state budget during difficult economic times.

FAP provides benefits to legal immigrants who are not eligible for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Food Assistance for Legal Immigrants Program recipients receive the same amount of benefits as people in the federal program, but the state Legislature reset the state benefit at half the amount of the federal program benefit effective July 1.

DSHS has notified FAP recipients by mail of these changes, including the dollar amount of their changed benefit.

There is no change in benefits for people in the federal food assistance program, called SNAP.

Recipients of FAP who think they are eligible for SNAP should contact the Department of Social and Health Services at 1-877-501-2233 or visit their local DSHS Community Services Office.

DSHS offers two types of food assistance:

1.       Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also called Basic Food or food stamps)

2.       State Food Assistance Program for Legal Immigrants (FAP)

Examples of people who can qualify for SNAP include:

• People with a permanent resident card (green card) who are under 18.
• People who have had a permanent resident card (green card) for 5 years.
• Refugees
• People with a permanent resident card (green card), who have been honorably discharged from the U.S. military.

# # #

DSHS does not discriminate and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran’s status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.

Jennifer M. Gau

Department of Social and Health Services

Public Affairs

(360) 902-7829

jennifer.gau@dshs.wa.gov

Senate Passes Farm Bill -- so now what?

NWFBAG reflects on what happened and what's to come

After weeks of debate, the United States Senate has passed a Farm Bill – or “Food & Farm Bill,” as many believe it should be called. First enacted over 80 years ago as a New Deal program to aid struggling farmers and feed hungry Americans, the Farm Bill has since evolved into our nation's most influential piece of food and farming legislation. It sets and enforces the rules on what we eat, how much it costs, and under what conditions it is grown. The Senate's Bill, which passed Thursday, boasts $23 billion in deficit reduction as it blueprints our food system over the next five years. Let's take a closer look.

There is cause to celebrate, and this is largely thanks to the efforts of grassroots organizing and lobbying (including many of you!). The legislation eliminates direct payments to commodity farmers, which have been a blunt tool that overfund industrial, monocrop agriculture and disproportionately benefit the largest farms. Instead, there will be greater emphasis on need-based crop insurance, including more support for organic farms. Important to WA growers are increased Specialty Crop Block Grants – industry jargon meaning more money for fruits and veggies. The Senate voted to double funding for Community Food Project grants, which levy federal money for community-level food system development and currently support several of our ally organizations: Lettuce Link, Clean Greens, and Seattle Tilth.

A new local fruit and vegetable program called the Hunger-Free Community Incentive Grants offers $100 million over five years to increase purchases by SNAP (food stamp) customers at farmers markets and other healthy food retailers. Another program would introduce a five-state Farm-to-School pilot project. Summarily, the Senate's smorgasbord provides more support for rural economies, urban eaters’ access to healthy food, and equitable agricultural subsidies – all amidst a climate of funding cuts.

But there is also real reason to grieve, as the Senate Bill made significant chops to the SNAP program. It is deeply troubling to see $4.5 billion in cuts to SNAP at a time when a record 46 million Americans are enrolled in this program, which is one of the few federal safety nets that expands and contracts based on need. According to the Community Food Security Coalition, these cuts will reduce benefits to approximately half a million food insecure families by $90 a month. Also disappointing were the underfunding of the Outreach and Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers program and the failure of an amendment that would have required labeling for genetically engineered foods. Senator Parry Murray has acknowledged particular concern over the reduction of SNAP. Both Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell* were champions of economically stimulating and socially just Farm Bill reforms, and we encourage constituents to send their thanks.

What's next? Well, the food fight marches into the House of Representatives, where it must pass before Obama can sign it into law. The House had originally planned to mark-up the Bill next week, but this process has been delayed – and that is cause for concern. “Whether there is a 2012 Farm Bill or not will largely rest in the hands of the top House Republican leadership,” says the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. No Bill in 2012 might mean that funding levels from the 2008 Bill will continue, which are far less progressive than those proposed by the Senate yesterday. Worse still, with no 2012 Bill nor an extension of 2008’s version, all Farm Bill programs could be defunded until some relief measure was passed.

America is hungry for a Food & Farm Bill that addresses the real challenges facing everyone who eats. While the Senate's bill makes important strides towards a fairer food system, it continues to over fund surplus-oriented industrial agriculture. It does not adequately meet the needs of struggling farmers, workers and eaters -- both domestically and abroad. As we work to eliminate injustice in all its forms, we must continue to demand a better Bill. NWFBAG is developing a legislative agenda for the House session – whenever it happens – and we encourage you to stay tuned to our website or facebook page. And, of course, reply to this e-mail if you'd like to be involved in crafting this agenda!

In the meantime, you can Dine Out TODAY to support our efforts to organize for a healthier Farm Bill! On Monday, June 25 from 4-10pm, NWFBAG invites you to eat a meal at Local 360 in Belltown. A percentage of all checks will go towards our group's work to educate and advocate for good food for all.
*Not from WA? See how your Senators voted here

Northwest Harvest Advocates Update: Senate Farm Bill Cuts SNAP

Advocates Update Thursday, June 21       IN THIS ISSUE UPCOMING EVENTS Senate Farm Bill Cuts SNAP Take Action!   UPCOMING EVENTS    August 14, 2:30 - 4:30 pm Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition General Membership Meeting wsahnc.org     October 4 - 5 Washington Food Coalition Annual Conference     wafoodcoalition.org /conference-2012       Northwest Harvest PO Box 12272 Seattle, Washington 98102 800-722-6924 Your Weekly Action Alert Senate Farm Bill Cuts SNAP This week, the Senate passed a Farm Bill that preserves the structure of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) but cuts $4.5 billion from the program. Unfortunately, we can expect to see even deeper cuts to SNAP in the House version of the bill which will be discussed in committee next week.  Read more...      Take Action:   Thank you to each of you who called on Senators Cantwell and Murray to support the Gillibrand amendment that would have restored the billions of dollars cut from SNAP. Your calls were not in vain-we can be proud of our senators who voted for the amendment and therefore advocated for the protection of Washington's low-income families. We ask you to please take a moment to do two things: Please call or email Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell, thanking them for their support of SA 2156, the Gillibrand amendment. Senator Murray co-sponsored this amendment, taking a brave stand to be a leader on an otherwise highly contentious issue. Sen. Patty Murray: murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme Sen. Maria Cantwell:  cantwell.senate.gov/contact/for email form and cantwell.senate.gov/contact/office_locations.cfm for phone numbers    Please contact your U.S. Representative and ask them to protect and strengthen SNAP in the Farm Bill. You can personalize the following message: My name is ___________. I live in your district and work/volunteer at the ______________ (food bank/meal program.) I am calling about the Farm Bill. We hear stories on the news that our economy is recovering but we don't see that at our program. The lines of clients are long, their need is deep, and cuts to SNAP will only increase that need. Food stamps, unlike food banks, generate economic activity because they are used to buy food in stores, allowing grocers, farmers, transport, and warehouse businesses to create jobs. Food stamps keep families healthy so they can work and go to school while meeting the most basic of needs. I am proud of the work that my program does to feed the hungry, but we can't meet the need alone-we need a partnership between charitable giving and public assistance. Protect families-protect and strengthen SNAP. Find your U.S. Representative and their contact information here: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/  The mission of Northwest Harvest is to provide nutritious food to hungry people statewide in a manner that respects their dignity, while fighting to eliminate hunger. Our vision is that ample nutritious food is available to everyone in Washington state.

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Summer Meal Sites Opening Now

June 21, 2012 Connect families to summer meals   School is ending and summer meal programs will be starting!  OSPI trained more than 180 program sponsors across the state for summer 2012. WithinReach partners with OSPI to publicize summer meal programs all through the summer. Right now we have information about 714 sites across Washington and more will be added over the next few weeks:   Help us spread the word.  Families can find their closest meal site when they: Use the Summer Meals Search Tool that displays sponsor, site and meal information with online mapping tools Call the multilingual Family Food Hotline 1-888-4-FOOD-WA(1-888-436-6392)  Text FoodWA to 877-877 (NEW this year!) Dairy Council promotes summer meals on the radio   Special thanks to the Washington Dairy Council for their continuing support of the Summer Meals Program.  Radio ads playing across the state during the last three weeks of June will help families find a local site by advertising ParentHelp123.org and the Family Food Hotline. Expanded partnerships are getting the message out statewide   Working together, we are getting the word to communities across Washington: Northwest Harvest, Food Lifeline and Second Harvest Inland NW will distribute 50,000 summer meal cards through food banks across the state again this year. Washington Food Coalition encouraged their food bank network to publicize summer meals through regional hunger summits and newsletters. DSHS has published the Family Food Hotline on its homepage and is partnering with Children’s Alliance to distribute 30,000 info cards through Community Service Offices. WithinReach is partnering with the Department of Health to distribute 28,000 summer meals cards to WIC clinics. School’s Out Washington has been spreading the word about summer meals through their WA Afterschool Network and Feed Your Brain grantees. United Way of King County is sponsoring bus ads and recruiting volunteers to distribute summer meals door-hangers in King County neighborhoods. Keep kids coming to sites all Summer   Successful outreach helps make a successful meal program. Help feed more kids this summer - use flyers, press releases, public service announcements and more to tell families and service providers about local summer meal sites. Download/Print a summer meals flyer (English/Spanish) Order free summer meal rack cards to distribute Outreach tools and strategies More information about Summer Meals is available on the Resource Toolkit   NEW Summer Meals Widget from ParentHelp123.org   Help spread the word about summer meals by placing a widget on your organization's website. It's simple to use - type in a zip code and click the arrow to display a list of sites where kids and teens can access free meals and snacks in their communities.  Email Sue Waldin for a copy of the Widget's HTML Code Provide the code to staff who edit/maintain your website The WA Summer Meals Partnership sends periodic newsletters to keep statewide partners up-to-date on the latest information about the Summer Meals Program.  http://www.icontact-archive.com/C9ZecoQL5yw3xrxuUf8TXoPAMBshtPDe?w=4

WSDA Food Assistance Programs relocated to the Food Safety and Consumer Services Division

The Food Assistance Programs (FAP) relocated to a new division last year called the Agricultural Development & Assistance Division which is led by Assistant Director Betty Ramage. 

Given WSDA’s streamlining efforts and budget constraints, it was decided to eliminate the division.  All the programs that currently make up FAP (CSFP, EFAP and TEFAP) remain within FAP but will be under another division within WSDA.  It was recently decided that the Food Assistance Programs will be in the Food Safety and Consumer Services Division which is headed up by Assistant Director Kirk Robinson. The Department of Agriculture is dedicated to facilitating opportunities for farmers and emergency food providers to advance the excellent efforts being made to feed Washington’s hungry.   

Here is a letter from Kirk Robinson on the new change:

More about Kirk Robinson:

In 2003 Kirk joined Washington State Department of Agriculture as lead inspector for the LivestockNutrient Management Program. Since then he has continued his career at WSDA as Program Managerfor the Weights & Measures / Commission Merchants Programs and since November 2010 served as Assistant Director overseeing the Food Safety and Consumer Services Division. Prior to working for the state of Washington, Kirk worked for the Thurston Conservation District and was a dairy and crop farmer for 25 years. Kirk served on the Board of Directors of the Washington State Dairy Federation, served on the Ethics Committee with the Grays Harbor Community Hospital, and on the Board of Directors of the National Conference on Weights & Measures. He attended both Grays Harbor Community College and Evergreen State College and is a graduate of the Evans School of Public Affairs Executive Management Program. Kirk and his wife Ginny have four children and four grandchildren.

Breaking News: Senate Farm Bill Votes Today

Breaking News: Senate Farm Bill Votes Today A vote to table the SNAP block grant amendment offered by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) will be debated this morning and voted on today.  (A vote on a sugar amendment is the only other Farm Bill (S. 3240) vote scheduled.)  Meanwhile, The New York Times today editorialized against SNAP cuts and endorsed Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-NY) amendment to restore the SNAP $4.49 billion heat and eat cut.  Talking Points Against Paul Block Grant Amendment Among reasons to reject Paul Block Grant Amendment, it: would eliminate SNAP and replace it with a block grant with annual funding level permanently frozen at $45 billion, with no adjustment for increases in food prices or poverty.    would cut SNAP funding by $37 billion (45 percent) in FY 2013 and $322 billion over ten years, as estimated by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. would undermine ability of federal nutrition safety net to respond quickly and efficiently as need increases, whether due to economic downturn or natural disaster. would end the assurance of a basic level of nutrition for all low-income Americans. would risk diversion of funds to purposes other than nutrition purposes. would terminate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and Food Distribution Program in Indian Reservations (FDPIR), leaving to states how to serve the needs of food bank clients and needy American Indians out of a severely underfunded SNAP block grant. Background on Gillibrand Amendment Already joining Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) as cosponsors of the SNAP benefit restoration amendment are: Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Scott Brown (R-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-T), Patty Murray (D-WA), John Kerry (D-MA), Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). For information on the Gillibrand amendment to restore $4.49 billion in SNAP benefits, visit the Farm Bill section of FRAC's website. Feedback and Assistance Please report feedback from Senate offices and reach out for technical assistance on the Paul Amendment to eteller@frac.org or emelcher@frac.org.

Action Needed ASAP This Morning: 1) Call Senators ASAP this morning and urge a “Yes” vote on the motion to table the Paul block grant amendment. 2) Continue to urge Senators to cosponsor Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-NY) amendment to restore SNAP benefits.

Farm Bill Update—Negotiations Continue as Amendment to Block Grant SNAP Moves Forward

Farm Bill Update from Feeding America
As you may know, negotiations on the Farm Bill continue in the Senate.  While much remains uncertain at this moment, we wanted to update the network on the latest developments.  Here is what we know:
About 220 amendments have been proposed for the Senate Farm Bill.  As a result, Senate leadership and the Agriculture Committee continue to negotiate which amendments will be brought to the floor for a vote.  As of the morning of June 13, an agreement has yet to be reached, which could put a final vote on the Senate Farm Bill in jeopardy. 
While committee leadership continues to negotiate on an overall agreement on amendments, Majority Leader Reid moved to allow debate on two amendments. Today, the Senate will debate a commodity title amendment on sugar–of which we have no position—and a nutrition title amendment to block grant SNAP (Paul #2182)—which we strongly oppose.  For more information on the SNAP block grant amendment, click here.
While the Paul block grant amendment is expected to fail, it is important to demonstrate strong, bipartisan opposition in the Senate.  This proposal does have support in the House, so showing strong Senate opposition will send a clear message to the House.
As a result, we are focusing our efforts on key Senators that we believe we need to shore up their support or have an opportunity to persuade to oppose the amendment.  While the Feeding America DC team reaches out to the staff of these target Senators, we will activate the food banks serving those states to weigh-in to provide additional constituent pressure.  
This is a very fluid situation.  As the process unfolds, we may need to mobilize the full network to generate phone calls and emails to Senators.  However, because of the uncertainty surrounding what will happen next, we are focusing our immediate efforts on showing strong opposition to the proposal to block grant SNAP.  
While the Senate votes on these two amendments, committee leadership will continue to negotiate on a broader package of amendments.  If no agreement is reached, debate on the Farm Bill will close for now.  If an agreement is reached, debate will proceed, with a final vote likely within the next two weeks.
In the meantime, be on the lookout for another update as we learn more.  We understand this is a complicated and complex process, so if you have questions, please contact Brett Weisel at bweisel@feedingamerica.org.  And please let us know if you hear anything from your Senate offices. 

Feeding America | 35 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2000 | Chicago, IL 60601

Job Opportunity at WithinReach: Community Outreach Specialist /AmeriCorps

Position Title: Community Outreach Specialist /AmeriCorps – 4 positions available
Please note that this is a Volunteer with Stipend position, not full time employment.
WithinReach is a leading resource for family health in Washington State – working hard to ensure that all families in our state have access to needed health programs and information. With highly talented and dedicated staff, WithinReach is an innovative not-for-profit organization that strives for excellence in all it does.
Position Summary: Help to alleviate hunger and poverty in Western Washington by serving on WithinReach’s community outreach team as a part of the Bridge to Basics Program, a collaborative effort between WithinReach and the United Way of King County.
Work to increase food security by providing in-person Basic Food eligibility screenings, application assistance, and targeted community referrals to underserved and culturally diverse communities at food banks, job training centers, and libraries. Use iPad technology, assist eligible residents in applying for benefits on the spot; then support individuals throughout the application process by providing case management and follow-up services.
Additionally, train and supervise community members to volunteer with the Bridge to Basics program and reach out to their neighbors in need. Serve others while gaining valuable cultural competency, case management, and volunteer management skills as well as extensive exposure to social service programs and infrastructure.
Increase access to Basic Food by helping others navigate the application process promoting community health and well-being. Help us put food security back on the menu through direct client engagement, education, and empowerment.

Basic duties include:

• Providing information, referral and application assistance services to individuals and families throughout King County and Snohomish County, connecting them to the Basic Food (food stamps) program as well as other food, health and utility resources in the community.
  
• Approach and screen people at pre-determined outreach sites for program eligibility, guidance through the application process when necessary, and follow up and client advocacy.
  
• Collect and input data about participant food insecurity, eligibility and demographics.
  
• Recruit, train and supervise Bridge to Basics volunteers.
  

Outreach duties will be conducted in shifts at outreach sites organized through community partnerships. Each member will have two to four out-of-office outreach shifts per week. Data input, follow up and client advocacy will be conducted in office via phone or email.
Skills Needed:

• Excellent listening and communication skills
  
• Ability to work effectively with diverse clientele
  
• Approachable, with the ability to interview individuals to obtain information, assess client
  needs, and provide appropriate information and referrals
  
• High level of energy for off-site work, including the ability to carry equipment up to 25 pounds
  
• Reliable, with good time management and organizational skills
  
• Attention to detail
  
• Ability to use computer programs to accomplish tasks and to input client data proficiently
  
• Access to a car for daytime travel is strongly encouraged, valid driver’s license required
  
• Work experience with low-income populations in health care or human service field preferred
  
• Applicants who are fluent or bilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin),
  Russian, or Ukrainian are encouraged to apply
  
• Please note that various background checks will be submitted for all final applicants before the
  start of the position.
  Qualifications:
  
  • AA Degree or 2 years of equivalent educational background/experience.
    
  • Work experience with low-income populations in health care or human service field.
    
  • Knowledge of social service and health programs in Washington State, such as WIC, First Steps,
    Children’s Medical, etc. is very desirable.
    

To Apply: Follow the link and click “Apply Now!” https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=32879
Learn more:
Frequently Asked Questions about AmeriCorps:
http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/faq/index.asp
Learn more about the volunteer program with Bridge to Basics:
http://www.uwkc.org/ways-to-volunteer/ongoing-campaigns/bridge-to-basics/
Watch a video about the Bridge to Basics program, created by past AmeriCorps members:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id13mdrwQ4M&list=UUOGMAsHl5EiWrpCqZu5XwOQ&index=2&fe ature=plcp