By Tom Easter
May 10, 2004

Human services administrators and directors for local social service programs gathered in Washington (DC) for the 28th Annual Meeting of City Human Services Officials to discuss the challenges facing today's working families. Those attending heard from federal and congressional officials on policies that might affect the families, particularly the most vulnerable populations. The meeting was sponsored by the United States Conference of City Human Services Officials, an affiliate organization of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and was held in partnership with The Conference of Mayors' Working Families Initiative funded by The Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Through this partnership the human services officials exchange best practices and information on how to provide more comprehensive and relevant services with less resources and funding. Joining the human services officials were mayors interested in sharing their concerns regarding the challenges of the working families. The mayors included Conference Vice President Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic, Children, Health, and Human Services Standing Committee Chair Richmond (CA) Mayor Irma Anderson, Warwick (RI) Mayor Scott Avedisian, and Mount Vernon (NY) Mayor Ernest Davis.

Kelly Cowles, Program Manager for the Compassion Capital Fund, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, discussed how cities could utilize the funding provided by the newly created Compassion Capital Fund. She announced the availability of two types of $50,000 grants available through the fund to intermediary organizations as well as to small faith-based and community organizations. These grants are targeted to smaller organizations that do not have the infrastructure or size to receive larger government grants.

Grant E. Collins, II, Chief of Staff of the Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services gave the group an update on the Earned Income Tax Credit and efforts being made to ensure that low income families are taking advantage of the credit. "As many as 60 percent of eligible credit recipients either don-t know about or have not applied for the credit. We want everyone that is eligible to receive the EITC to get it," said Grant.

Ellen Teller, Director of Government Affairs, Food Research Action Committee, explained the current changes to within the child nutrition reauthorization bill. "Teenage girls participating in the Federal Nutrition Program are less likely to be obese," said Teller. She explained the need for out-of'school programs for children that focus on healthy meals. Teller also discussed the need to keep new child-nutrition bills free of unrelated add-ons, so as to insure expeditious travel through the House and the Senate. During her presentation on child welfare, MaryLee Allen, Director of Child Welfare and Mental Health for the Children's Defense Fund discussed child-care and child welfare initiatives as well as the increased flexibility afforded by block grants.

Tulsa (OK) — "Jump Start," Dan Arthrell, Director

Early childhood program called "Jump Start." This is a community mobilization for childhood development, so the jump'start is not just for the child but also the whole community that must support the development of a child. It took a shot at welfare reform because it has hurt folks that were using welfare to get ahead. It also took a shot at some of the car dealers that use usurious rates for car rates for low-income people.

Baton Rouge (LA) - "Perfecting Case Management," Leona Johnson, Director

Consolidated city-county (parish) government. The city found that the biggest obstacle for working families was the local government. "We did not tell folks the number of other services that they were eligible to receive." The city/county developed a software program that now tells folks what programs exist and which program a person is eligible for. The city has used automation to provide a holistic approach to meeting people's needs.

Please refer to the website www.usmayors.org/humanservices to view other Best Practices that were submitted during this meeting. For more information on The Annie E. Casey Foundation partnership activities please go to usmayors.org.