Human Services
Covering topics such as affordable housing, food security and child services.
A new city office focused on homeless services has given a boost to programs to help the unhoused in New Orleans.
Margaret Nimno, chief engagement officer for enCircle, referring to budget cuts to West Virginia's services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Despite an ongoing federal investigation into the state's treatment of people with disabilities, an amendment on the final night of the session cut spending. (West Virginia Watch — March 12, 2024)
Maryland students are already allowed to carry the drug to combat opioid overdoses, which are spiking among young people. A bill would set standards and outline expectations for students.
Last year, the city gave a lease to a homeless encampment. Although that created some autonomy, it certainly didn't solve the problems faced by its residents.
Lawmakers hope grant and loan programs can help small towns keep their markets open.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued warning letters to 32 states and two territories that were behind on processing resident applications for SNAP benefits. The backlog of applications leave many residents without food access.
Fifteen states are not participating in a program to provide meals to school-age children over the summer, due to administrative costs or ideological opposition.
In 2022, the state raised the income eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from 165 percent of the federal poverty income to 200 percent, expanding the eligible population by 420,000 residents.
Dozens of cities are running pilot programs to show that direct cash assistance is an effective way to address poverty. Critics warn that offering money without work requirements or any strings attached will backfire.
The state has not yet signed up for a federal program that would help feed 2 million children who receive free or reduced-cost school lunches over the summer. State officials expect their own funds to be sufficient.
Chicago is pondering city-owned grocery stores in its poor neighborhoods. It might be a worthwhile experiment.
Investing in poor neighborhoods or dispersing the poor citywide each have their proponents. But place-based strategies — improving neighborhoods — may be our only feasible option.
More than 12,000 state residents who applied or attempted to recertify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps, are still awaiting for their benefits to be processed months later.
Getting everybody housed requires multiple systems to work together, tapping the collective power of state, local and federal policymakers supported by the faith community, the business sector and philanthropy.
An audit from earlier this year found that, across 46 states, state agencies failed to report an estimated 34,000 cases of missing foster kids, including children who ran away multiple times.
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