Education

The recently released MA FY2014 budget proposal from the Senate Ways and Means Committee has come under fire from local organizations for the deep cuts made in social service, job training and self sufficiency programs aimed at empowering working families. Crittendon Women’s Union says the proposed budget “fails to make needed policy changes to critical programs and lacks adequate funding for important services” and urges people to take action and ask their State Senators to sign on as co-sponsors to six proposed amendments to fund self sufficiency programs in MA. Here is a complete breakdown of the amendments and who is sponsoring them: EDUCATION / TRAINING Pathways to Family Economic Self-Sufficiency Pilot Program (Pilot) House1 proposal: No funding House proposal: No funding SWM proposal: No funding Pathways to Family Economic Self-Sufficiency Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Donoghue (D-Lowell) Creates the Pilot and invests $2 million for the Pilot in an Outside Section to equip low-income families with the tools they need to achieve long-term economic security. To cosponsor this amendment Senate offices should call Keely Pearson at 617-722-1630.   Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (WCTF)(WFD 7002-1074) House 1 proposal: No funding House proposal: No funding SWM proposal: No funding WCTF Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Wolf (D-Harwich)  Funds WCTF (7002-2074) at $5million (through the consolidated budget surplus) to support employer-led training partnerships, aligned to the Commonwealth’s economic development strategy. Funds will provide skills development for unemployed persons to achieve jobs and career development. To cosponsor this amendment Senate offices should call Elysse Magnotto at617-722-1570.   Transportation Assistance for Families on Transitional aid to Families with Dependent Childern (TAFDC) (DTA 4401-1000) House 1 proposal: No transportation funding earmarked House proposal: No tranportation funding SWM proposal: $460,966, within the Employment Services Program (ESP) Transportation Assistance Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Spilka (D-Ahsland) Restores transportation assistance to $1million, within the ESP (DTA 4401-1000) to help families engage in work and/or education and training. To cosponsor this amendment Senate offices should call Marianne Conboy at 617-722-1640.    SHELTER AND HOUSING HomeBASE (DHCD 7004-0108) House 1 proposal: Insufficient language to protect families House proposal: Insufficient language to protect families SWM proposal: Insufficient language to protect families HomeBASE Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Eldridge (D-Acton) Makes necessary language changes to the HomeBASE program (DHCD 7004-0108) to help protect families. To cosponsor this amendment Senate offices should call Melissa Garlick at 617-722-1120.    Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Contract Language (DHCD 7004-0101) House 1 proposal: No contract language included House proposal: Language for 12-month contracts included SWM proposal: No contract language included. Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Contract Language Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Petruccelli (D- East Boston) Adds language to guarantee shelter providers receive 12-month contracts for FY14 (DHCD-7004-0101). Since FY2009, family shelter providers have had to operate on contracts of decreasing length. This amendment would offer the stability providers need to focuse on finding permanent housing for families in shelter. To cosponsor this amendment Senate offices should call Donna LoConte at 617-722-1634.   FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Caseworkers (DTA 4400-1100) House 1 proposal: $62.8 million House proposal: $61.1 million SWM proposal: $62.1 million DTA Caseworkers Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Barrett (D-Lexington) Funds the DTA caseworkers account at approximately $65.3 million (DTA 4400-1100) so DTA has the resources to hire more caseworkers to support families as they are making progress towards self-sufficiency. To cosponsor this amendement Senate offices should call Rosie Hunter at 617-722-1572.