Advocacy & Public Policy
The Community Action Association of Pennsylvania advocates on behalf of their member Community Action Agencies as the agencies work locally to help Pennsylvania’s low-income families reach self-sufficiency.
We work within the public policy realm to provide information, guidance and assistance to state and federal departments. We work closely with the Pennsylvania Departments of Community and Economic Development (DCED), Public Welfare (DPW), Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and others.
CAAP also provides ongoing interaction with state and federal lawmakers.
Governor Corbett's FY2012 Budget Proposal
Governor Corbett released his FY2012 proposed budget on February 7, 2012. Below are a series of documents in relation to the budget address.
Governor Corbett's budget proposal speech
2012-13 Governor's Executive Budget
2012-13 Budget in Brief
2012-13 Proposed Budget Line-Item Appropriations
2012-13 Proposed Budget Slide Presentation
FY2012 PA State Budget Analysis
2012 Human Services Block Grant
The Corbett Administration and the Department of Public Welfare have proposed to combine seven seperate human service programs into one block grant - Human Service Development Block Grant. The programs affected, and their current level of funding are:
1. Mental Health Services Community Programs ($110,093,000)
2. Behavioral Health Services Initiative ($9,582,000)
3. Act 152 Drug and Alcohol Programs (Outpatient) ($2,945,000)
4. Intellectual Disabilities ($28,995,000)
5. County Child Welfare ($9,707,000)
6. Homeless Assistance ($4,110,000)
7. Human Services Development Fund ($2,991,000)
In addition to combining the programs into one block grant, the administration plans to reduce overall funding by 20 percent.
CAAP opposes the reduction of funds by 20 percent and is asking that the Human Services Development Fund (HSDF) be removed from the proposed block grant. Read CAAP's letter to DPW Secretary Alexander regarding HSDF and the block grant and the general assistance fund.
General Assistance Cash Grant
The Corbett Administration and the Department of Public Welfare have proposed to eliminate the General Assistance cash grant fund (GA) in FY2012. GA provides temporary aid of $205 a month to 68,000 Pennsylvanians who are disabled, caring for a disabled person or victims of domestic violence.
CAAP opposes the the elimination of GA and advocating for full restoration of funds. Read CAAP's letter to DPW Secretary Alexander regarding GA and HSDF.
Public Policy Resources
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Directives
NEW ! Proposed 2012 CSBG Directives
2012-01 Administrative Procedures for CSBG Grants
2012-02 Governing Boards
2012-03 Administrative Boards
2012-04 Amendments and Modifications
2012-05 Fidelity Bonding Requirements Payment Processess Check Signing
2012-06 Property Inventory Control Procedures Disposition of Property Purchased With CSBG Funds
2012-07 CSBG Program Invoicing
2012-08 Income Eligibility Determination
2012-09 Income Eligibility Guidelines
2012-10 ROMA and Recommended Training
2012-11 Reporting Requirements
2012-12 Monitoring Procedures
2012-13 Sole Source Contracts
2012-14 Vehicle Purchase and Title
2012-15 Definition of Allowable Direct and Administrative Costs
2012-16 Charitable Choice Provisions
2012-17 Contract Waivers
Current active CSBG Directives
2007 CSBG Directives Table of Contents
2007-01 Administrative Procedures for CSBG Grants
2007-02 Governing Boards New
2007-03 Administrative Boards
2007-04 Amendments and Modifications
2007-05 Fidelity Bonding Requirement Payment Processes Check Signing Procedures
2007-06 Property Inventory Control Procedures Disposition of Property Purchased with CSBG Funds
2010-07 Invoicing
2007-08 Income Eligibility Determination
2007-10 Results Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA)
2007-12 Monitoring Procedures
2007-13 Sole Source Contracts 2
2007-15 Vehicle Purchase and Title
2007-16 Definition of Allowable Direct and Administrative Costs
2007-17 Charitable Choice Provisions
2007-18 Contract Waivers
2010-14 Travel and Subsistence
2011-09 Income Eligibility Guidelines
2011-11 CSBG