NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 10, 2010
Media Contact: Megan Crawford, United Way of Jasper County Executive Director
Iowa United Ways to seek support from legislators for early childhood system, TANF, and food assistance
Des Moines - A coalition of Iowa’s United Ways will request state legislators to pass several measures that aim to support hardworking families in an increasingly tough economy that continues to strain human services networks with an increase in basic needs. United Way is focusing on three key legislative recommendations for 2010.
Representatives of United Ways of Iowa will first ask legislators to maintain funding and ensure local control for Iowa’s early childhood system. Iowa’s early childhood system has already undergone significant cuts to programming vital to the development of Iowa’s children. United Ways believe additional cuts will negatively impact Iowa’s ability to provide safe and high quality early childhood programs. 74% of Iowa families with children under age 6 have all parents in the workforce, necessitating quality early childhood services for Iowa’s working families.
Legislators will also be asked to maximize federal funding for Temporary Assistance of Needy Families (TANF). Iowa is eligible for up to $65 million dollars in federal stimulus funding to help with TANF related expenses and United Way is prepared to mobilize community partners to indentify funds that can be utilized as a match to leverage federal funds. U.S. Congress will analyze how the additional TANF funds were used as an indicator of Iowa’s state needs in the reauthorization of the federal TANF legislation.
Thirdly, United Ways of Iowa representatives will ask legislators to enhance access to food assistance for Iowa’s families by adjusting eligibility criteria to draw down additional federal funding. Food assistance currently serves individuals and families earning up to 130% of the federal poverty level and United Way is proposing to extend the eligibility benefit to 160% of the federal poverty level and reducing certain asset limitations. Increasing this percentage could bring benefits to more than 26,000 additional Iowans and provide a direct infusion of cash into Iowa’s economy as for every $5 spent in food assistance, $9.20 is generated in local and state economic activity.
Representatives of United Ways of Iowa will meet with legislative leaders at the annual United Way Day on the Hill breakfast Wednesday, February 10, 7-9am in the State Capitol building, Legislative Dining Room. Megan Crawford, Executive Director of the United Way of Jasper County, will participate in this event.
The 32 United Ways in Iowa raise approximately $60 million dollars each year to improve lives in Iowa’s communities, supporting community based agencies that provide vital human services. The $250,000 appropriation by the Iowa Legislature and Governor in 2009 allowed United Way to improve the infrastructure of 2-1-1, the statewide health and human service information and referral service. United Way answered over 130,000 calls in 2009 with top needs identified as housing/shelter, income support, and food assistance.