Human Services

State Leaders, Others Package 32,000 Meals for Hungry in Alaska

Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 08:23 AM

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—Nearly 200 state leaders, guests and Alaska legislative staff helped pack 32,000 meals for the Alaska Food Bank during The Council of State Governments’ service project Aug. 13. The project—which began in 2010-11 during Tennessee Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris’ year as chair of CSG’s Southern Legislative Conference—grew this year to be part of Norris’ initiative as CSG national chair, “State Pathways to Prosperity.” The service project occurred on the final day of the joint CSG National and CSG West Annual Conference.

The State of our Children

Kelley Arnold

Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at 12:00 AM

Children often are a voiceless population, left to navigate the incredibly complex child welfare system—from family and juvenile courts to child protective services—depending on that system to provide the protection they need to survive and thrive. This workshop highlighted three state multibranch efforts to enhance services to children and families, provide protection for children and pave the way for future generations to escape cycles of violence, poverty and neglect.

Termination of Parental Rights for Rapists

CSG Committee on Suggested State Legislation

Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at 12:00 AM

The Act provides that a person convicted of rape in which a child was born as a result of the offense shall lose parental rights, visitation rights, and rights of inheritance with respect to that child; provides for an exception at the request of the mother, and provides that a court shall impose on obligation of child support against the offender unless waived by the mother and, if applicable, a public agency supporting the child.

Paul Ryan's Opportunity Grant Plan Would Give States More Flexibility, but at What Cost?

Adam Henken

Monday, August 4, 2014 at 09:53 AM

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan released a 73 page booklet last week detailing preliminary proposals for reducing poverty rates. If Chairman Ryan – who calls the proposals a “discussion draft” – is earnest about his intent to spark conversation he has so far been successful, drawing some predictably positive and negative reviews as well as – most interestingly – pragmatic responses to the policy nuances of his plan. Receiving the most fanfare is Ryan’s plan to delegate safety net planning to the states by combining 11 programs – including SNAP and TANF – into the Opportunity Grant and allowing states to use the money to best serve their constituents.

CSG Kicks Off State Pathways to Prosperity Initiative at Leadership Council Meeting

Adam Henken Pam Goins

Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at 10:21 AM

WASHINGTON, D.C.—When CSG’s 2014 chairman Mark Norris talks about the State Pathways to Prosperity initiative, he says “it’s something like awakening the sleeping giant.” Norris, the Tennessee Senate majority leader, spoke at The Council of State Governments 2014 Leadership Council meeting in June.

Missouri Moves to End Lifetime Food Stamp Ban for Drug Convictions

Debra Miller

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 01:34 PM

The Missouri House and Senate have both passed a bill that will lift the restriction on persons with drug felony convictions from receiving food stamps, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports. Missouri is one of the last nine states – with Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming – to...

Ohio, Wisconsin crack down on ‘re-homing’ of adopted children

Tim Anderson

Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 04:50 PM

In response to reports that adopted children were being placed in the care of abusive adults, Wisconsin legislators have adopted a first-in-the-nation measure that cracks down on a practice sometimes referred to as “re-homing.”

Maine Puts Photos on EBT Cards Despite Federal Warning

Debra Miller

Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 05:31 PM

Maine is moving ahead with its plan to put photos on the state’s electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards used for food stamps and cash assistance, according to the Bangor Daily News.

The state has started a voluntary pilot project in Bangor to test the program before full implementation in the summer. Letters went out to those using the cards, asking them to trade in their old...

Midwestern states consider testing welfare recipients for drugs; Kansas and Minnesota have laws on books

Kathryn Tormey

Friday, April 11, 2014 at 01:03 PM

April 2014 ~ Stateline Midwest

Since 1996, states have had the authority under federal law to require welfare recipients to undergo drug testing.In recent years, more and more legislatures have given serious consideration to using this authority, including a handful of states in the Midwest. Kansas and Minnesota are among the nine U.S. states with drug-testing laws already in place, and according to the Center for Law and Social Policy, at least 30 states considered bills last year (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and North Dakota among them).

Impact of Child Poverty on Educational Success

Pam Goins

Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 03:46 PM

Children continue to be the poorest age group in America. Child poverty remained at record high levels in 2012, with more than 1 in 5 children identified as poor. This poverty leads to student achievement gaps, reductions in readiness for school, increased absenteeism, and developmental delays. Poor children also are less likely to complete high school - limiting potential employability and economic success in the future, and leading to poverty as an adult.

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