One Voice Central Texas Public Policy Committee
March 22nd Highlights
Participants: Meg Poag, Parc Smith, Jody Hopkins, Michael Goldstein, Isabelle Headrick, Paul Scott, Amy Loar, Mary Dodd, Ann Howard, and Angela Atwood.
Update Items:
· CHA/CHIP – there will be a presentation on CHA/CHIP and how One Voice members can be engaged at the April members meeting
· Payday Lending – the Coalition will provide surveys and information for clients that will be used to prepare for the legislative session. Amy will bring copies once they are complete and should be ready to present at the April members meeting.
Action Items:
· Affordable Housing: Based on the presentation by Isabelle, the committee voted to recommend to membership that One Voice support the $110 million recommendation that came from the Housing Bond sub-committee. The recommendation will now go to the full Bond Advisory Committee and then the City Council. The Public Policy Committee will also encourage members to attend the community forums on the Housing Bonds and share the need their clients experience for affordable housing. Information related to waiting lists or clients turned away and personal client stories will be especially helpful.
· Payday Lending: members voted to endorse the information included on the payday lending flyers and suggested that the Payday lending coalition is connected with the local financial literacy coalition (if they are not already connected).
· School Readiness Plan: Meg reviewed the highlights of the school readiness plan which is the result of many community partners over several months. Public Policy members voted to forward to the membership meeting with a recommendation that members review it and provide comments and that One Voice endorses it (providing no dealbreaker comments). It was suggested that the plan is shared with HACA representatives.
· Updated the Public Policy plan (see below)
At the February meeting, the Public Policy Committee members discussed potential priorities for 2012. Results are below:
Criteria for determining priorities, must meet at least one of the criteria below:
1. Supports the health and human services continuum
2. Provides maximum benefit to clients
3. Increases access to services
4. Strengthens the nonprofit sector
Process for addressing Public Policy issues:
1. Bring to Public Policy Committee
2. Take to Executive Committee
3. Bring to full membership
Note: At times when expedient action needs to be taken, the Executive Committee has been authorized to make decisions on behalf of the membership.
Issue / Priority level / Area of focused action or liaison / Persons interested in serving as lead/collaboratorsCHA/CHIP
· Participate in outreach
· Understand social determinants of health
· Ensure human services stays a focus / 6 stars / Focused attention / Paul Scott – serves as Co-Chair of outreach committee
Impact of State and Federal Cuts on local services / 5 stars / Focused attention / Michael Goldstein
Impact of Growth on Social Services
· Explore the impacts of changes of demographics on social service agencies and arrange session for full members / 3 stars / Liaison / Mary Dodd will keep members informed about the “Policy Palooza” scheduled for the end of May which will focus on demographics
Housing stability
· Support the housing bond / 2 stars / Liaison
- resolution supporting $110 million
- Provide public input at Bond workshops / Isabelle & Ann Howard agreed to serve as a liaison & connect with HousingWorks
Civic Engagement
· Increase voter turnout
· Develop grassroots leadership
· Review impact of single member districts / 2 stars
Legislative agenda & strategy / 1 star / - Review One Voice Houston agenda (August)
- Have speakers, possibly Jason Sabo or Don Baylor
- Aug/September have priorities defined
- Identify connections with Hays, Bastrop, & Williamson counties / Paul and Michael with Exec
Parc will ID a rep from Bastrop
Payday lending / No stars but an already agreed OV prioritity / - Provide surveys to members and encourage completion / Amy Temperley
Others mentioned
Food sustainability
–encourage applications to the Sustainable Food Policy Board
- other actions / Kathy from the food bank will serve as a liaison
Impact of Healthcare reform
- essential benefits
- services
- impact on nonprofit staff and services / Liaison / Partner with Engage Texas & St David’s Foundation
Community planning and vision for health and human services investment
Poverty Forum
Candidate forums or Post-election meet & greet?
Other areas previously addressed
Transportation / Dan Pruett & Suki
Austin Energy / Maintain pressure to increase CAP program
Meet with Public Officials / Create outreach strategy
Public Policy Committee Goal: Identify and address public policy issues that impact One Voice Central Texas members and the clients that they serve
Reason for Committee: Public policy can provide great benefit for One Voice members and their clients. The Public Policy Committee takes a proactive approach so that it can initiate, assess and respond in a manner that benefits One Voice members and their clients. It also serves as the vehicle for membership advocacy initiatives.
Criteria for One Voice Public Policy Statements:
Before One Voice creates a policy statement, it ensures that the policy meets at least one of the following criteria:
· Supports the continuum of care for health and human services
· Brings a maximum benefit to clients, with a special emphasis on increasing access to services
· Strengthens the non profit sector
Strategies for One Voice to conduct Public Policy Focus:
One Voice utilizes the following strategies in order to implement public policy recommendations:
· Raises awareness of the impact on clients and organizations of proposed policies
· Develops position papers as appropriate
· Serves as a resource for funding entities
· Partners with credible organizations, e.g., One Voice Houston, CPPP, United Ways of Texas, TANO, and CAN to move state and national public policy issues forward