Joe Diamond, E.D. of MASSCAP & Nancy Wagman, Research & KIDS Count Director at MassBudget join Good Trouble to give the historical context in equity here in the Commonwealth.
News
Read the latest MASSCAP news including network and agency news, policy and program updates, and opinion and advocacy pieces.
Program Aims to Provide Trauma-Informed Care Training for Early Educators
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
A program in Massachusetts aims to provide training on trauma-informed care for early educators.
Report: Pandemic Policies Reduce Poverty in Massachusetts
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
A new report shows financial supports made available in the pandemic have led to a direct reduction in poverty in Massachusetts.
New Report Looks at the Crossroads created by COVID-19
Lessons Learned to Help Families Moving Along the Road to Opportunity in Massachusetts
Financial assistance during the pandemic such as expanded unemployment benefits, expansion and extension of the child tax credit, and additional SNAP benefits all contributed to direct reductions in poverty and racial disparities.
MASSCAP and Berkshire Community Action Council Launch Annual Statewide Volunteer Free Tax Preparation Program that Aids Low Income Families
· Earned Income Tax Awareness Day ·
Today the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) along with Berkshire Community Action Council were joined by Congressman Richard Neal, Senator Adam Hinds, and Representative John Barrett III among others in kicking off this year’s tax season by launching the annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) as well as recognizing the importance of accessing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Tax-Prep Help Available for Low-to-Moderate-Income MA Families
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
With tax season underway, Massachusetts groups are raising awareness about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), an IRS-sponsored program to help people file their income taxes correctly and maximize their refunds.
Stay Warm This Winter with Fuel Assistance, Weatherization Programs
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
As cold weather moves in, agencies are working to make sure Massachusetts residents know how to apply for fuel assistance and weatherization, if they think they might struggle with their heating bills this winter.
MASSCAP, Community Action Agencies, MEDA Launch Annual Statewide Heating Help Awareness Campaign
A Focus on the Home Energy Assistance Program
MASSCAP, along with Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC), the network of Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Energy Directors Association (MEDA), will launch its annual statewide awareness campaign to ensure that vulnerable Massachusetts families are able to keep safe, warm and healthy this winter.
Affordable Child Care Helps MA Families Get Back to Work
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
With the school year in full swing for Massachusetts K-through-12 students, many parents are seeking early-childhood education and care for their younger kids.
Gov. Baker Urged to Commit to Anti-Poverty Efforts in State Budget
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
Community Action Agencies applauded the Massachusetts General Court for its commitments to anti-poverty efforts in the 2022 state budget, and urged Gov.
Funding “Critical” for MA Anti-Poverty Efforts, Post Pandemic
As reported by Lily Bohlke, Public News Service:
Community Action Agencies say $5 million in the House version of the Massachusetts state budget next year would go a long way toward helping the most vulnerable communities recover from the pandemic.
MASSCAP and Community Action Agencies Launch Annual Volunteer Free Tax Preparation Program that Aids Low Income Families
· Earned Income Tax Awareness Day ·
Today the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) along with the 23 Community Action Agencies in the state were joined by Congressman Richard Neal, and Senator Jo Comerford, Representative Natalie Blais among others in kicking off this year’s tax season by launching the annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) as well as recognizing the importance of accessing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
MASSCAP, Community Action Agencies, MEDA Launch Annual Statewide Heating Help Awareness Campaign
A Focus on Fuel Assistance and Weatherization
MASSCAP, along with Action Inc., the network of Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Energy Directors Association (MEDA), will launch its annual statewide awareness campaign to ensure that vulnerable Massachusetts families are able to keep safe, warm and healthy this winter.
Join Us: Statewide Heating Help Kickoff
Where: Livestream on MASSCAP YouTube Channel
When: October 23, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
SPEAKERS:
Senator Bruce Tarr
Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante
Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken
Peggy Hegarty-Steck, Executive Director, Action Inc.
Community Action Agencies Partner with Code for America to Offer Virtual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
MASSCAP and Boston Tax Coalition Launch Pilot
Preparing and filing tax returns bring everyone stress annually, especially those living with low incomes, and especially during a time of crisis when it is harder to access services.
Statement on Racial Injustice
Affirming our Core Values
Community Action has always stood for and advanced the promise of equal opportunity for all. The horrific death of George Floyd this past week brings into sharp focus how far we have to go as a society to address the social and economic inequality that persist as historic impediments to the kind of fair, open, just, and inclusive country that fosters belonging not exclusion, that we aspire to be.
Community Action Agencies Open and Here to Help
Finding Innovative Ways to Continue to Serve Both New and Existing Families
Visit masscap.org to find your local Community Action Agency
The pandemic is affecting our lives in profound and unexpected ways.
COVID-19 Response: Community Action Ready to Help
Check out our NEW video series: Service & Recovery in the time of COVID-19
Updated 4/7/20
The pandemic is affecting our lives in profound and unexpected ways.
House of Representatives Includes $15M in FY20 Supplemental Budget for Fuel Assistance
Thousands of Households To Be Helped Immediately
On behalf of thousands of vulnerable households struggling with their energy burden across the Commonwealth, we thank Chairman Michlewitz and the House Ways and Means Committee for drafting a supplemental budget that includes $15M for Fuel Assistance.
More Than Half of State Legislators Urge Inclusion of Fuel Assistance in State FY 20 Supplemental Budget
Thousands of Households Have Run Out of Home Heating Oil
Advocates Call for Formal Federal/State Partnership
In response to a second consecutive reduction in federal fuel assistance resources legislators in the Senate led by Senators Hinds and Tarr, and in the House, led by Representatives Mark and Wong, joined last week by more than half of their colleagues, urged budget writers in both chambers to include $15 million for fuel assistance in the FY20 Supplemental Budget.
MASSCAP Announces Early Education/Care Workforce Development Initiative: READYGO, Readying Educators And Developing Young Children for Great Outcomes
A Partnership with The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
During MASSCAP’s annual public policy briefing earlier this week at the State House, READYGO, a new early education and care workforce development initiative made possible through The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts (THFCM), was announced.
Federal Home Heating Aid Not Meeting Families’ Needs, Lawmakers Warn
As Reported by Chris Lisinski, State House News:
Additional $15M In New State Heating Aid Sought
Thousands of Massachusetts families risk running out of heating oil this winter without additional assistance from the state, an advocate warned Wednesday as lawmakers began pushing for new funding to augment federal aid.
MASSCAP and Community Action Agencies Launch Annual Volunteer Free Tax Preparation Program that Aids Low Income Families
Earned Income Tax Awareness Day · Celebrating 50 years of VITA
Today the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) along with the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC) and the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) were joined by Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Marjorie Decker, Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, and the Deputy Treasurer Alayna Van Tassel among others in kicking off this year’s tax season by launching the annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) and celebrating 50 years of this critical program as well as recognizing the importance of accessing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
MASSCAP, Community Action Agencies, MEDA Launch Annual Statewide Heating Help Awareness Campaign
A Focus on Fuel Assistance and Weatherization
MASSCAP, along with LEO Inc., the network of Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Energy Directors Association (MEDA), will launch its annual statewide awareness campaign to ensure that vulnerable Massachusetts families are able to keep safe, warm and healthy this winter.
Public Programs Cut Child Poverty by More than Half, According to Recent Report on Poverty in Massachusetts. Forum Looks at Impact of Public Programs on Poverty on the South Coast
Effective programs that help families to make ends meet, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, SNAP, fuel assistance, school lunches, Head Start, and Social Security cut the number of people in Massachusetts living in poverty by almost half and reduce the number of children living in poverty by more than half, according to a new report on poverty called “Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward Together.” The report was commissioned by the Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) and written by Nancy Wagman, Kids Count Director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget).
Public Charge Rule Revision: Harmful to Vulnerable Families
MASSCAP Calls for Its Reversal
Is it possible to succeed as a legal immigrant if you are faced with a regulation designed to cause you to fail?
Free Tax Prep for Low-Income Wage Earners Threatened
One Holyoke family is now finally able to make the down payment on their first home. This family with 2 young children and 2 working parents who have been saving for some time left the Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site smiling.
Statement on Allocation by the Baker Administration of $19M for Fuel Assistance
We very much appreciate and are grateful to our elected officials – our legislators and the governor – for being so responsive and sensitive to the needs of our vulnerable friends and neighbors living with low-incomes and struggling with high energy burdens which are a drain on their limited resources and threaten their health and safety.
Families left in the cold as fuel assistance benefits run out
As Reported by Crystal Haynes, Boston 25 News:
BOSTON – Families living on tight budgets are facing another tough week with brutal wind chills and snow in the forecast.
Community groups seek larger role in fighting poverty
As Reported by Kaitlyn Budoin and Michael P. Norton/ State House News Service:
Community action groups often associated with getting heating assistance to people who need it want the Legislature to give them a broader mission that reflects their efforts in areas like food assistance and financial literacy.