Happy Holidays and Blogging in the New Year!

I am taking a much-needed break this holiday season, so this will be my final blog of the year.  I will resume again on Jan. 4, 2010.

As we move forward in the new year, I would value your opinions about the NCAF Community Action Blog.  Have our blogging efforts been helpful or insightful to you? Do you have comments or suggestions?  Please share your thoughts below or via e-mail.

I wish you and yours happy holidays and a successful new year!

-- David Bradley, NCAF Executive Director, Washington

Mark Your Calendars!

NCAF's Annual Legislative Conference will be held March 3-5, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Washington Capitol Hill. Click here for the conference brochure.

I will host an interactive pre-conference workshop on March 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., about how Congress works, specifically in relation to Community Services Block Grant reauthorization.  Those who attend should gain an educated overview of the legislative process.  As well, I will be leading a role play exercise so participants can really experience the reauthorization process.  It should be fun and educational. Breakfast, lunch and a refreshment break will be provided to pre-conference participants.

On Wednesday, March 3, the conference will begin with a Club 199 Brunch for all prepaid 2010 Club 199 members. Then, at 2 p.m., all registered conference attendees will dive into discussions on timely topics, addresses from key members of Congress and great general sessions to prepare us for delivering the Community Action message to members on the Hill.  The conference will adjourn at noon on Friday, March 5.

The regular registration period ends Feb. 1. Those registering before this date will pay $575, while those waiting until after that date will pay a $625 registration fee.

To sign-up for this event online, view the sign-up page. To sign-up for this event by mail, use the sign-up form.

NCAF has secured rooms at the Hyatt Regency Washington Capitol Hill. Rates cannot be guaranteed after 5 p.m. Feb. 4. To secure hotel reservations, visit the hotel web site or call 800-233-1234.

We have also secured rooms at the Affinia Hotel Liaison Capitol Hill, and its reduced rates cannot be guaranteed after 5 p.m. Feb. 2. To secure these rooms, call 202-638-1616.

Mark your calendars, and avoid the on-site rush by registering early!

-- David Bradley, NCAF Executive Director, Washington

New Office of Community Services Director?

I think we are likely to see a name floated for OCS director very soon. I believe they are down to a very imminent choice and that the position will be filled in early January.

If it is who I think it is going to be, I will be pretty comfortable with the choice.

Stay tuned.

-- David Bradley, NCAF Executive Director, Washington

Hard-Working House May Recess This Week

With Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi expected to lead a delegation to Copenhagen for the climate talks later this week, the House will likely break until mid-January.

House members certainly deserve a break! They worked hard this year. There isn’t a lot to show for it because of the Senate, but the House has passed a lot of legislation.

I also found the level of response from congressional members and staff regarding the hold up of first-quarter Community Services Block Grant dollars to be impressive and reassuring. Despite how busy they are, they responded, and we were able to ensure that the money was flowing again. The cause of the delay is being identified as an “administrative glitch.”

-- David Bradley, NCAF Executive Director, Washington

1.5 Trillion Reasons Why Next Approps Cycle May Be Tougher

Finally, the 2010 appropriations process comes to a close! There were no surprises in terms of the funding levels for the Weatherization Assistance Program, Community Services Block Grant, Head Start and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

However, embedded in the appropriations debate lurks the 800-pound gorilla, otherwise known as the national debt. The 2010 federal deficit is expected to be $1.5 trillion!

As a result, I think 2010 is the last relatively easy year for appropriations. I can think of 1.5 trillion reasons why there will be a lot more work ahead for us in the next appropriations cycle.

-- David Bradley, NCAF Executive Director, Washington

Congressional Retirements

I was very surprised to hear last week that Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash., would not seek reelection.


Congressman Baird has been a great supporter of the Community Services Block Grant and other Community Action issues. He is a good friend and a good member.

Rep. Baird was the third Democrat in a competitive district to announce retirement in the last three weeks. This week, Rep. Bart Gordon of Tennessee became the fourth. 

I can't help but wonder if this is the beginning of a steady stream of retirement announcements. Stay tuned to find out.

-- David Bradley, NCAF Executive Director, Washington

Energy Secretary Inspires Weatherizers During Call

Energy Secretary Stephen Chu participated in a conference call with hundreds of Weatherization Assistance Program managers and crews last week. This is the first time a cabinet secretary has addressed our network in this way.


The call was short but well received. It was equal parts pep talk and reality check. He stressed that those on the call and the Department of Energy were in this together. He spoke of challenges, the progress that our network has made in weatherization and his hopes for the future of the program.

This recent outreach is the latest of ongoing, substantial communications with the DOE. NCAF continues to participate in weekly calls with the Department about the progress of weatherization stimulus dollars and expenditures.

I continue to see interest from the highest levels of the administration and DOE in expanding the Weatherization Assistance Program.

-- David Bradley, NCAF Executive Director, Washington

Energy Secretary to Address Weatherization Leaders

Energy Secretary Stephen Chu will address all Weatherization Assistance Program agency leaders, crews and state managers by phone on Dec. 7. Please check your e-mail for the call-in time and number.

DOE has told us that Secretary Chu will share his thoughts on the progress that our network has made, his hopes for the future of the program and his feelings about the importance of your work to the economy and its future. I believe this will be a positive and inspiring event for our new workforce and for the "old hands" as well.

If you are part of the weatherization network and have not received an e-mail from me with further information this morning, contact NCAF for the call-in number.

-- David Bradley, NCAF Executive Director, Washington

CSBG Funding Pipeline Has Dried Up During CR

I’m getting calls from a number of state Community Action Partnerships who haven’t received first quarter Community Services Block Grant dollars during the continuing resolution. With some stimulus dollars still not out, the Community Action pipeline is extremely dry and layoffs loom.

With all the CSBG funding that has been appropriated, this should be a time when CAPs are able to meet the growing needs in their communities. It is unacceptable that, instead, they are seeing layoffs on the horizon.

We are on top of it. I have talked to the Department of Health and Human Services. And, this afternoon, I will begin talking to congressional members and leadership to try to find out what the hold up is.

I will hopefully have a report on positive activity very soon.

-- David Bradley, NCAF Executive Director, Washington

Food Stamp Use Reaches All-Time High

If you have not read Sunday’s front-page New York Times article about record-high food stamp use, click here and do so now.

It probably isn’t news to most in our Community Action network that one out of every eight Americans -- and one in four children -- are fed with food stamps. According to the article, in more than 800 of the counties Community Action serves, the food stamp program helps to feed one in three children!

Community Action Agencies are on the front lines and see firsthand how people are hurting in so many American communities. They know how demand for their programs and services has grown in the past couple years, so it probably will not shock any of them to read that the food stamp program is expanding 20,000 people a day.

Occasionally I read articles like this that just reinforce the job we are doing in Community Action to provide programs and services that help low-income people become more self-sufficient and secure. Even if it does not come as news to you, perhaps this article will give you additional motivation, as it did me, to continue our fight for the things in which we believe and for the millions of vulnerable Americans who need help getting back on their feet.

-- David Bradley, NCAF Executive Director, Washington

Weekly Calls with DOE

National Community Action Foundation has been participating in weekly phone calls with the Department of Energy about the progress of weatherization stimulus dollars and expenditures.
I have been finding these weekly calls to be very satisfying. We have been able to share concerns we have with DOE staff and they have been quick to investigate and get back to us with answers. The weekly call has become not only a useful and efficient way to work with DOE to resolve concerns, but also a wonderful forum for learning more of the insider views of the Obama Administration.

For instance, I am learning more that reveals the administration wants bigger and better things for the Weatherization Assistance Program. President Obama is asking how weatherization can be used in a larger context to really help fuel a green economy and job creation. I get the sense, both within DOE and the White House, that more focus is being placed on weatherization than on any other program within the stimulus.

I really like the team at DOE and have become even more comfortable with its leadership through our weekly calls.

-- David Bradley, NCAF Executive Director, Washington