Federal Policy Update: Homelessness Services Initiatives Capitol Hill Day Materials: www.endhomelessness.org

Today’s Agenda Introduction Hill Day Logistics Capitol Hill Day Policy Agenda Appropriations, Update, Talking Points, Action HHS Appropriations Second Chance Act 3. Authorizing Bills, Update, Talking Points, Action SELHA Medicaid – expand eligibility / increase access to services linked to housing 4. Questions

Hill Day Logistics Thank you State Captains for organizing Hill Day! Contact Katie Glenn, (kglenn@naeh.org / 202-942-8295) for info about participating in Congressional visits. Conference “Advocacy Track” Agenda can be found on the Capitol Hill Day Info Page – www.endhomelessness.org

Capitol Hill Day Policy Agenda Reflects critical issues being considered AS WE SPEAK Issues we can impact at the time of the conference Issues you have been working on for several months

Capitol Hill Day Policy Agenda Several policies are moving forward Prioritizing issues for each meeting is CRITICAL Less issues = more progress

Capitol Hill Day Policy Agenda Deciding on an issue: Is your Senator or Representative on a committee considering one of these policies? What have they supported in the past? We can help you find this info!

Appropriations Priorities Increase SAMHSA Homeless Services Funding to $120 million Include $100 million for Second Chance Act Update on other programs Runaway and Homeless Youth Act Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness Health Care for the Homeless programs

SAMHSA Homeless Services Status of Grant Applications 2009 Grant applications have been submitted and are currently under review Expect SAMHSA will fund approximately 70 grants (announcements in Sept) Continuation of the SSI/SSDI, Outreach Access and Recovery (SOAR) Initiative also included (contractor announced in September) Status for 2010 Appropriations For FY 2010 House Full Appropriations Committee Passed Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill included $75 million (same level as last year). Senate has not started

SAMHSA Homeless Services, cont. Next Steps Senate process may start next week Full House scheduled to pass before August recess Unlikely Conference Committees will finish before September 30 Ask NOW - Contact Senate offices to include $120 million in SAMHSA homeless programs for essential mental health and substance use treatment services linked to permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals and families and other housing programs targeted to homeless families, youth and individuals in the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill NEXT WEEK – Get Commitments for prioritizing SAMHSA homeless programs for FY 2011

Second Chance Act Programs (SCA) Status House Passed Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS) Appropriations Bill included $100 million (a $75 million increase). Senate committee version includes only $50 million for SCA Next Steps Full Senate needs to pass CJS appropriations bill House/Senate Conference Committee will develop one bill for final passage (ideally by September 30th) Ask Thank House Members for $100 m funding level Ask Senate and House CJS Subcommittee. Members to support the House request of $100 million for SCA grant programs in the Final FY2010 Appropriations Bill

Other HHS Homeless Programs House Appropriations Proposed Runaway and Homeless Youth Act Programs: $116 million (a $1 million increase) Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) : $68 million (an $8 million increase) Health Care for the Homeless Programs: $191 million ($1 million increase)