ARRA News
NASCSP Resleases New Report on ARRA Success Stories
Friday, November 5, 2010
Click here to read the recently released report by the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP). We know that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is working and Community Action is on the forefront of that. This report highlights great work around the country. For NYS ARRA Success Stories, click here to read NYSCAA's Economic Recovery in Action: The Faces of Rebuilding and Recovery.
Comlinks Uses ARRA Funds to Help Feed Children in Need
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Backpack program uses ARRA monies through the Community Services Block Grant to purchase backpacks, supplies and food to provide an "emergency backpack" full of healthy and easy to prepare food that elementary school aged children bring home on weekends when school is not in session and school breakfast and lunch is not available. Home school coordinators helped Comlinks identify those children most at risk and the first year of the program has enough funds to provide weekly backpacks to roughly 350 elementary aged children. Click Here to read the entire press release from Comlinks.
Weatherization Program Expands in Tompkins
Thursday, April 22, 2010
A letter to the editor by Lee Dillon, Executive Director of Tompkins Community Action, Inc. appeared in the Ithaca Journal on April 22, 2010. "Following up on recent article, 'Delays in weatherization hold up green jobs effort,' I wanted to point out that Tompkins Community Action, Inc. has conducted a weatherization program since 1977. Because the watherization provider cited in the article was in Dutchess County, I thought this might be a good opportunity to provide some news on what is happening locally in weatherization." CLICK HERE to read the entire letter to the editor by Lee Dillon.
Weatherization: Work made possible by stimulus funding is ahead of schedule
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Two organizations in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties say progress is exceeding expectations on weatherization projects funded by the federal stimulus package. "We have completed 125 units," said Melinda M. Gault, director of the Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County. CLICK HERE to read the entire article by Elizabeth Graham of the Watertown Daily Times.
Weatherizing Program Exceeding Expectations
Friday, April 9, 2010
A letter to the editor, printed in the Buffalo News (4/9/10) from Andy Stone, Executive Director from the New York State Weatherization Directors' Association. "We all agree that taxpayer accountability is important, and that job creation is exactly what our economy needs, particularly in Western New York. Unfortunately, the March 28 Associated Press article, "Stimulus watch: Weatherizing program falling short," only cites examples from other states and fails to provide the true story about stimulus-funded weatherization here in New York. Click Here to read the entire letter to the editor.
Stimulus Works: Weatherizing Homes & Training New Yorkers for Green Jobs
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Syracuse, NY April 7, 2010 - Congressman Dan Maffei of the 25th District of New York, along with influential leaders in Weatherization and Community Action from across the State and country, gathered at the New York State Weatherization Directors Association's (NYSWDA) Training Center during the Stimulus at Work: Spotlight on Weatherization and Green Jobs event.
Click Here to read the entire press release.
Press Coverage:
Weatherization Program Helps Improve 1,000 Homes - WSYR, ABC Affiliate
Rep. Dan Maffei Showcases Program Spurred by Stimulus Funds - Syracuse Post Standard
Community Action Agency of Franklin County - COMLINKS provide Weatherization assistance to local reservation
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Akwesasne Housing Authority and Malone Weatherization Company are teaming up to help people improve their homes. Through the company, ComLinks has worked with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in the past, this year its representatives have space on the reservation to interview potential clients. CLICK HERE to read the entire article that appeared in the Watertown Daily Times
Agency has made good use of stimulus dollars to help area people
Monday, March 22, 2010
Amy Turner, Executive Director of Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, Inc. and NYSCAA Board President provides a special editorial for the Oberserver-Dispatch explaining how ARRA has directly benefited those affected by the economic downturn. Click Here to read the entire article.
RISE to Success - Westchester Community Opportunity Program Utilizing ARRA to Help the Unemployed Find Work
Friday, March 19, 2010
CLICK HERE to read about how Francisco Rivera, who struggled to make ends meet until he discovered the Westchester Community Opportunity Program (WestCOP). Rivera is now a Community Advocate who is helping others during this struggling economy. "I am so grateful to be in a position where I am helping young people in my community get into college. I'm providing tax assistance and even helping with job placement," said Rivera. "There is a lot of hardship out there, but there is also a lot of help." CLICK HERE to read the entire press release.
Special Broadcast on Weatherization
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Click here to check out this great video promoting Weatherization created in Illinois. This video goes through the program basics and actually walks you through the assessment process with a client present to production. This is airing during the month of March all throughout Illinois.
Great Press Coverage for the Release of the 2010 New York State Poverty Report
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Click on the following links to read or watch the great press coverage received.
Newspapers:
In our cities, poverty may be your neighbor - from the Albany Times Union
Report: NY's poverty rate ranks 17th in nation - from the Business Review
NY poverty rate tops national coverage - from the Troy Record
14% of NYS residents live in poverty - from the Oneida Daily Dispatch
Poverty Report Article - from the Rome Sentinel
Television:
Poverty Worsening Upstate - from the CBS affiliate in Albany, NY
Living On the Line with Poverty - from the ABC affiliate in Ithaca, NY
New Report Focuses on Poverty in NYS - from Your News Now
Radio:
Inverview with Denise Harlow, NYSCAA CEO - from WAMC, Northeast Public Radio
Poverty Hits Home: New Report Provides Statewide Look at Poverty in New York State
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
More than 2.6 million people, including 852,000 children live in poverty in New York State. This alarming statistic, among others is included in today's release of the New York State Community Action Association's 2010 New York State Poverty Report. This report provides data in comprehensive statewide, county-level and city-level format, offering statistical insight into how poverty in New York State affects education, employment and health, as well as its impact on women and people of color. CLICK HERE to read the entire press release
Help is Available for the Unemployed
Friday, March 12, 2010
Denise Harlow, NYSCAA CEO, responded via letter to the editor to a story appearing in the Albany Times Union, "Coldest Spell for Area Jobless" Harlow states: Community Action agencies across New York are committed to empowering unemployed state residents, especially the 35,400 in the Capital Region, by promoting self-sufficiency. Services range from job skills training to interview preparation and financial counseling." Click here to read the entire letter appearing in the March 12 Albany Times Union.
Rep. David Obey to ARRA Workers: Explain to communities how ARRA is helping
Monday, March 8, 2010
House Appropriations Chairman David Obey asks ARRA workers to explain to their communities that stimulus funds are not being wasted, but rather put to good use in programs like Weatherization. Click here to see the video.
Davis Bacon Act FAQ's
Monday, March 1, 2010
Please CLICK HERE to keep up-to-date with what your peers are asking about the Davis Bacon Act. Also, don't forget to check the Department of Energy (CLICK HERE) and Department of Labor (CLICK HERE) FAQ pages as well.
Recovery Act Reporting Requirements
Monday, March 1, 2010
Revised guidance is being provided to Weatherization Assistance Program subgrantees to transmit changes in ARRA Section 1512 job creation and retention reporting requirements. DHCR has developed the reporting procedures described in this notice to enable subgrantees to provide all required information each quarter, in a standardized format that allows the data to be aggregated for submission to the federal govenment. CLICK HERE to read the entire memorandum from the Energy & Rehabilitation Services Bureau. CLICK HERE for the Job Creation/Retention Report.
Food for Jobs Program Putting Stimulus Money to the Test
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Less that a year ago the Economic Opportunity Program in Elmira received more than $600,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. With that money they decided to create a program to help people land a good paying job in the food industry. Click here to read the full article and to watch the video.
NY Leads all States in Disbursement of ARRA Funds to Save Affordable Housing
Friday, February 19, 2010
Click Here to read the entire article by the New York State Division of Housing & Community Renewal
Finding Warmth in Winter
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Written by Marie Montgomery, Energy Services Director for Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency. Click here to read the entire article which appeared in the Auburn Citizen.
One Year Later: How the Economic Stimulus has Benefited New Yorkers
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Click here to read the full press release about the 1 year anniversary of President Obama signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into legislation.
New Weatherization Wage Determination for NYS Takes Effect Immediatelly
Monday, February 8, 2010
The U.S. Department of Labor Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division has provided a new Residential Weatherization Wage Determination for New York State. Please note the Division of Housing and Community Renewal has been notified by the Department of Energy that the new rates will take effect immediately. Click here to read more
Urban Institute Looks at ARRA Investments in Children
Monday, January 18, 2010
Click here to read the Urban Institute's report on the federal government's investment in children via ARRA funding as compared to other federal spending.
NYS Selects Weatherization Program Multi-Family Housing Projects
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Governor David A. Paterson on 12/8/09 announced $60.3 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for weatherization projects that will work to reduce the energy burden on low-income residents in 9,431 multi-family housing units around the State. To read the press release, click here. Congratulations to PEACE, Inc., the Community Action Agency serving Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse as one of the grantees.
DOL Wage and Hour Division Contact Chart
Monday, September 28, 2009
For a list of Federal DOL contacts as they relate to the DOL Wage and Hour Division, click here.
US DOL Releases NYS Watherization Wage Determinations
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
On 9/9/09, the U.S. Department of Labor released New York State's Residential Weatherization Wage Determination. If you have any questions, please contact your regional office or submit written questions to WAPDavisBacon@nysdhcr.gov.
OTDA Announces Homeless Prevention Grants
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) today (8/27/09) announced the award of nearly $25 million in homelessness prevention grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The funds will allow 25 agencies to provide services in 33 counties through the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP). Of the 25 agencies, nine are Community Action Agencies. To read more and to see which agencies were funded, click here.
CEO for the Greater Capital Region Hosts YouthBuild Press Conference
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
At a groundbreaking event for the YouthBuild program in Troy, NY on 8/25/09, Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez joined Congressman Paul Tonko, Kathy Jimino, Rensselaer County Executive, Karen Gordon, Executive Director from the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) for the Greater Capital Region, Andrew Matonak, President of Hudson Valley Community College, and other representatives to announce new Recovery Act funding for workforce development throughout Rensselaer County. Click here to read the DOS press release. To see coverage on CEO's homepage, go to http://www.ceo-cap.org/news_events/press/ To read/see/hear more go to WAMC by clicking here and the Business Review by clicking here.
DHCR Mandates Separate Bank Account for WAP ARRA Funds
Friday, August 21, 2009
Please click here for a copy of a DHCR released memo dated 8/21/09 requiring the usage of a separate bank account for Weatherization ARRA funds.
DOE Website Lists States that have their WAP/ARRA determinations
Friday, August 21, 2009
While NY is not yet posted (8/21) keep an eye on http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/dol_wage_determination.cfm for continued posting of those states with their DBA-WAP/ARRA wage determinations.
DHCR and DOE to Host Davis Bacon Training
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Join DHCR and federal DOE for a training session on September 2nd in Syracuse NY. For more information, click here.
Governor David Paterson Issues Press Release on ARRA/CSBG
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Governor David A. Paterson announced Friday, July 17, 2009 that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has approved New York’s plan for the distribution of federal stimulus funding through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program as provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The $86.7 million CSBG plan will create and develop jobs that promote economic recovery across the State, as well as support CSBG anti-poverty programs that address education, housing, nutrition, emergency services, and health issues and advise on the use of available income. To learn more, click here. Quotes are inlcuded from U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, Congressman Paul Tonko, Congressman Eliot Engel, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Congressman Daniel Maffei, Congressman Eric Massa, Congressman Edolphus Towns, Senate President Malcolm A. Smith, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senator Velmanette Montgomery (Chair of the Senate Committee on Children and Families), Assemblyman Keith Wright (Chair of the Assembly Social Services Committee), and Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried.
CAPC Helping in Finding Jobs
Friday, February 26, 2010
Employment Services Program: Stimulus funding goes to small needs, carerr counseling. Click here to read the entire article from the Watertown Daily News.
Weatherization Gets National Press Coverage
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
To view a recent CNBC story on Weatherizatino in NYS, click here. DHCR Commissioner Van Amerongen is featured in this piece as well.
NYSDOS Posts Comments
Friday, July 31, 2009
NYSDOS has posted comments made on its ARRA CSBG Plan. To read the comments and see the State's response, click here.
NCAF Publishes Fact Sheet on Weatherization
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Visit NCAF's website for a new fact sheet on Weatherization entitled "Busting the Weatherization Program Myths." Click here to read it.
Schenectady Gazette Article on CSBG Stimulus
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Schenectady Gazette ran an article on July 22, 2009 on CSBG Stimulus in the Capital Region. CAAs in Albany, Schenectady, Fulmont (Fulton/Montgomery), and Saratoga are quoted. To read the article, click here.
Congressman Paul Tonko Promotes Weatherization
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Congressman Paul Tonko held a press conference on Monday (7/6/09) in Troy to promote the Weatherization Program. Alongside Assemblyman John McEneny and CAA CEOs Karen Gordon and Kathy Cloutier, among others, Congressman Tonko hit the important WAP benefits of energy conservation and families saving resources. To see more, click on the following links to two sites with video of the press conference (News Channel 13/NBC, and Capital News 9/Time Warner and the Albany Times Union article. The links also provide links to the Capital Region CAAs providing Weatherization assistance. To read Congressman Tonko's press release, click here.
OTDA Announces Homeless Prevention Grants
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) today (8/27/09) announced the award of nearly $25 million in homelessness prevention grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The funds will allow 25 agencies to provide services in 33 counties through the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP). Of the 25 agencies, nine are Community Action Agencies. To read more and to see which agencies were funded, click here.
NYSCAA releases Economic Recovery in Action: The Faces of Rebuilding and Recovery
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
NYSCAA is pleased to present Economic Recovery in Action: The Faces of Rebuilding and Recovery. The book includes success stories of programs funded through the Community Services Block Grant /American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (CSBG/ARRA). CSBG/ARRA has created jobs; sparked a widespread ripple effect of increased job training, purchasing of goods, and investment in local communities; and provided emergency assistance to keep families afloat. Stories were submitted by Community Action Agencies throughout New York State and range from literacy programs to Wheels to Work programs; from urban agriculture hoop houses to summer youth employment programs. The theme that shines through in each of the stories connects them all: Community Action Agencies help people and change lives. The stories included in the book embody exactly what the stimulus funding has set out to do and truly demonstrate "Recovery in Action."
2008 Poverty Statistics Released Today by US Census Bureau
Thursday, September 10, 2009
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