ADVOCACY

Do you want to influence the future of your world?

Become a faithful citizen!

"We are...called to promote the well-being of all, to share our blessings with those most in need, and to protect the lives and dignity of all, especially the weak, vulnerable, the voiceless."  -U.S. Catholic Bishops

Get involved.  Visit the website.
www.faithfulcitizenship.org

Urgent Action Alert!
June 13, 2008

Tell the Trenton decision makers to support Senator Turner and Assemblywoman Oliver’s resolutions for a 3.6% increase!

COPC is losing support in face of stiff competition for the state budget. All COPC members must reach out to their legislators, urging their support for a FY’09 increase within the next few days. The budget deals are being made now and we are not being heard. Be sure to impress upon legislators the devastating impact of the rising costs on the people we serve and our valuable staff.

Take Action! E-mail, fax or call to share your concerns about flat funding & rising costs!

To send an email, use this link

For calls or faxes to the Governor and Leadership:

Governor Corzine: (609) 292-6000
Sen. Richard Codey, Senate President: (973) 731-6770 Fax: (973) 731-0647
Sen. Barbara Buono, Chair, Senate Budget & Appropriations: (732) 205-1372 Fax: (732) 205-1375
Asm. Joseph Roberts, Speaker: (856) 742-7600 Fax: (856) 742-1831
Asm. Louis Greenwald, Chair, Assembly Budget: (856) 435-1247 Fax: (856) 435-3849 

For your legislators contact information
 
Here is a script you can use:

"The State budget must include a 3.6 percent cost of providing care increase in providers' contracts. The increase in price of gas alone is having a devastating impact on our ability to provide services. Without an increase, the health, safety and well being of our most vulnerable citizens will be at risk as these vital services become more difficult to access. We cannot provide a salary increase to our dedicated staff that will permit them to survive these increasingly expensive times. The cost of losing staff is incalculable. "

Have you voice heard on Medicaid!
June 9, 2008

This is Your Last Chance to Let Governor Corzine and Members of the Legislature Hear Your Voice on Medicaid Co-pays!

Final decisions on the budget will be made over the next week. Elimination of Medicaid co-pays is still being discussed in budget negotiations.

Continue to send Governor Corzine and members of the Legislature e-mails urging them to eliminate all Medicaid co-pays from the FY 2009 Budget. Remind them that the imposition of Medicaid co-pays will hurt the most vulnerable people in New Jersey, including many we serve here at Catholic Charities. We need to remind them that people on Medicaid are poor and cannot afford co-payments for essential health care services.

TAKE ACTION BY CLICKING ON THIS LINK

Keep the Pressure On!
June 10, 2008

Dear Advocacy Partners,

This week our State Legislators are making critical decisions on two major issues that impact Catholic Charities and those we serve. Please take a few moments to respond to the earlier e-mail on Medicaid co-pays and this one on the Cost of Providing Care.

Keep the Pressure On! Budget Negotiations Happening Now!

Tell Governor Corzine, members of the Budget Committees and all Legislators to support Senator Turner and Assemblywoman Oliver’s resolutions for a 3.6% increase.

Our advocacy is working! COPC is included in the budget talks with many legislators expressing support for an increase. It is imperative that all members let Governor Corzine, members of the Budget Committees, and all legislators know that an annualized Cost of Providing Care (COPC) increase of 3.6 percent for community providers must be included in the FY 2009 budget. It is time to remind them of the needs of community providers and why agencies need an annualized COPC increase of 3.6 percent this year.

Take Action! Email, fax or call to share your concerns about flat funding & rising costs!

To send an email, use this link. 

For calls or faxes, here is a script you can use:

"The State budget must include a 3.6 percent cost of providing care increase in providers' contracts to help meet escalating costs of food, gas and home energy. Without this increase, providers are struggling to support individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses and other challenging life situations. As these vital services become more difficult to access, these individuals are at increasing risk of declining health and other ongoing struggles."

Phone and Fax Contact Information:

Governor Corzine: (609) 292-6000 Fax: (609) 292-3454
Treasurer David Rousseau: (609) 292-6748 Fax: (609) 292-5031
Senate Budget & Appropriations
Sen. Barbara Buono, Chair: (732) 205-1372 Fax: (732) 205-1375
Sen. Paul Sarlo, Vice-Chair: (201) 804-8118 Fax: (201) 804-8644
Sen. Sandra Bolden Cunningham: (201) 451-5100 Fax: (201) 451-0867
Sen. Phil Haines: (609) 654-1498 Fax: (609) 654-4518
Sen. Leonard Lance: (908) 788-6900 Fax: (908) 788-0416
Sen. Kevin O’Toole: (973) 237-1360 Fax: (973) 237-1364
Sen. Steven Oroho: (973) 300-0200 Fax: (973) 300-1744
Sen. Dana Redd: (856) 225-9068
Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz: (973) 484-1000 Fax: (973) 484-1008
Sen. Brian Stack: (201) 330-3233 Fax: (201) 330-0513
Sen. Stephen Sweeney: (856) 251-9801 Fax: (856) 251-9752
Sen. Shirley Turner: (609) 530-3277 Fax: (609) 530-3292
Sen. Joseph Vitale: (732) 855-7441 Fax: (732) 855-7558

Assembly Budget Committee

Asm. Louis Greenwald, Chair: (856) 435-1247 Fax: (856) 435-3849
Asm. Gary Schaer, Vice- Chair: (973) 249-3665 Fax: (973) 249-6281
Asm. John Burzichelli: (856) 251-9801 Fax: (856) 251-9752
Asm. Joseph Cryan: (908) 624-0880 Fax: (908) 624-0587
Asm. Gordon Johnson: (201) 541-1118 Fax: (201) 541-1071
Asw. Marcia Karrow: (908) 782-5127 Fax: (908) 788-2625
Asm. Joseph Malone: (609) 298-6250 Fax: (609) 298-6359
Asw. Alison Littell McHose: (973) 300-0200 Fax: (973) 300-1744
Asm. Declan O’Scanlon: (732) 933-1591 Fax: (732) 933-1598
Asw. Nellie Pou: (973) 247-1555 Fax: (973) 247-1550
Asw. Joan Quigley: (201) 217-4614 Fax: (201) 217-4617
Asm. Joseph Vas: (732) 324-5955 Fax: (732) 324-1879

Contact information for other legislators can be found here.

Action Alert for May 28 and 29!
May 27, 2008

Contact New Jersey’s Decision Makers on May 28th and 29th and Tell Them That Medicaid Co-pays are Wrong for New Jersey! 

Issue 

People who live in poverty in New Jersey are already struggling because of the substantially higher cost of living.  Now due to the economic slowdown, prices for gas, food, and other essentials are rising even higher.  Imposition of Medicaid co-pays on top of these price increases will hurt the most vulnerable people in New Jersey. 

Individuals who live in poverty, many of whom have chronic health problems, and receive Medicaid benefits, find it difficult to make their benefit checks last for the entire month.  We see higher usage of food banks and other poverty-related services toward the end of the month. Choosing between food, gas, home energy or health care services due to Medicaid co-pays will force beneficiaries to make difficult choices.

Action Needed

It is critical that the members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and Assembly Budget Committee, legislative leadership, Governor Corzine and Treasurer Rousseau hear about the negative impact Medicaid co-pays will have on beneficiaries.

Call the decision makers listed below on May 28th and May 29th and tell them, "Medicaid beneficiaries have this insurance for a very good reason: they have extremely limited incomes. Their financial struggles are even more difficult with the increasing costs of food, gas and home energy. If co-pays for prescription medications are enacted, these individuals will struggle even more. They will be forced to make possibly life-threatening choices between getting needed medicines and paying for other necessities, such as food. In fact, many do not have enough left over from their benefit checks for food at the end of each month, so they rely on food banks. Co-pays must be removed from the FY 2009 State budget to truly give these individuals the coverage they need, to prevent their health from deteriorating and to avoid the resulting high costs, which the State will need to pay, of emergency room visits and hospitalizations."

Please contact the following:

Governor Jon S. Corzine (609) 292-6000
Treasurer David Rousseau (609) 292-6748

Legislative Leadership
Senate President Richard Codey (973) 731-6770
Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (856) 742-7600
Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (856) 251-9801

Assembly Budget Committee
Assemblyman Louis Greenwald – Chair (856) 435-1247
Assemblyman Gary Schaer – Vice Chair (973) 249-3665
Assemblyman John Burzichelli (856) 251-9801
Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (908) 624-0880
Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (201) 541-1118
Assemblywoman Nellie Pou (973) 247-1555
Assemblywoman Joan Quigley (201) 217-4614
Assemblyman Joseph Vas (732) 324-5955
Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow (908) 782-5127
Assemblyman Joseph Malone (609) 298-6250
Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose (973) 300-0200
Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon (732) 933-1591

Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
Senator Barbara Buono – Chair (732) 205-1372
Senator Paul Sarlo – Vice Chair (201) 804-8118
Senator Shirley Turner (609) 530-3277
Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (973) 484-1000
Senator Brian Stack (201) 330-3233
Senator Joseph Vitale (732) 855-7441
Senator Sandra Cunningham (201) 451-5100
Senator Dana Redd (856) 225-9068
Senator Anthony Bucco (973) 627-9700
Senator Philip Haines (609) 654-1498
Senator Leonard Lance (908) 788-6900
Senator Steven Oroho (973) 300-0200
Senator Kevin O’Toole (973) 237-1360
**Please call as many as you can!**

Coalition for a Moral Budget --Fighting to ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries are protected from cost sharing.

Take action! Send an email!

We need all COPC members and supporters to send Governor Corzine and members of the Legislature emails requesting an annualized cost of providing care increase of 3.6% for community providers be included in the FY 2009 budget. It is time to remind them of the needs of community providers and why agencies need an annualized cost of providing care increase of 3.6% this year.

Take Action! Send an email!

The State budget must include a 3.6 percent cost of providing care increase in providers' contracts to help meet escalating costs of food, gas and home energy. Without this increase, providers are struggling to support individuals with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses and other challenging life situations. As these vital services become more difficult to access, these individuals are at increasing risk of declining health and other ongoing struggles.

Our goal is to flood the email inboxes of Governor Corzine and Members of the Legislature from now until June 2.

It’s easy - use this link to send your email: 

Voter Voice: Support a 3.6% cost of providing care increase in the FY 2009 budget!

If the link does not work by clicking on it, cut and paste this link into your web browser:
http://www.votervoice.net/Groups/FSANJ/Advocacy/?IssueID=14492&SiteID=-1 
 
Questions? Contact Cindy Herdman Ivins at cindyhi@fsanj.org or (609) 671-9700.

Thank you. Together we can make this happen!

Hunger Alert: Urge Congress to Strengthen Nutrition Programs
March 31, 2008

Please read the alert below from our national organization, Catholic Charities USA, and click on "Take Action" to let your congressmen know how important it is to support improvements made to the Farm Bill. Many of those we serve at Catholic Charities benefit from Food Stamps and the other nutrition programs included in this bill. With current economic conditions, Catholic Charities has seen an increase in demand for food assistance, so please take a moment to make sure that all those who come to our doors have enough to eat. 



What: This week, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are expected to resume negotiations on the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R. 2419). Both of the House and Senate reauthorization proposals would strengthen vital nutrition programs under Title IV of the Farm Bill, by indexing for inflation the Food Stamp program's standard deduction and minimum benefit, eliminating the cap on dependent care deduction, and increasing funding for the Food Stamp and Emergency Food Assistance programs. However, significant differences between the House and Senate nutrition titles must be resolved to ensure that improvements to nutrition programs are maintained.

ACTION NEEDED: Click on "Take Action " or enter your zip code above to send a message to both Senators and Representatives. Ask Congress to protect the improvements made to the nutrition title of the Farm Bill.

BACKGROUND: Prior to adjourning for the spring recess, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate approved S. 2745, a bill to extend the nation's agricultural programs to April 18, 2008. This one-month extension comes amidst continued disagreement between House and Senate lawmakers about overall spending levels. Further complicating the bill's final completion is a requirement that any new spending be offset by tax savings or program cuts elsewhere. The President will reportedly ask Congress to pass a one-year extension if Farm Bill disputes are not negotiated by April 18th.

Reducing hunger is an important component of Catholic Charities USA's Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America. All persons should have adequate food and water to nourish their bodies. This is essential to the dignity of the human person. It is unacceptable in a nation as bountiful as ours that children, adults, and senior citizens experience food insecurity that puts their physical, mental and developmental health at risk. 

TAKE ACTION!

Advocacy Agenda '09

Please click on the pdf link below to read Catholic Charities' 2009 advocacy agenda.

Budget '09 Testimony

Click on the pdf below to read Joyce Campbell's testimony to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on March 20, 2008.

State to Welcome New Legislators
January 3, 2008

The State of New Jersey Legislature will welcome 16 new Senators and 28 new Assembly members on January 8, 2008. That’s more than one third of the total of 120 seats in our legislature ( 40 Senators and 80 Assemblypersons). In the districts that cover the Diocese of Trenton (Districts 7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15 and 30) there are nine new legislators, and an additional four will be moving to the Senate from the Assembly. Once we have district office addresses and phone numbers for all of the legislators we will be posting a list here for your use, so please check back soon. Legislative sessions run in two year increments, meaning the session starting next week will be the 2008-2009 session. Assembly members get elected every two years, while Senators are elected every four years. Therefore, like last November, every four years we have an opportunity to vote for all of our state legislators.

One of the major activities for most all advocates will be greeting these new legislators and informing them about their organization and the policy issues that are important to them. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, will be writing to all of our legislators to open the new legislative session, but will focus on scheduling visits with those who are new.

Both new and returning legislators will be faced with challenges, chief among them being the looming $3 billion dollar budget deficit. If you are a member of our advocacy alert system you can expect to get numerous e-mails once Governor Corzine introduces his proposed budget for July 1, 2008- June 30, 2009 (Fiscal Year 2009). We will be looking for new advocates to join our system, so if you are not already a member, please send an e-mail to mforlano@cctrenton.org. to join us in our efforts.

2008 Advocacy Agenda Approved
January 3, 2008

At it’s December 6, 2007 meeting, the Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, approved the agency’s advocacy agenda for 2008. The agenda outlines the major public policy issues that impact the agency and its consumers, and as such directs the activities of the Board, the County Boards and the Community and Government Relations Department. The broad issues, Cost of Providing Care and Salary Parity; Poverty Reduction; and Immigration have not changed since 2007, however, some of the specific regulations, legislation or funding allocations we will focus on have changed.

Please take a moment to click on this link below to see where you may have interest in working with us to create more socially just state and nation. To become involved in our advocacy efforts, please contact Joyce Campbell, Director, Community and Government Relations at jcampbell@cctrenton.org.

Write for Mental Health and Addiction Parity
January 2, 2008

Dear Advocacy Partner,

State legislation for Mental Health and Addiction Parity is facing a challenge and your help is urgently needed. Please write to Assemblyman Joseph Roberts, asking him to post S-807/A-2512 for a vote before the legislative session ends on January 7, 2008.

A template is below for your use. To send an e-mail, the address is AsmRoberts@njleg.org.

Dear Speaker Roberts:

I am writing to stress the importance of S-807/A-2512 and ask that you post this critical legislation for a vote by the full General Assembly before the legislative session ends on January 7, 2008. Mental Health and Addiction Parity will ensure that individuals who have mental illnesses, alcoholism and other substance abuse disorders receive equal levels of treatment as they do for physical illnesses.

Treatment for mental illness and substance abuse disorders has been proven to be highly effective. [share examples of how your treatment programs work and the impact they have on consumers of different ages.]

Thank you for your support of this imperative legislation. 


Sincerely,


You have been successful in moving this legislation this year. Please write to Assemblyman Roberts today so that parity becomes a reality.

Campaign to Raise Welfare Grants
November 9, 2007

Welfare Grants Not Increased in 20 Years

Catholic Charities is an active member of the Anti-Poverty Network, and has joined with the network in an advocacy campaign focused on raising the cash assistance grants that welfare recipients in NJ receive. We invite you to let your state legislators know that it’s time to increase payments to those who are trying hard to work their way off of welfare, but struggling to meet the costs of returning to work when the assistance they receive is significantly below the Federal Poverty Level. Read the facts below, then print out a few cards and send them to your legislators. We suggest that you send one each to your Senator and two Assemblymen. To locate your state representatives visit www.njleg.state.nj.us.

• A single parent with two children receives just $425 a month in cash assistance from Welfare, which is the same amount provided in 1987! Even combined with food stamps, this income is well below what is needed to meet basic needs!

• Other public assistance programs have annual cost of living increases and grant levels are adjusted for inflation, but welfare has not had an increase in 20 years!

• A single adult on welfare receives $140 a month even though the Federal Poverty Threshold is $847 and the real cost of living is estimated at $1,784.

• Recipients of welfare in New Jersey are required to participate in work activities 35 hours a week and take part in programs to move toward self-supporting work but it is clear that welfare is not able to provide people with enough financial assistance to sustain themselves in times of need, let alone build a strong foundation for the future.

• Many testimonies of welfare recipients describe the struggle to provide for their children’s basic needs, the devastation of falling into homelessness when assistance from welfare wasn’t enough to afford decent housing and the frustration to find work at wages high enough to offer them a chance a self sufficiency.

• Welfare is designed to assist people in meeting their basic needs so they might pursue self-supporting work. As it currently stands, this is impossible to do because welfare assistance is well below even the Federal Poverty Level. An increase is critical to the success of the program and most importantly those participating in it.

• We are calling on the Legislature to raise welfare grants by 10% as a first step in correcting the state’s failure to increase the grants over the past 20 years.

• For additional information and ways to participate in the campaign visit the Anti-Poverty Network’s special page on the welfare grants http://www.antipovertynetwork.org/WelfareGrantsCampaign.cfm

Catholic Charities statewide supports NJ SHARES campaign
November 9, 2007

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, along with the other four Catholic Charities in the state have been partnering with NJ SHARES for 10 years to provide financial assistance to households at risk of having their utilities shut off. NJ SHARES is out of funding and we need your help to let the Governor know it’s time to commit more resources to this vital program now that the cold weather is upon us. Here are some facts about the program and what you can do to help.

FACTS
• NJ SHARES provides financial assistance for overdue utility bills (gas and electric) to avoid power shut off, keeping individuals and families safe and warm in their homes.
• NJ SHARES’ focus in on households that do not meet income eligibility criteria for other utility assistance programs such as the Universal Service Fund (USF) and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), but still have difficulty paying for their basic needs in an environment of rising housing and heating costs.
• NJ SHARES receives annually approximately $1.5 million from unclaimed utility deposits (known as “escheats”). This funding is a result of legislation passed several years ago.
• Additional funds are received through utility companies’ customer donations.
• The total amount of funds from these two sources has not been enough to keep pace with the demand of individuals and families in need. In fact, in most counties of the state, funding ran out half way through 2007.
• The NJ SHARES Board of Directors has been working diligently with government and elected officials, as well as the Board of Public Utilities, to advocate for additional funding. While a couple of strategies are being pursued, it does not appear that there will be funds available for the start of the 2007 winter heating season.
• NJ SHARES will receive its annual escheats funds by early 2008, but it is projected to run out by March, the time at which many households are no longer protected by the utility moratorium. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• NJ SHARES asks for your help to let the Governor know that individuals and families across the state depend on organizations like yours and NJ SHARES to keep homes heated, cooled and safe with proper electrical operations.

Copy and paste the message below and send it to Governor Corzine, using this link: http://www.state.nj.us/governor/govmail.html.

Dear Governor Corzine:

Life in New Jersey is not easy as costs of housing and utilities continue to
rise, and many people struggle to make ends meet every month. I am very
concerned about the upcoming heating season and don’t want myself or my
neighbors to have to choose between heating and eating. While there are
programs that assist many residents, like the Universal Service Fund and
LIHEAP, some families make too much money for these programs, but not
enough to meet all of their basic needs. NJ SHARES is one program that can
help, but they have been out of funding in most of the state for the last several
months, with no new funds in sight for the start of winter. Please help us by
making additional funds available to NJ SHARES. Thank You.

Respectfully,

We Need Your Voice!
January 29, 2007

...Advocating for those in need in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties


Why I Should I Speak Out?

To live in a just and compassionate society, we must work together to eliminate the root causes of social injustice. Catholic Charities believes that helping New Jersey’s community leaders and legislators develop their position on important legislation makes a lasting difference in the lives of our neighbors in need. 


In the past, Catholic Charities’ advocacy efforts have helped to: 

Increase the minimum wage
Pass legislation creating a state rental assistance program
Defeat proposed cuts to basic needs services. 

By becoming an advocate for social justice, you can help us to renew lives and restore hope!

How Can I Speak Out?

Speak out by becoming part of our vibrant advocacy network with just your email address! 

As a member, you will receive information on current issues and pending legislation with easy instructions on how to contact elected officials either through email, phone, fax, or mail. It’s your choice. 

This is how hundreds of concerned people are speaking out today for social justice through our advocacy network.

Simply email Mary at Mforlano@cctrenton.org with the following information:

Name
Phone Number
Email Address
County of Residence
___Parishioner (Parish_____________) or ____Advocacy Friend

You may also want to consider joining one of our other Networks: 

The Consumer Advocacy Network reaches out to our very large network of consumers through agency staff and empowers them to have their voices heard. Over the past few years, this network has organized consumer letter writing and post card campaigns and has encouraged consumers to attend rallies or provide testimony at legislative hearings and press conferences. 

The Social Justice Outreach Network, our newest activity, reaches out to the faith community to educate parishes and organizations regarding advocacy and how they can make a difference in the lives of those we serve. 

To learn more about these groups please contact Joyce Campbell at 609-394-5181 or jcampbell@cctrenton.org.

The Role of Advocacy at Catholic Charities

Service, ADVOCACY, and Community Building…the foundation of Catholic Charities' mission.

"One integral component of social action is that of advocacy, the courageous calling of attention to the root causes of poverty and oppression. The founders of the National Conference of Catholic Charities expressed it in no uncertain terms: 'It (Catholic Charities) aims to become, finally, the attorney for the poor in modern society, to present their point of view and defend them unto the days when social justice may secure to them their rights'" (Cadre Study, 1992 reprint)

This quote was written in 1910 and still bears true today. At Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, we believe that advocacy does make a difference in the lives of those we serve. Advocacy is central to Catholic Social Teaching, as a means to promote social justice. It is an integral part of the services we provide to those in our communities. Not only do we work to speak out on behalf of those we serve, we work to empower those we serve to speak out for themselves.

Catholic Charities' Community and Government Relations Department (CGR) meets this particular mandate of our mission, to advocate, in several ways:

• The agency Government Relations Committee, comprised of Board members, community members, volunteers, and staff, advises the efforts of staff in CGR and sets the agency's advocacy agenda and goals. 

• The advocacy agenda outlines the social issues that have the greatest impact on our consumers, so that our resources are directed at these items. 

• We meet with state and federal legislators as well as local government officials to bring the story of Catholic Charities and those we serve to them and to assist them in making public policy decisions that will not harm those we serve. Board members and consumers are encouraged to attend with staff.

• Advocacy alerts are sent via e-mail to those registered for our Legislative Advocacy Group. These alerts draw attention to legislation critical to our consumers, provide information on an issue, specify our stance on the issue, and offer legislative contact information. 

• The Consumer Advocacy Network is supported by CGR. This network reaches out to our very large network of consumers through agency staff and empowers them to have their voices heard. In the past, CGR has organized consumer letter writing and post card campaigns and has encouraged consumers to attend rallies or provide testimony at legislative hearings and press conferences.