October 4, 2018
What is it? Reno v. Flores, also known as “The Flores Settlement” was a 1997 Supreme Court ruling that set standards for immigrant minors when going through the court system. Specifically, the case addressed the issue of unaccompanied minors when in the custody of federal authorities. It ruled that detained children must be released to...
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October 4, 2018
Despite efforts by leadership in the House and Senate Agriculture committees, Congress failed to reauthorize the farm bill by the Sept. 30 deadline. With the prior law now expiring, dozens of programs will stop and many others placed on hold. Long-standing authorized programs such as crop insurance and SNAP will continue, as long as they...
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September 28, 2018
ELCA congregations across Pennsylvania shared their voices for God’s Work. Our Hands Sunday by addressing letters to legislators, federal and state, advocating on behalf of those whose voices may not always be heard. As a result of their thoughtful advocacy service, several hundred letters were shared with state and federal lawmakers. In addition to participating...
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September 25, 2018
Pennsylvania Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller announced that from September 24-28, she will take the SNAP Challenge to highlight Hunger Action Month, the importance of food access, and the prevalence of food insecurity across Pennsylvania. The week will also highlight the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps nearly two million Pennsylvanians...
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September 17, 2018
Certain low-income Pennsylvanians can now apply for General Assistance again. On July 18, 2018, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, in a unanimous decision, found that Act 80 of 2012 was enacted in a manner that violated the Pennsylvania Constitution. Act 80 did many things, including eliminating the General Assistance (GA) cash assistance program. General Assistance...
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September 17, 2018
Applications for No Kid Hungry breakfast grants are available online. You are encouraged to share this information with your local school district’s director of food service so your district has the opportunity to expand access to school breakfast. Grants will support schools with the purchase of approved equipment, materials and initiatives facilitating breakfast after the...
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June 23, 2018
Governor Wolf signed the 2018-2019 state budget into law Friday, June 22, a week before the June 30 deadline with very little controversy. This year’s budget includes no new taxes, funding transfers to pay for new school safety initiatives, and deposited money into the Rainy Day Fund for the first time since 2006. Three of...
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June 21, 2018
Four ELCA Synods in Pennsylvania voted to pass resolutions regarding social justice issues at their recent assembly gatherings. The Lower Susquehanna Synod, meeting at Messiah College, May 31 – June 1, 2018, adopted a resolution regarding homelessness. The Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, meeting at Thiel College, June 15-16, 2018, adopted a resolution on migrant minors and...
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June 5, 2018
Senate Bill 554, which would provide “Safe Harbor” for victims of child sex trafficking, was voted out of the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, June 5. The legislation, which LAMPa and others have been advocating for years, is poised for a full House vote. Click here to learn more and push for its final passage. ...
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December 19, 2017
A new white paper from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) reviews the latest research on the harmful impacts of poverty, food insecurity, and poor nutrition on the health and well-being of children, adults, and older adults. Two other accompanying white papers describe the critical role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and...
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