NYS CCF - Census 2020 Outreach and Education Efforts

New York State Council on Children and Families (The Council) is hosting a webinar for early childhood providers and other nonprofits who would like to participate in the Census 2020 outreach and education efforts. We encourage all non-profits currently doing or thinking of doing census work to fill out the pre-qualification form and to contact their local county Complete Count Committees.

Please share with your local networks and partners. Everyone is invited!

If you are unable to attend the webinar, here is the walk-through guide on how to complete the Consolidated Funding Application.

SNAP and Immigrants

 SNAP and Immigrants: Get the Facts About Public Charge

• Changes to “public charge” rule go into effect on February 24, 2020
• Office for New Americans' statewide hotline is available to help
• Updated outreach materials in English and Spanish now available

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on January 30, 2020 that the agency will begin to apply the final public charge rule to applications and petitions submitted on or after February 24, 2020.

This change to the public charge rule impacts those immigrants who are applying for green cards or visas and who use certain programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, and subsidized housing assistance on or after February 24th.

It’s important to note that not all immigrants are affected by the rule, which excludes legal permanent residents and many other immigrants.  Most immigrants who fall under this new rule are not eligible for SNAP benefits.  However, this rule is causing fear and uncertainly, and immigrant families are withdrawing from SNAP and other public benefit programs without understanding the facts.

What's Great in Our State

Click here to download nomination form.

Deadline is February 24, 2020.

Please send your nomination form or questions to Kate Provencher: Kathryn.Provencher@omh.ny.gov

Nominate Someone Who is Great in Our State

Nominate Someone Who is Great in Our State!

For Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

As part of the 2020 New York State What's Great in Our State (WGiOS) celebration on May 5, 2020, the planning committee for the Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day event is seeking nominations to honor individuals, communities, schools, and organizations across New York State that are making a difference in the field of children and youth mental health.  This year’s theme is “20/20: Children’s Mental Health Coming into Focus”.

Here’s your opportunity to recognize those who are doing outstanding work! Our annual recognition focuses on the following six categories:

• Youth/Young Adult
• Family/Caregiver
• Lifetime
• Systems of Care Community
• Organization or Community Group
• School

The deadline for nominations is February 24, 2020. Please submit nominations and questions to Kate Provencher via email at Kathryn.Provencher@omh.ny.gov

About the Planning Committee:

The Planning Committee is comprised of 15 state agencies and not-for-profit organizations which are committed to advancing children’s mental health. Through this event, the committee works collaboratively to promote the importance of children’s mental health as a necessary component of children’s overall health.

Please click Learn More for more details.

Hunger Solutions New York - WIC

Do you need to connect or can you help connect pregnant women, new moms, infants and children under age 5 with the New York State WIC program?

WIC provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, nutrition education, and breastfeeding promotion and support to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. WIC helps non-maternal caregivers, who can apply for WIC for children under age 5 in their care, too.

There have been some exciting changes to WIC recently, yet statewide, the NYS Department of Health estimates that we are reaching only approximately one-half of potentially eligible New Yorkers.

For a limited time, Hunger Solutions New York is providing professionally printed outreach materials available on WIC Help NY’s Resource Center to statewide partners and community organizations to bulk order, free of charge.

Complete this online tool to order your free outreach and resource materials and help nourish more women, infants and children in your area.

Free File Options for New York State

If you (or someone you know) will be reporting income of $69,000 or less on your 2019 personal income tax return, you may be able to electronically prepare and file your income tax returns for free.

To make sure you aren't charged a fee, visit Free File your income tax return from the New York State Tax Department's website to access Free File software for both federal and state returns.

Remember: 

• E-filing is the fastest and easiest way to file your return.
• Online tax software is safe and secure.
• Most e-filers get their refunds two weeks sooner than paper filers.

Resources for individuals

• Filing season resource center
• Make a payment
• Individuals home

OCFS Forming a Parent Advisory Board

The purpose of the OCFS Parent Advisory Board is to give a voice to:

• Parents/caregivers who are involved in the child welfare system
• Foster parents (kin and non-relative) who are supporting and caring for a child in foster care
• Adoptive parents who have adopted a child who was in foster care
• Kinship caregivers who are caring for a relative’s child

The goal is for members to provide feedback on their experiences with the child welfare system and make recommendations to the Office of Children and Family Services for improving the system, and implementing state and federal initiatives to improve safety, permanency, and well-being for children and families.

Completed applications must be received by January 24, 2020

To learn more, please visit the link below.

Governor Announced $20 Million Funding for 2020 Census Outreach Efforts

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced local governments can apply for their shares of the $20 million in funding made available in the FY 2020 State Budget and designated to help make sure every New Yorker is counted in the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census. The Funding is part of the State's $60 million outreach effort that also includes up to $40 million from existing resources that leverages the outreach capacity of dozens of State agencies and public authorities.

Click here for our newsletter and additional resources for the 2020 Census!

Announcing Podcast from MHDD

Mental Health Crossroads

An exploration of the many intersections between mental health issues and intellectual and developmental disabilities. You are invited to learn more about these issues from our monthly interview episodes with professionals, self-advocates, and experts.

NYS Office of Mental Health: Searching For Interagency Facilitators

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and its partners have been conducting follow up on the 2018 System of Care (SOC) Summit recommendations identified by statewide participants.  One request was for the state to support continued implementation and maintenance of SOC efforts statewide. Toward that end, the NYS SOC Pilot has engaged Policy Research Associates to design a curriculum to be used in local SOC planning efforts. 

The agency seeks up to 60 seasoned trainers/facilitators to facilitate day-long action planning events for local SOC teams.

Please click here for more details. Make the nomination Today!