Gustav/Ike Families' Disaster Housing Assistance Deadline Looms

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reminds families that were impacted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike that time is running out for them to apply for disaster housing assistance through the DHAP program.

The Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP-Ike/Gustav) was established by HUD and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist families who were displaced by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav with up to 17 months of temporary housing assistance. Since October 2008, FEMA has made direct payments to families to cover their rent payment if they have not completed the process for DHAP assistance.

These direct payments end right now. Families who have not responded to repeated requests from HUD or a local housing authority to participate in DHAP will be responsible for paying their rent beginning June 1st.

Approximately 7,000 families are eligible for continued rent assistance but have not responded to calls or letters to enroll in the program. Families who need this continued assistance are strongly urged to sign up by May 31st to allow housing authorities enough time to begin making rent payments for June.

HUD is encouraging families who received eligibility letters from FEMA and need this continued assistance to contact the public housing authority they were assigned or call toll-free HUD’s Referral Call Center at 1-866-785-3239.

Capital Outlay Bill Scheduled

House Bill 2, the Capital Outlay Bill, will likely be heard in Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee Monday June 1st. If you have applied for capital outlay funding and have not had a chance to talk to your Senator about funding for your project, you have a few more days to do so.

Please check the Legislative website for Committee meeting updates.

If the Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committee is scheduled for Monday, then after Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committee adopts amendments, HB 2 will move to Senate Finance Committee probably on Tuesday for cash amendments. After Finance Committee, HB 2 will then move to the Senate Floor probably by the end of the first week of June.

Hurricane Prep Sales Tax Holiday This Weekend

The Louisiana Hurricane Sales Tax Holiday will take place on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31. On these two days, shoppers can purchase specified emergency supplies free of the four-percent state sales tax in preparation for the 2009 hurricane season, which begins on June 1.

The Legislature voted in 2007 to provide an annual state sales tax holiday on sales of hurricane-preparedness supplies on the last Saturday and Sunday of each May. During the two-day holiday, tax-free purchases are allowed for the first $1,500 of the sales price of each of the following items:

• Self-powered light sources, such as flashlights and candles
• Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, and weather-band radios
• Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting
• Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits
• Gas or diesel fuel tanks
• Batteries – AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt, or 9-volt (automobile batteries and boat batteries are not eligible)
• Cellular phone batteries and chargers
• Non-electric food storage coolers
• Portable generators
• Storm shutter devices
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Blue ice products.

New Federal Funds for Neighborhood Stabilization Program

New federal funds for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 are now available through HUD.

Under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, $1.93 billion is available through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP2) to competing eligible entities for affordable housing development in communities that have suffered from the economic effects of foreclosures and abandonment.

Eligible entities are states, units of local government, nonprofit entities, and consortia of nonprofit entities. Any lead applicant may apply with one or more for-profit entities as its partner. NSP2 activities include: establishment of financing mechanisms for purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed homes and residential properties; purchase and rehabilitation of homes and residential properties abandoned or foreclosed; establishment of land banks; demolition of blighted structures; and redevelopment of demolished or vacant properties with new housing. The HUD application deadline is July 17, 2009.

For more information and to apply please go to the HUD website.

Key Requirements Include:

--Census tracts for sites must meet at least one of the two needs scores (foreclosure and vacancy) according to the online NSP need calculation tool at http://www.huduser.org/nspgis/map.aspx.

--At least 25% of the NSP funds must target individuals or families whose incomes do not exceed 50% of the area median income. All funded activities must be affordable to low- and moderate-income persons whose income does not exceed 120% of the area median income.

--Grantees must expend at least 50% of awarded funds within two years and 100% of awarded funds within three years.

--Minimum grant is $5 million and the minimum number of housing units to be constructed (and/or demolished) is 100.

--Applicants must have experience constructing 75 units of similar eligible activity housing within the past 24 months.

Summer of Service Initiative

First Lady Michelle Obama and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announced May 20th a new initiative designed to put volunteers on a path to sustained service.

This service effort is focusing on four broad issues:

1) promoting clean energy, energy efficiency, and public land restoration;

2) supporting education and literacy for all Americans;

3) increasing health care access, public health awareness, and prevention; and

4) providing community renewal to areas hardest hit by the economic crisis.

Cabinet secretaries are hosting conference calls to share information on planned activities and areas of focus, and the Administration has launched a new online portal, www.serve.gov, where organizations can list service opportunities and individuals can find openings of interest or develop their own projects.

The program will officially begin June 22 at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service and culminate in a National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11. Please go to their website for more information on how you can participate in the Summer of Service initiative and on national service.

After Katrina: The New Normal (webcast)

This half-day workshop to examine the lessons that American society can draw from Gulf Coast community responses to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. The workshop is in New York, but you can participate via webcast at www.demos.org.

Date: May 21, 2009

Time: 8:00 AM (Central Time)

While Hurricane Katrina revealed deep divisions of inequality and an astonishing lack of preparedness among government authorities, few Americans are aware of the ways in which communities in Louisiana and Mississippi are now coming together to restore neighborhoods and help shape improved local policy.

An analysis of the systems of responsiveness that are being put into place can offer important lessons for the entire country. Throughout the workshop, speakers and panelists will draw upon a special March issue of The American Prospect, “After Katrina: The New Normal,” to discuss the implications of Gulf Coast rebuilding processes for our nation’s public policy and infrastructure as a whole.

Confirmed Speakers Include:

• Jainey Bavishi, Director, Equity and Inclusion Campaign, Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
• Marco Cocito-Monoc, Director, Rural and Regional Development, Greater New Orleans Foundation
• Pamela Dashiell, Co-director, Lower Ninth Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development
• Karen Gadbois, Founder Common Knowledge / Squandered Heritage
• Derrick Johnson, Executive Director Community Policy Research and Training Institute
• Brentin Mock, Metcalf Institute Fellow for Environmental Reporting, The American Prospect
• Karen Rowley, Special Projects Manager, Public Affairs Research Council
• Carlton Turner, Project Director, Alternative Roots

Innovation in Louisiana Government Fellowship

Learn More About the Innovation in Louisiana Government Fellowship

The Louisiana Department of Social Services (DSS) is seeking nominations from across the state of those individuals who have demonstrated leadership in delivery of social services. Nominees should share the commitment of DSS to improve service delivery systems and thereby improve life for all Louisianans. DSS encourages the nominations of individuals from within state government and from community-based organizations.

Over the course of the 6-month fellowship, fellows will gain skills and tools to be more effective leaders as Louisiana modernizes the methods by which social services are delivered in the state. A key element in this process will be the planning of individual Fellowship Projects. Nominees should have ideas/projects which they are ready to develop into implementable initiatives over the course of the fellowship.


** All nominations are due by 5:00 PM Friday, June 19, 2009 **


For more information on this fellowship opportunity, contact Brandon Reeves at breeves@dss.state.la.us or (225) 342-6775.

New Federal Grant Opportunities for Nonprofits

The following are recently announced federal grant opportunities for nonprofits:

(1) Strengthening Communities Fund (SSF): This program has replaced the Capitol Compassion Fund. Administered by the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, SSF has available grants worth $50 million. This new fund was created by the federal economic stimulus bill and the goal is to strengthen nonprofit and faith-based organizations that aid families and communities who are struggling in the economic downturn.

The Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF) is divided into two parts:

(1) The Nonprofit Capacity Building program will make one-time, two-year awards of up to $1 million to lead organizations that will use the funds to support other faith-based or secular nonprofit organizations.

(2) The State, Local and Tribal Government Capacity Building program will make one-time, two-year awards of up to $250,000 to state, city, county and Indian/Native American tribal governments. Governments will use these grants to strengthen nonprofit organizations and increase the nonprofits’ involvement in projects that help turn our economy around.

Grantees for both programs must provide at least 20 percent of the total approved cost of the project from non-federal funds. This match may be met by cash or in-kind contributions. Applicants interested in applying for funds should visit http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/recovery.html

(2) Volunteer Generation Fund: A new grant program administered by the Corporation for Community and National Service for nonprofits to build their capacity to recruit, manage and train volunteers. To receive a grant from the Volunteer Generation Fund, a state service commission or nonprofit organization must either directly carry out volunteer programs or develop and support community-based entities that recruit, manage or support volunteers.

The funds will primarily be subgranted therefore smaller nonprofits will want to look for funding through either state service commissions or larger nonprofits. A subgrantee may be a community-based entity that provides technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of local volunteer infrastructure organizations, addresses areas of national need, or expands the numbers of volunteers nationally. The grant application process has not begun and the earliest funds would be available is after October 1, 2009 however more likely the beginning of 2010.

(3) Social Innovation Fund: This new grant program also administered by the Corporation for Community and National Service intends to increase the impact of social entrepreneurs and innovative nonprofit organizations by scaling proven programs and investing in promising new ideas. This Fund will allow nonprofit organizations to expand or replicate proven initiatives or support promising new initiatives in low-income communities. This program will provide grants to “existing grantmaking institutions”—or partnerships of grantmaking institutions, state commissions, and mayors or other local government CEOs—to establish Social Innovation Funds.

Grantees will use these Funds to make subgrants to nonprofit organizations to expand or replicate proven initiatives or support promising new initiatives in low-income communities in the areas of: Education for economically disadvantaged students; Child and youth development; Reductions in poverty or increases in economic opportunity; Health, including access to health services and health education; Resource conservation and local environmental quality; Civic engagement; or Reductions in crime. The grant application process has not begun and the earliest funds would be available is after October 1, 2009 however more likely the beginning of 2010.

(4) Early Head Start Expansion: The Administration for Children and Families solicits applications from public or private non-profit organizations, including faith-based organizations or for-profit organizations, that wish to compete for funds that are available to provide Early Head Start services to pregnant women, infants and toddlers and their families. There is approximately $619 million to be competitively awarded for the purpose of expanding enrollment of approximately 55,000 low-income children and their families. The due date for applications is July 9, 2009.

Financial assistance will be competitively awarded to local public and local non-profit and for-profit private entities, including Early Head Start and Head Start grantees, to provide child and family development services for low-income families with infants and toddlers ages birth to three years and pregnant women who are not currently being served by a Head Start or Early Head Start program.

(5) Compassion Capitol Fund: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS), announces that applications will be accepted for new grants pursuant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Compassion Capital Fund (CCF). The grant due date is June 22, 2009.

Pursuant to this announcement, ACF will award funds to experienced organizations to deliver capacity building services to faith-based and community organizations through the provision of training, technical assistance, and sub-awards.

Intermediary organizations will assist faith-based and community organizations with capacity building activities in four critical areas: 1) leadership development, 2) organizational development, 3) program development, and 4) community engagement. Capacity building activities are designed to increase an organization's sustainability and effectiveness, enhance its ability to provide social services, and create collaborations to better serve those most in need.

Applicants interested in applying should visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/HHS-2009-ACF-OCS-EJ-0009.html

In order to search all federal grants please visit http://www.grants.gov/.

For many information about any of these grant opportunities please contact Elisabeth Gehl at elisabeth@lano.org.

Williamson Named LANO President & CEO

Ann Silverberg Williamson has been named the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO).

Jim Kelly, Co President and CEO of Catholic Charities of New Orleans and the Chair of the LANO Board, commented, “The LANO Board is pleased to have someone with Ann’s professional experience and commitment to improving the quality of life of our state’s citizens.” Kelly also remarked that “the LANO Board is deeply thankful to Sr. Melanie Guste, RSCJ for her recent leadership of LANO. We congratulate her on being selected by her religious congregation to serve on their provincial council.”

Williamson will assume the position of President and CEO effective Monday, June 1st, 2009.

Williamson, a native of Thibodaux, has spent the majority of her professional career in Baton Rouge. From January 1998 to January 2000, Ann served as the Assistant Director of LANO. As one of the first employees of LANO, she published a Manual of Best Practices in the early days of the America’s Promise movement in Louisiana. Williamson was most recently LANO’s Vice President of Public Policy and the Director of the Louisiana Budget Project (LBP).

Williamson served as the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Social Services (DSS) from January 2004 to September 2008, overseeing the department's $2 billion budget and more than 5,000 employees. Throughout her public service, Williamson championed the development of integrated human service delivery for the benefit of citizens known as "No Wrong Door." Williamson was recognized in 2008 by the Baton Rouge Business Report as one of the 2008 influential Women in Business.

Amidst recovery from the devastating storms of 2005, Williamson guided the Department's efforts to sustain its core services, while also reforming the system to improve outcomes for Louisiana's children, families and individuals seeking increased security, safety and independence. During this time, a nationally commended model of early intervention and prevention in child welfare was implemented. In addition, the Solutions to Poverty movement progressed as a statewide priority within DSS.

Williamson has a bachelor's of arts in theology from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and a Master's degree in Social Work from LSU.

President Obama Releases Detailed FY10 Budget

Last Thursday, President Obama released his detailed budget which outlines the funding levels for specific federal programs that will impact nonprofits and the clients they serve.

Specifically, nonprofits should pay attention to the following announced provisions in the budget:

• Capitol Compassion Fund: This program will now be called the Strengthening Communities Fund and administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (http://www.hhs.gov/). It will offer federal grant opportunities for nonprofits to help them through the economic recovery. Stay tuned for more information about this revamped federal grant opportunity.


• Volunteer Generation Fund: The Serve for America Act, recently signed into law by President Obama, includes a new program administered by the Corporation for Community and National Service called the Volunteer Generation Fund. This Fund is a federal grant program offered to nonprofits to help them build their capacity to recruit, manage and train volunteers. The President has included $10 million in his budget for the Fund however advocates are hoping for the full $50 million that was authorized by the Serve for America Act.


• Social Innovation Fund: The Serve for America Act included a new program called the Social Innovation Fund, which is intended to increase the impact of social entrepreneurs and innovative nonprofit organizations by scaling proven programs and investing in promising new ideas. Also administered by the Corporation for Community and National Service, this Fund will allow nonprofit organizations to expand or replicate proven initiatives or support promising new initiatives in low-income communities. The President has included $50 million in his budget for this new program.


• National Capacity Building Initiative (NCBI): The Serve for America Act included a new program called the National Capacity Building Initiative which authorizes federal grants of not less than $200,000 to intermediary nonprofit organizations who raise an equal matching grant from private sources. These grants are intended to fund quality nonprofit capacity building and organizational development assistance programs. Unfortunately, the President's budget does not include funding for NCBI, however the Serve for America Act authorized $5 million over 5 years. Federal advocates will be working hard to make sure funding is included in the FY10 final budget passed by Congress.

The funding levels in the President's budget could change as Congress deliberates the various provisions. LANO will continue to issue more information about these and other federal grant opportunities. If you have any questions please contact Elisabeth Gehl at elisabeth@lano.org.

Support the Louisiana Healthier Families Act

The Louisiana Healthier Families Act will improve health outcomes by raising the tax on tobacco. This has two primary benefits:

• encouraging those who smoke to discontinue the unhealthy habit that leads to severe illness and death
• shifting the degree of financial burden resulting from this unhealthy behavior

Furthermore, House Bill 889 will provide additional revenues for the state during a time when the state faces budget shortfalls.

The Louisiana Budget Project and LANO recommend favorable reconsideration of this beneficial opportunity for Louisiana. We believe our state officials should act in a manner that will improve health outcomes, serve the needs of our children as well as provide additional revenues for the state.

The Louisiana Healthier Families Act was originally heard by the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday April 25, 2009. Unfortunately, the bill was rejected in an eleven “nea” to seven “yea” vote. Recently, the bill was re-introduced as House Bill 889 which will increase the tax on tobacco by 50 cents. The bill is co-sponsored by 18 legislators, including Senate President, Senate President Pro Tempore, and 3 Republican Representatives.

► Tell your Representative to support the Louisiana Healthier Families Act!

Learn more about the Louisiana Healthier Families Act in LBP's new report analyzing the Louisiana Healthier Families Act, "Tobacco Tax Increase: Raise the Tax or Bear the Burden."

Serve for America Act Public Listening Session in New Orleans on May 28th

On April 21, 2009, the Serve America Act was signed into law, ushering in a new era of service and volunteering for our nation.

On May 28, 2009, the Corporation for National and Community Service, which will implement the bill, will be in New Orleans to hold a public listening session to inform their planning and implementation of the Serve for America Act. As the people who make service happen in communities everyday, you have vital insights about how they can make the most of the extraordinary opportunities presented by this new legislation.

The Serve for America Act creates programs to encourage and increase opportunities for people of all ages to engage in community service. For years AmeriCorps members have benefited communities across the nation and this measure will increase their value by encouraging an additional 175,000 Americans to give a year of service through AmeriCorps.

Louisiana nonprofits will benefit from the Serve for America Act not only from the increase in volunteers and expansion of AmeriCorps members, but also through two provisions included in the bill called the Volunteer Generation Fund and National Capacity Building Initiative. Both of these initiatives will help to fund and increase the capacity of nonprofits as they take on the responsibility of training, managing and organizing volunteers.

To participate in the listening session:

Serve America Act Listening Session (Free)

May 28, 2009 - 1:00-4:00pm

New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, 2800 Chartres, New Orleans, LA 70117

Please check the CNCS Serve America Act page for updates and background on the legislation.

May 4, 2009 Legislative Session Update

The 2009 Regular Session of the Louisiana of the Louisiana State Legislature convened Monday April 27th for a 60 day "fiscal only" session. State lawmakers, by law, must adjourn, or "sine die", no later than 6:00pm June 25th.

Since 2009 is an odd numbered year, state lawmakers are required to focus on the state's fiscal matters this session. However, legislators have until May 6th to file general nature bills for consideration. Each of the 144 state lawmakers are limited to 5 general matter bills.


LANO will continue to advocate for nonprofit organizations and the tremendous value of the services they provide. We have identified a number of bills that have the potential to affect the nonprofit sector and the communities they serve. Weekly updates will be sent out on Mondays highlighting some of these bills and where they stand in the process, as well as an update on where all the bills LANO is tracking stand. If you have not yet signed up to receive LANO Public Policy emails, please do so now.


If your organization is advocating for or against any measures this session, please notify ashley@lano.org as soon as possible.

LA Children's Justice Task Force Survey

The Louisiana Children's Justice Act Task Force is conducting a survey on child abuse and neglect services, collaboration and training. This survey is part of their three-year review process. If you or your organization is involved in these issues, they'd appreciate your input. It should only take about five minutes to complete, and they need your response by the end of the week (5/8).