ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE

 

JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON DES BLOCK GRANTS

 

Minutes of the Meeting

Thursday, August 18, 2011

2:00 p.m., Senate Hearing Room 1

 

 

Members Present:

Senator Linda Gray, CoChair

Representative Carl Seel, CoChair

Senator Steve Smith

Representative Kate Brophy McGee

 

Representative Katie Hobbs

 

 

Members Absent:

Senator Andy Biggs

Representative Sally Gonzales

Senator Robert Meza

Representative Peggy Judd

 

 

Members Excused:

Senator Leah Landrum Taylor

 

Staff:

Amber O'Dell, Senate Public Safety and Human Services Committee Analyst

Ingrid Garvey, House Health and Human Services Committee Analyst

 

CoChairman Gray called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. and attendance was noted.

 

The following handouts were distributed at the start of the meeting:  "Overview of Community Action in Arizona" (Attachment A), "The Changing Face of Poverty" (Attachment B), "A New Leaf MESACAN" (Attachment C), "Get Your 2010 Taxes Done Free! VITA TAX-AIDE" (Attachment D), "Community Action Human Resources Agency" (Attachment E), "www.ArizonaSelfHelp.org" (Attachment F), "People's Information Guide" (Attachment G), "Get your taxes prepared and e-filed for free" (Attachment H), "Appendix Table 1: Sources of CSBG Funds Expended" (Attachment I), "State of Arizona Community Services Block Grant Program" (Attachment J).

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) State Plan

 

Judith Fritsch, Department of Economic Security, gave an overview of the Block Grant Program which is authorized by the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981.  She explained that it provides for formula grants to States and Federal and State-recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations.  Ms. Fritsch discussed the requirements for organizations to participate in the program and gave a summary of their activities.  She explained the purpose of the grants.  Ms. Fritsch showed a video titled "The Changing Face of Poverty."

 

Moises Gallegos, Interim Director, City of Phoenix Human Services Department, gave an overview of the Community Action Program in Arizona and the City of Phoenix Community Action Program. He discussed how government money received can be leveraged to raise additional funds from private sources.  Mr. Gallegos discussed the strict requirements to receive funding.

 

Kathy DiNolfi, MESACAN/A New Leaf, gave an overview of the program and explained the focus of the program.  She explained that the program helps people work towards buying a house, obtaining a post-secondary education or starting a business.  Ms. DiNolfi discussed the Assets for Independence Grant.

 

Gwen Relf, Rehoboth Saints Center, discussed some of the faith-based partnerships.  She explained the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and what it meant to the community.  Ms. Relf discussed participants being taught English and that many who are helped return to become volunteers.

 

Marylou Rosales, Executive Director, Community Action Human Resources Agency (CAHRA) serving Pinal County, discussed the organizations that her agency partnered with and some of the programs offered.  She explained that the agency is non-profit and gave the ratio of government dollars to private dollars that are used.

 

Cynthia Zwick, Executive Director, Arizona Community Action Association, explained some of the programs throughout the State and the qualifications required to participate.  She explained the main focus of the programs is teaching self sufficiency.  Ms. Zwick discussed possible situations in the future.  She explained that there are discussions being held at the Federal level about cutting the block grant programs and the impact it would have.  Ms. Zwick discussed agency accountability and reporting processes.

 

Senator Gray announced that Representative Judd was observing the meeting on the internet and Senator Landrum Taylor was at the hospital with a family member.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:33 p.m.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Shelley Ponce

                                                                                    Committee Secretary

 

(Audio recordings and attachments are on file in the Secretary of the Senate’s Office/Resource Center, Room 115. Audio archives are available at http://www.azleg.gov)

 

 

 

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JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

 ON DES BLOCK GRANTS

August 18, 2011

Page 1

 

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