tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54226857932892009622024-02-07T02:27:21.457-06:00Helping People. Changing Lives.CEDA is one of the largest private, nonprofit Community Action Agencies in the country and serves more than 500,000 Cook County residents annually. It is CEDA's mission to work in partnership with communities to empower families and individuals to achieve self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life.CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-75922500771701421712015-04-02T11:17:00.001-05:002015-04-02T11:18:29.647-05:00FUNDING FOR LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) IN COOK COUNTY ENDS THREE MONTHS EARLY<div>
<i>Residents Delinquent in Payments to Utilities Will Have No Utility Bill Assistance Available This Spring and May See Service Interruptions Beginning April 1st </i></div>
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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be unavailable this spring to help Cook County residents who are behind in their payments to Illinois’ public utilities. Over the last five years, federal funds for the program has declined, as Cook County residents’ need has increased. Beginning April 1st, those residents could face interruption of their gas and/or electric service.</div>
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LIHEAP, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the State of Illinois, is designed to assist eligible low income households pay for winter energy services. In Cook County, the program is administered by the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA), who has already helped more than 144,000 low-income households with their energy needs since September. Last year 19,000 households used the LIHEAP program between March 16th and May 31st. A 37% decline in available federal funding over the last five years and increases in need, have resulted in a funding shortfall this program year and will mean that no reconnection assistance will be available this spring.</div>
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This year, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) informed CEDA that funding for LIHEAP in Cook County has been exhausted and residents will not receive further financial assistance from the program during this Program Year. Each year, LIHEAP ends on May 31st or until funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first.</div>
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The lack of funds will have a significant impact on Cook County residents who depend on LIHEAP to remove the threat of utility disconnection in the spring. While state law prohibits a gas or electric public utility from terminating service between December 1st and March 31st (except under certain conditions), the winter moratorium is ending. On April 1st, public utilities may begin interrupting service to customers who are behind in their payments. </div>
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Cook County residents with delinquent accounts should immediately contact the customer service department of their gas or electric public utility to request a payment plan or deferred billing plan (contact information can be found on the monthly bills). In addition, the customer service telephone numbers for Illinois’ major public utilities are: </div>
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Com Ed Care: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> (888) 806-2273</div>
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Peoples’ Gas Co: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> (866) 556-6001</div>
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>North Shore Gas Co.: (847) 336-9300</div>
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>NICOR: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> (888) 642-6748 </div>
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For more information, please visit www.cedaorg.net or call CEDA at<b> (800) 571-2332. </b></div>
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CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-51951240064295181642014-07-08T10:08:00.004-05:002014-07-08T10:09:59.249-05:00STATEMENT FROM RON BEAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE CEDA GOVERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A distinguished executive with senior management experience in both the non-profit and corporate sectors is the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Governing Board of Directors announced the appointment of Mr. Harold T. Rice to the leadership posts, effective July 1, 2014. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Board conducted a national search to identify new leadership to direct the agency and implement innovative procedures to assure CEDA’s long-term stability.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mr. Rice brings more than 35 years of successful organizational leadership, with a record of corporate strategy development, operational management and fiscal prudence. Since 2008, he has been the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Albany Park Community Center. Prior to that role, Mr. Rice held multiple senior positions at the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, serving at times as the Chief Development Officer, Chief Operating Office and a member of the Board of Directors. Earlier in his career, Mr. Rice owned and operated multiple McDonald’s franchises in the area and also worked for Baxter’s American Hospital Supply Division.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mr. Rice will report to the Board and have overall responsibility for the implementation of policies, programs, and operations of the agency. He joins a leadership team that has been stabilized and strengthened by the efforts of Pam Pullman, the interim COO and Joel Wilcoxen, the interim CFO.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This year marks CEDA’s 50th anniversary of administering programs and services as part of the historic War on Poverty implemented under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Mr. Rice joins CEDA as the organization continues to design and implement new service delivery models, budgetary controls, and ways to maximize client capacity. CEDA remains committed to its historic mission of working in partnership with communities, empowering families, and helping individuals achieve self-sufficiency.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mr. Rice earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Engineering Technology from Kennedy-King College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. He also has a Master of Science Degree from Cardinal Stritch University.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information, please visit www.cedaorg.net.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For Further Information, please contact Tilden Katz –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">(312) 606-2614 / tilden.katz@fticonsulting.com</span></div>
CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-48127260609346686522014-05-20T10:44:00.002-05:002014-05-20T11:02:24.171-05:00Apply Now for Home Weatherization!<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>CEDA Weatherization</strong> is a year-round program using state-of-the-art technology to make homes more energy-efficient for qualifying low-income clients in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Weatherization provides safety and health equipment, repairs or replaces heating systems, seals air bypasses and other drafty areas, increases attic, wall, basement, and crawl space insulation. These measures will save energy for homeowners and keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Call (800) 571-CEDA (2332) or visit <a href="http://www.cedaorg.net/www2/EnergyEfficiency.html">www.cedaorg.net</a> today for more information on how to apply.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/IO28PM2HEhg?list=PL98D1F13E7CF0F884" width="480"></iframe>CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-30531226618549325692014-04-08T15:56:00.001-05:002014-04-08T16:01:08.956-05:00LIHEAP-WX Intake Sites WantedCEDA is looking for non-profits and townships to be intake sites for Cook County Energy Services and Weatherization applicants. We have an RFP out until April 28, and a pre-RFP meeting Thursday, April 10, 10 AM. Please go to our Purchasing page at <a href="http://www.cedaorg.net/www2/Purchasing.html"> http://www.cedaorg.net/www2/Purchasing.html</a> for further information.CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-83623707716581465872014-02-27T14:49:00.001-06:002014-02-27T14:52:44.353-06:00I-Team: Heating bills skyrocket during extreme winterApply Now for Home Energy Assistance or Home Weatherization!<br />
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CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-54684601037046473422014-02-20T10:11:00.002-06:002014-02-20T10:11:47.894-06:00Now Accepting Applications for Home Weatherization<strong>CEDA Weatherization</strong> is a year-round program using state-of-the-art technology to make homes more energy-efficient for qualifying low-income clients in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Weatherization provides safety and health equipment, repairs or replaces heating systems, seals air bypasses and other drafty areas, increases attic, wall, basement, and crawl space insulation. These measures will save energy for homeowners and keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Call (800) 571-CEDA (2332) or visit <a href="http://www.cedaorg.net/www2/EnergyEfficiency.html">www.cedaorg.net</a> today for more information on how to apply.</div>
CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-31683447543081647902013-10-07T11:26:00.000-05:002013-10-07T11:40:51.723-05:00CEDA Highlights Energy Saving Retrofit Technologies for Multi-family Residence <b>Weatherization Measures Demonstrated at North Side Apartment Building</b><br />
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On October 30, National Weatherization Day, representatives from CEDA Weatherization will join officials and community leaders at a 34-unit apartment building on Chicago’s North Side to highlight services being provided through the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP). <br />
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CEDA will host a local press conference at 10:00 a.m. 4520-32 N. Malden St., Wednesday, October 30, 2013 to announce measures undertaken to enhance energy conservation and efficiency in this multi-family residence. Following the press conference, participants will be taken on a guided tour of the property giving attendees a first-hand look at completed weatherization measures and state-of-the-art weatherization technology used to make apartment homes more energy efficient.<br />
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“In Chicago, 28% of housing units are rental apartments. It’s important that these residents receive the same health and safety benefits of a weatherized living space as homeowners”, says Renet Murad, CEDA Conservation and Efficiency Director. CEDA’s Multi-Family Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) is for building owners who provide housing to income-eligible residents in Chicago and suburban Cook County. <br />
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Annually, CEDA, other community action agencies and energy conservation groups nationwide observe the month of October as National Energy Awareness Month, celebrating the achievements made to help improve the lives of thousands of families. Demonstration is open to the public. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity administers the IHWAP program on the statewide level. Weatherization assistance applications are processed through a network of intake agencies in Chicago and suburban Cook County. <br />
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People interested in applying to have their home weatherized can visit www.cedaorg.net or call 800/571-CEDA (2332) more information.CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-53582533692354003272013-10-02T17:34:00.000-05:002013-10-04T15:24:44.299-05:00WIC Services Threatened<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcFyI2UcgxFJwXIc0WyblCnZPxtY3-pkJHGL_9p8yI264fpaU3jvpabYV4_92RNDWUoKn91zOyZ4vSATsmgeX_jsMZ3pl19JXUn96LhVEJqulsvgy0XbDRL7-JeZteqcGNhRrwRH_6hw/s1600/Campos+baby+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcFyI2UcgxFJwXIc0WyblCnZPxtY3-pkJHGL_9p8yI264fpaU3jvpabYV4_92RNDWUoKn91zOyZ4vSATsmgeX_jsMZ3pl19JXUn96LhVEJqulsvgy0XbDRL7-JeZteqcGNhRrwRH_6hw/s200/Campos+baby+2.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children” (WIC) at CEDA serves
over 50,000 moms and babies every month. CEDA WIC generates food vouchers worth
over $23,000,000 annually. All WIC vouchers are redeemed at local grocery
stores, thus contributing millions of dollars into the local economy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If Federal WIC funding stops due to the government shutdown,
hundreds of thousands of Illinois families will be at risk to lose adequate
food and formula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, millions
of dollars will be lost to the Illinois economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Illinois WIC closes; CEDA WIC closes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“WIC is an education, prevention <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> intervention service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The consequences of a suspended or interrupted WIC program will be
devastating to our families,” says Margaret Saunders, Director of CEDA WIC. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every day CEDA WIC clinics are closed, moms and babies are
disconnected from vital services:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">221 pregnant women are <u>not </u>screened for smoking, drug and alcohol? use; are not referred to prenatal care; infant weight gain goes unchecked; counseling on what to eat during pregnancy is discontinue; and discussions and planning on how to feed and care for baby will not be available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Pregnant women will be at risk</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">286 breastfeeding and postpartum women are <u>not</u> supported and assisted with caring for their new baby and or themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>New mothers will suffer</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">570 babies are<u> not</u> weighed, measured, growth checked, feeding practices reviewed, doctor visits reviewed, immunizations discussed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Babies will be hurt</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">WIC is the Go To, community based site for very ill babies requiring special formula at discharge for the birthing hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no other place to get these very expensive formulas that cost hundreds of dollars a month.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Food pantries do not carry formula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no other place available to assist formula fed babies.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1156 children under age five are <u>not</u> weighed, measured, screened for anemia, growth checked, screened for neglect or abuse, given oral health education, encouraged to develop healthy eating practices for a lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Children will be neglected.</u><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">$93,000 per week in local food dollars will <u>not</u> be distributed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Local business will be irreparably harmed</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Families are no longer connected with Farmers’ Market, Head Start, Energy Assistance, SNAP enrollment, health and dental care, food pantries, domestic violence shelters, homeless assistance, drug and alcohol abuse help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Families will fail</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For interviews contact: Margaret Saunders, </span><a href="mailto:msaunders@cedaorg.net"><span style="color: #007934; font-family: Calibri;">msaunders@cedaorg.net</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> or call
312/545-3023.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For a national perspective on the effects
of interrupted funding for WIC, see links below:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2013/10/02/government-shutdown-9-million-moms-and-babies-at-risk-as-wic-program-halts/"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #007934; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2013/10/02/government-shutdown-9-million-moms-and-babies-at-risk-as-wic-program-halts/</span></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/10/02/news/economy/shutdown-mothers-wic/"><span style="color: #007934; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">http://money.cnn.com/2013/10/02/news/economy/shutdown-mothers-wic/</span></a></span></div>
CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-39534121584796868042013-02-26T11:21:00.003-06:002013-03-22T11:22:15.455-05:00Impact of March 1st Cuts on Middle Class Families, Jobs and Economic Security: Illinois<br />
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Unless Congress acts by March 1st, a series of automatic cuts—called the
sequester—will take effect that threaten hundreds of thousands of middle class
jobs, and cut vital services for children, seniors, people with mental illness
and our men and women in uniform.</div>
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There is no question that we need to cut the deficit, but
the President believes it should be done in a balanced way that protects
investments that the middle class relies on. Already, the President has worked
with Congress to reduce the deficit by more than $2.5 trillion, but there’s
more to do. The President has put forward a balanced plan to not only avoid the
harmful effects of the sequester but also to reduce the deficit by more than $4
trillion in total. The President’s plan meets Republicans more than halfway and
includes twice as many spending cuts as it does tax revenue from the wealthy. </div>
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Unfortunately, many Republicans in Congress refuse to ask
the wealthy to pay a little more by closing tax loopholes so that we can
protect investments that are helping grow our economy and keep our country
safe. By not asking the wealthy to pay a little more, Republicans are forcing
our children, seniors, troops, military families and the entire middle class to
bear the burden of deficit reduction. The President is determined to cut spending
and reduce the deficit in a balanced way, but he won’t stick the middle class
with the bill. The President is willing to compromise, but on behalf the middle
class he cannot accept a deal that undercuts their economic security.</div>
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Our economy is continuing to strengthen but we cannot afford
a self-inflicted wound from Washington. Republicans should compromise and meet
the President in the middle. We cannot simply cut our way to prosperity, and if
Republicans continue to insist on an unreasonable, cuts-only approach, Illinois
risks paying the price. <o:p></o:p></div>
CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-40680407515929015942013-02-06T16:04:00.000-06:002013-03-22T11:25:47.411-05:002.1 Million Member National Sierra Club Joining Community Action Fight to Save Home Weatherization David Bradley, Executive Director, National Community Action
Foundation announced today, "We are very pleased to learn the 2.1 million member
national Sierra Club is joining our fight to save a viable Weatherization
program. It is the first major environmental group to put the program's
well-being on the to-do list for a vast grassroots network of activists. We
will continue to work with other environmental organizations that might put
W.A.P.'s funding crisis on their action agenda, too.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
The Sierra Club goal is the same as NCAF's, a base funding
of $300 million for W.A.P. Also, they are helping make the case that the W.A.P.
budget is a barometer of the fairness of the Administration's energy policies;
at present, the White House supports billions of dollars in tax incentives
directed to families that can update their homes, windows and equipment, but
less than the 2008 funding level for W.A.P."<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
See the grassroots campaign here: <a href="http://bit.ly/14EzKMY">http://bit.ly/14EzKMY<o:p></o:p></a>
CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-33847146587018747932012-10-31T10:01:00.002-05:002012-10-31T10:04:49.955-05:00CEDA Demonstrates Energy Saving Retrofit Technologies at Chicago Residence<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Tuesday, October 30, 2012<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CONTACT: Marsha A. Belcher<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">312.260.9854 office<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">312.523.5657 mobile<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">CEDA Demonstrates Energy
Saving Retrofit Technologies at Chicago Residence <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Weatherization Measures Demonstrated at South Side
Residence on National Weatherization Day<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWT42ouC_x6zUCoyszpjnCLQh-OCbmdR58RXmA03QJPl_cPaewsj3XKoRk9vzIyZ8nwVg_VPX2y0aT8DHrRo1xizCYq5OnUr8XCMaFmIXXn6Cw5lL0r30EoAXVjx1olAdkNNAIncuCiI/s1600/IMG_8102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWT42ouC_x6zUCoyszpjnCLQh-OCbmdR58RXmA03QJPl_cPaewsj3XKoRk9vzIyZ8nwVg_VPX2y0aT8DHrRo1xizCYq5OnUr8XCMaFmIXXn6Cw5lL0r30EoAXVjx1olAdkNNAIncuCiI/s320/IMG_8102.JPG" title="Weatherization Measures Demonstrated at South Side Residence on National Weatherization Day" width="318" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">CHICAGO
- October 30, 2012. To recognize National Weatherization Day, representatives from
Illinois’ community action network will join CEDA President/CEO Patricia
Doherty-Wildner and Interim CEDA Weatherization Director Ethel Brown in viewing
retrofits made to a single family home on the city’s south side. The updates made
through the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program, will improve the
energy efficiency of the property and increase energy savings. Attendees will
include: Larry Dawson, deputy director and John Knox, assistant deputy director
of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of
Energy Assistance; Kenneth Gilkes, from the office of Congressman Jesse Jackson
Jr.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2<sup>nd</sup> District; State Rep. Bob
Rita, 28<sup>th</sup> District; and Diane Turner, representing Carrie Austin, Alderwoman
for the 34th Ward. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">“Home
Weatherization works for our communities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This program provides permanent solutions to reduce the energy burden on
families by installing cost-effective, energy-efficient materials and services,”
said Pat Doherty-Wildner, CEDA president and CEO.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Featured in the demonstration will be a new
ventilation standard, ASHRAE 62.2, loose fill, and dense pack cellulose
insulation in the attic and walls. The 62.2 standard looks at the home’s
capacity to remove contaminants (including moisture) from the bath and
kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bathrooms and kitchens are
recognized as sources of poor indoor air quality. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">“DCEO
is a proud partner in this effort to help Illinois families live safely in
their homes,” Dawson said. “Through Illinois’ home weatherization program,
we’ve been able to help tens of thousands of homeowners reduce their long-term
energy consumption and realize significant savings in their energy bills, while
improving their overall quality of life.” </span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Annually,
CEDA, other community action agencies and energy conservation groups nationwide
observe the month of October as Weatherization Month. Weatherization Month is
an opportunity to celebrate the achievements made to help improve the lives of
thousands of families. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">###</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CEDA
is the nation’s largest Community Action Agency serving more than 240,000
individuals annually and operating over 30 programs throughout Cook County. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-3541045031910617172012-09-27T11:00:00.003-05:002012-10-31T10:05:56.135-05:00CEDA Joins the Nation to Recognize National Weatherization Month<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OaNHlsoHQ9U/UGR1sRZeJ5I/AAAAAAAAAD0/Kbpb6QFbj4U/s1600/CDA07300701_0033_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OaNHlsoHQ9U/UGR1sRZeJ5I/AAAAAAAAAD0/Kbpb6QFbj4U/s200/CDA07300701_0033_Web.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pat Doherty-Wildner</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">President/CEO</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October is a good time to ready our homes for the winter
ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is important to revisit or
develop a home fire escape plan that prepares your family to think fast and get
out quickly when the smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector sounds. It’s time
to replaces all batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October is also National Weatherization Month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CEDA wants you to begin readying your homes
for the winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those Cook County
residents eligible for CEDA Home Weatherization, it’s time to visit one of our
CEDA centers to apply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Effective September 2012, the nationwide weatherization focus
is primarily on health and safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The U.S.
Department of Energy has announced adjustments to the Home Weatherization
Program to ensure strong health and safety measures for the homes we
weatherize. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s all about good venting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>CEDA’s Home Weatherization assessors will evaluate the existing
ventilation in the home. CEDA’s Home Weatherization assessors will evaluate if:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 72.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>naturally drafting combustion equipment like furnaces and hot water heaters are properly vented,</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 72.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">dryers are properly vented,</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 72.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">gas appliances and gas lines have leaks, and if</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 72.25pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CO detectors and smoke detectors are properly installed.</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most houses waste energy and different types of houses and
apartments have different energy issues. CEDA assessors will still measure
energy loss and make sure that your home is tight and safe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen carefully to the results of the energy audit for your
home as the assessment measures and priorities are different from past years.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether your home is weatherized by CEDA, a professional
energy efficiency contractor or by you, a DIY, think health, think safety and
think energy savings!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>FOR MORE INFORMATION</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.cedaorg.net/www2/EnergyEfficiency.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.cedaorg.net/www2/EnergyEfficiency.html</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <strong>800/571-CEDA<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
</div>
CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-42443511879716384902011-12-28T08:24:00.004-06:002012-05-17T10:56:45.379-05:00Open Letter to Residents of Suburban Cook County, Illinois<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbPxd2AX0Uo/Tw8B4poG6VI/AAAAAAAAADk/UzVUJbfs3Y4/s1600/PatDohertyWildner_color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PbPxd2AX0Uo/Tw8B4poG6VI/AAAAAAAAADk/UzVUJbfs3Y4/s200/PatDohertyWildner_color.jpg" width="143" /></a></div>
Dear Residents of Suburban Cook County:</div>
<br />
CEDA Board of Directors appointed an ad-hoc task force in 2010 to develop an agency wide Transformation Plan. The Board task force’s charge was to address the fiscal and service delivery challenges facing the agency. At the October 18, 2011 CEDA Board of Directors meeting, the 2-year plan was adopted. The new CEDA service delivery model is for suburban Cook County only. Service delivery in the city of Chicago is unchanged.<br />
<br />
During the summer of 2011, CEDA conducted a county-wide Community Needs Assessment to 3,265 residents. The new service delivery models are consistent with the 2011 Community Needs Assessment (CNA) results. A copy of the 2011 CEDA Community Needs Assessment is posted on the CEDA website: www.cedaorg.net.<br />
<br />
CEDA’s long-term capacity will increase due to repurposing CEDA properties to maximize the overall number of clients served. The new plan will expand considerably CEDA’s service delivery countywide footprint as we add partner locations to our program specialists' worksites.<br />
<br />
I am available to answer any questions and to further discuss how we can continue to work together to benefit struggling families throughout all of Cook County Illinois.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Patricia Doherty-Wildner<br />
President/CEOCEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-32526371978053203412011-12-14T08:07:00.001-06:002011-12-14T08:11:04.361-06:00New England Governors Call for Quick Action on LIHEAP FundingBy Ivan Brandon, National Fuel Funds Network<br />
<br />
Washington, DC (12/13/11) -- Governors and Lt. Governors from New England today urged Congress move quickly to provide adequate funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The state leaders said major funding cuts to the federal energy assistance program would create a “crisis” for cold weather states.<br />
<br />
Speaking during a media conference call arranged by the American Gas Association, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee, Massachusetts Lt. Governor Timothy Murray, Connecticut Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, and an advisor to Maine Governor Paul LePage all called for immediate action by Congress. <br />
<br />
Peter Shumlin said we “need Congress to act this week to appropriate funds for LIHEAP.” He described proposed reductions in LIHEAP funding as “inhumane and unacceptable.”<br />
<br />
A continuing resolution providing temporarily funding for LIHEAP is scheduled to expire Friday and today Congress is expected to begin consideration of legislation funding the program and other government departments for the rest of the fiscal year. <br />
<br />
Last year, LIHEAP received $4.7 billion in funding but this year’s appropriation is expected to be considerably less. President Obama requested $1.9 billion for LIHEAP while the Senate version of the appropriations bill provides $3.6 billion and the House bill contains $3.39 billion.<br />
<br />
The state government leaders speaking on the conference call urged Congress to pass the Senate version of the bill. Gov. Shumlin said Congress “must pass” the Senate version. The governor pointed out that home heating oil, the most commonly used source for home heating in Vermont, currently costs $4 a gallon and LIHEAP assistance grants will only cover the cost of a half tank of oil.<br />
<br />
Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee called for swift action by the Congress. The governor said there are many elderly residents in his state living off of incomes between $11,000 and $21,000 a year. “We have to look after those most in need,” Chafee said.<br />
<br />
Connecticut Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said “cold homes are unacceptable” adding that senior citizens and the families of service men are being affected by the loss of LIHEAP funds. She said 600 servicemen from her state will be deploying to Afghanistan in the coming months and “they don’t need to be worrying about whether their families are able to keep warm this winter.”<br />
<br />
An advisor to Maine Governor Paul LePage called for “quick action” by Congress. He said 65,000 households received assistance through LIHEAP last year but added that the amount of the assistance grants this year would be reduced by one third because of the funding cuts. He urged that LIHEAP be funded at the “highest level possible.”<br />
<br />
American Gas Association President and CEO David McCurdy released the results of a study showing that one out of every five natural gas customers are behind on their payments. The study also showed that disconnections were down by 9 percent compared to last year. McCurdy said the reduced number of disconnections demonstrates the importance of LIHEAP. The survey is available on the AGA website at http://www.aga.org/our-issues/liheap/Documents/Fall%202011%20Write%20Up%20-%20arrearages%20NR.pdf.<br />
<br />
Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, told the media that a recent survey of LIHEAP recipients found that the number of recipient households containing at least one veteran has increased to 20 percent. The NEADA survey can be viewed at http://www.neada.org/communications/press/LIHEAP%20Veteran%20Study%20V3%20doc.pdf.CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-85541272369904324302011-10-31T09:09:00.001-05:002011-10-31T09:11:56.801-05:00CEDA Highlights Energy Saving Retrofit Technologies for Multi-family Residence<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Weatherization Measures Demonstrated at West Side Apartment Building<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">CHICAGO - October 28, 2011. On the Friday before National Weatherization Day, representatives from CEDA Weatherization joined officials at a 22-unit apartment building on Chicago’s West Side to highlight services provided through the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP). </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Over one-half of the Austin community housing stock was built before 1950,” said Robert L. Wharton, president/CEO CEDA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s essential that these apartments and homes are weatherized to bring down energy costs for the families.”</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CEDA hosted a local press conference at 10:00 a.m. at 17 S. Central in Chicago, Friday, October 28, 2011 to announce new measures undertaken to enhance energy conservation and efficiency in this multi-family residence. Following the press conference, participants took a guided tour of the property, getting a first-hand look at completed weatherization measures and state-of-the-art weatherization technology used to make homes more energy efficient.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We know that in these tough economic times our money is being stretched in every direction… so this is a great benefit for this community to have received this weatherization program offered by CEDA today,” Alderman Deborah Graham, 29th ward.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Property Managers, Bishop Joseph and Jeannie Jones, moved back into the Austin community to renovate the property several years ago with the support of their church, Pleasant Ridge MB Church, which sits across the street. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The couple came to CEDA in 2010 for help with energy efficiency measures, which were completed on all units, including attic insulations and furnace repairs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“We open our doors to the homeless. We open our doors to anybody in distress,” said Jeannie Jones. “We see the difference of what this weatherization did for this community.”</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Building resident Charmin Edwards, who moved to the property after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina, expressed her contentment with the work done in her unit. “It’s been fabulous what CEDA has done,” she said.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Annually, CEDA, other community action agencies and energy conservation groups nationwide observe the month of October as Weatherization Month, celebrating the achievements made to help improve the lives of thousands of families.</span> </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/au9e05dG7vI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-12419765015886658392011-09-20T11:01:00.001-05:002011-10-31T09:12:13.784-05:00POVERTY AMONG WOMEN AND FAMILIES, 2000-2010: National Women’s Law Center ReportThis report provides a gender analysis of national Census data for 2010. The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) supplies this analysis, as it has for several years, because little information broken out by gender is available directly from the Census Bureau’s series of reports titled Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States. Determining, for example, if there were changes to the poverty rate among black women or elderly women living alone, or the gap between the wages of Hispanic women and white, non-Hispanic men, requires examining separate detailed Census Bureau tables – which is the way NWLC prepared this report. However, while this report provides a picture of poverty and income data, its scope is largely confined to statistical analysis; it does not attempt to capture what increased poverty and economic insecurity mean in real terms for women, their families, and their futures.Full report on their website.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nwlc.org/press-release/nwlc-analysis-new-census-data-shows-record-numbers-women-poverty-without-health-insura%22&gt">http://www.nwlc.org/press-release/nwlc-analysis-new-census-data-shows-record-numbers-women-poverty-without-health-insura"&gt</a>;CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-69046360122422053252011-09-13T12:07:00.000-05:002011-09-13T12:07:11.958-05:00U.S. poverty rate reaches 15.1 percentThe nation’s poverty rate spiked to 15.1 percent in 2010, the highest level since 1993, the Census Bureau reported on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 providing vivid new evidence about the nation’s inability to escape the lingering effects of the recession. To read entire article, go to: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/us-poverty-rate-hits-52-year-high-at-151-percent/2011/09/13/gIQApnMePK_story.html?wpisrc=al_nationalCEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-30286411323649475872011-09-02T17:35:00.001-05:002011-09-02T17:38:38.213-05:00HUFFINGTON POST: Illinois' Low-Income Heating Assistance Program Could Be Slashed By 60 PercentLow-income individuals, senior citizens and the disabled are being warned by the state to apply as early as possible for state and federal assistance in paying their heating bills this winter as funds for the program are running low.<br />
<br />
As CBS Chicago reports, families who rely on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to pay their energy bills and keep their homes cool were forced to go without assistance this summer. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which oversees the program, prioritized their newly limited funding to help those who qualify for the program stay warm during the fast-approaching winter months.<br />
<br />
"While we would have liked to have offered services both in the summer and in the winter, our priority is the winter program," department spokeswoman Marcelyn Love explained to CBS. "We have maintained as much funding as possible to help protect people this winter."<br />
<br />
Earlier this month, the heating assistance program was reportedly facing a drastic cut in federal funding -- from $98 million to $41 million -- leaving behind a hole that states will inevitably not be able to fill.<br />
<br />
Senior citizens and individuals with disabilities can begin to apply for the program Thursday. Low-income families with children can apply as early as Oct. 1, while all others will have to wait until Nov. 1, WJBC reports.<br />
<br />
In order to qualify for the program on the basis of income, a single person must report a monthly income no greater than $1,361. A two-person household's maximum monthly income can be $1,839.<br />
<br />
In 2011, the department's drafted 2012 plan reported that, of the eligible population of over 860,000 households, just over 60 percent utilized the program -- far exceeding their 35 percent service target. Despite this clear discrepancy, the department's proposed service target goal for 2012 remains fixed at 35 percent.<br />
<br />
CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-90235318625957182412011-08-23T11:21:00.000-05:002011-08-23T11:21:52.156-05:00National Energy Assistance Directors Association Appeal to the PresidentThe Honorable Barack Obama<br />
President of the United States<br />
The White House<br />
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue<br />
Washington, D.C. 20500<br />
<br />
Dear President Obama:<br />
<br />
On behalf of the state directors of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), we are writing to express our concern about your recent statement in Iowa that states have not been able to spend their full LIHEAP allocation. We would like to clarify the situation concerning unspent LIHEAP funds. <br />
First, LIHEAP is more than a heating program; it is also used to provide cooling assistance to low income families. This has been especially important this year as a result of extreme warm weather conditions in many parts of the country.<br />
Second, while the winter heating season is over, many states are running cooling programs and other emergency assistance programs that will run through September 30, 2011. We recently surveyed the states and found that the remaining funds for FY 2011 are being used to pay for cooling bills this summer and emergency reconnections for families that have fallen behind on their bills due to loss of employment or other circumstances. In fact, the states are expecting to serve a record number of households this year, approaching nine million for the first time in the program¹s history.<br />
The state directors understand the need for deficit reduction; however, your proposal to cut the LIHEAP program to $2.5 billion (from $5.1 billion in FY<br />
2010) would require states to reduce the number of households served by as many as four million families. As we approach the beginning of the 2011-12 heating season, we believe that the number of households applying for assistance will remain at the nine million level, or could even move higher reflecting the continuing economic distress and high energy prices. As such, we respectfully request that you consider supporting LIHEAP at the FY 2010 funding level of $5.1 billion.<br />
As state officials, we hope that once the economy recovers, the number of households applying for assistance will return to the historical average of between 4.5 and 5.0 million families. However, the present need is significant and the existing funds are insufficient.<br />
Thank you for your consideration.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Jo-Ann Choate<br />
National Energy Assistance Directors' Association Chair<br />
CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-87125593249036253082011-08-04T17:10:00.000-05:002011-08-04T17:10:10.195-05:00Energy Insecurity is a Major Threat to Child HealthAugust 2 was National Fuel Funds Network LIHEAP Action Day in Washington D.C. Advocates from across the country met with Congressional Staffers to discuss the importance of full funding for LIHEAP. Make sure your voice is heard.<br />
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<a __untrusted="true" href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalfuelfunds.org%2FAdvocacyPublicPolicy%2Fstovall%2520statement%2520summer%2520action%25202011.pdf&h=bAQDMIzJuAQAsVyWROqvYYvJEIn27TvRO7gu_yYMAC5sspw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #3b5998;">http://www.nationalfuelfunds.o<wbr></wbr>rg/AdvocacyPublicPolicy/stoval<wbr></wbr>l%20statement%20summer%20actio<wbr></wbr>n%202011.p</span></strong></a> <br />
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<strong>Message for conservatives</strong>: Want to reduce costly taxpayer paid emergency room visits of uninsured and under insured children? <strong>Support full funding for LIHEAP!</strong> <br />
<br />
According to Children's HeathWatch, young children in energy insecure homes are at high risk for food insecurity, poor health, <u>hospitalizations</u>, and developmental delays.CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-39445170765679191472011-07-21T14:30:00.000-05:002011-07-21T14:30:45.405-05:00ELIMINATING FOOD DESERTS IN CHICAGO<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a big advocate for the eradication of food deserts in Chicago, announced today that Walgreens will add or expand food choices in 40 of its retail stores located in neighborhoods identified as food deserts. Source:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crain’s Chicago Business Midday Report<o:p></o:p></span>CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-10250232171259410272011-07-08T16:24:00.002-05:002011-08-11T10:44:56.894-05:00THUMBS UP FOR GOVERNOR QUINN!The following letter was sent to all US Governors requesting a "sign-on" for full-funding for FY 2012 LIHEAP. Illinois' Governor Pat Quinn is one of the first 7 governors to sign-on. We urge all Community Action Agencies to encourage their governors to sign before the July 11 deadline.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Chairman Inouye, Ranking Member Cochran, Chairman Rogers, and Ranking Member Dicks:</span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you work to finalize funding levels for FY 2012, we urge you to provide at least $5.1 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the most recent level authorized by Congress. Given the continuing challenges facing our economy, this program remains an essential lifeline to those vulnerable households struggling to pay home energy bills. As Governors who have had to make cuts in our own state budgets, we appreciate the tight budgetary climate Congress faces. We believe that – consistent with Congress’s budgetary constraints – this $5.1 billion allocation can be met through reduced spending for other, less critical, federal programs. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">LIHEAP extends seasonal grants to help low-income families and seniors pay their heating and cooling bills. LIHEAP payments serve as “bridges,” allowing households to avoid shutoffs so that they do not have to make the difficult choice between paying for home energy bills or other necessities, such as prescription drugs or food. As Governors, we have worked to ameliorate the volatile nature of home energy costs to our most vulnerable residents by authorizing significant state contributions to emergency relief funds or supplementing existing state-federal programs.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">High rates of unemployment and foreclosures have forced record numbers of Americans, many for the first time, to seek out LIHEAP assistance. The program currently helps 8.9 million struggling families heat their homes, a 35 percent increase since 2008. LIHEAP funding also provides critical cooling assistance for vulnerable populations, especially the elderly, many of who are on fixed incomes. According to the CDC, heat waves are one of the most dangerous weather-related exposures. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Contrary to recent assertions that sustained LIHEAP funding is unnecessary because fuel costs have declined from highs in 2008, prices for many fuels exceed 2008 levels. For example, in the first three months of 2011, the average price of home heating oil was 5.5 percent higher than the comparable period in 2008, and the price is expected to continue to climb. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that the average annual price in 2011 will exceed 2008 prices by 12 percent for home heating oil, almost 5 percent for propane, and 5 percent for electricity. For 2012, the projected annual average price increases over 2008 are even greater: 22 percent for home heating oil, 13.5 percent for propane, and 5 percent for electricity. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reducing funding for LIHEAP to under $2.6 billion would endanger the heating assistance received by additional 3.1 million households nationwide who have been able to receive aid under current funding levels. Given the extent of the program’s current utilization, price increases for a number of fuels, and the expected fuel price increases for this winter, reducing LIHEAP funding at this time would cause considerable harm. </span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We greatly appreciate your continued commitment to helping our neediest families. We hope that you take this opportunity to actively support LIHEAP by funding this critical program at $5.1 billion. </span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sincerely,</span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-18173667914289268992011-06-24T12:18:00.000-05:002011-06-24T12:18:04.916-05:00Emergency Assistance Available for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1jpY4kEksA/TgTFW-eSVTI/AAAAAAAAADA/4jALgOumpoU/s1600/Seniors_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1jpY4kEksA/TgTFW-eSVTI/AAAAAAAAADA/4jALgOumpoU/s320/Seniors_2011.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">CEDA has a great program that helps seniors and persons living with disabilities in emergency situations meet basic everyday needs. If you know of a senior or person with a disability who lives in suburban Cook County and is in need of immediate assistance, call your local CEDA location today (visit <a href="http://www.cedaorg.net/">http://www.cedaorg.net/</a> for locations) to learn how they may be eligible to receive up to $200 through The Relief Services Program.</span></div>CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-63914792981064914292011-03-18T09:01:00.000-05:002011-03-18T09:01:21.650-05:00Saving Community Action<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z-D0e39eJqs?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422685793289200962.post-26456227738014601152011-02-25T09:47:00.002-06:002011-02-25T10:03:31.974-06:00Save Community Action<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NT9kELcPARI/TWfNPQrYuEI/AAAAAAAAAC8/XVEnUnUrD6I/s1600/Seth_McCormick_01_0033_BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NT9kELcPARI/TWfNPQrYuEI/AAAAAAAAAC8/XVEnUnUrD6I/s320/Seth_McCormick_01_0033_BW.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Dear Congress:</span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">We are writing to express our deep concern about funding cuts in Community Services Block Grants (CSBG) that will be in both the administration’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2012 and House Bill H.R. 1 passed by the House of Representatives February 19, 2011. The Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA) understands the nation’s budget deficit requires immediate attention. We do not feel, however, that substantially reducing the CSBG grants will have any major impact. Further, we believe that such action will impede rather than assist the country’s economic recovery.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Community action programs serve as the major vehicle by which our most vulnerable citizens receive vital services which assist them on the path toward economic stability. Community action programs created and retained 18,432 jobs over the past two years of which 525 were created and retained by CEDA.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">CEDA is one of the 1,065 community action agencies in the United States. In FY 2010, CEDA assisted 240,000 households in Cook County, Illinois through a variety of services. CEDA has a network that includes Head Start centers, Women, Infant and Children (WIC) centers, LIHEAP and Home Weatherization partnerships and University joint projects. Moreover, every CSBG dollar is multiplied by 57 times over in private and other public funding. Our Head Start program leverages $7.00 for every $1.00 in federal government funding.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">As you recall, the President stated in his State of the Union Address, “I recognize that some in this chamber have already proposed deeper cuts, and I’m willing to eliminate whatever we can honestly afford to do without. But let’s make sure that we’re not doing it on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Reduction in CSBG funding will seriously damage already scarce community resources and will have a devastating impact.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">CEDA, its Board of Directors and the 240,000 constituents we assist within the Cook County legislative districts, respectfully request that you vote to oppose any reductions in CSBG and support retaining full funding for Head Start, LIHEAP, Home Weatherization and all programs administered by Community Action Agencies</span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Respectfully,</span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Honorable Seth D. McCormick, Jr.</span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;">Chairperson, CEDA Board of Directors</span>CEDAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09088075879441166425noreply@blogger.com1