wfn.org | ELCA Seeks Government Funding for Service Providers

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 16, 2003

ELCA SEEKS GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS
03-126-JAC*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In a letter to members of Congress, Kay A.
Bengston, assistant director for domestic policy, Lutheran Office for
Governmental Affairs (LOGA), Washington, D.C., asked for the restoration
of the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) to its peak level of $2.8
billion.  LOGA is the federal public policy advocacy office of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
     The SSBG was created in the 1980s under the Reagan Administration,
said Bengston.	The grant provided as much as $2.8 billion per year to
provide states with flexible funding to be used in programs such as
child care, mental health care, rehabilitation programs, meal programs
and more.
     Because of recent federal tax cuts, domestic programs are facing
large cutbacks, said Bengston.	"The president isn't going to support
$2.8 billion," she said, referring to the funding level of the grant.
     The funding level for the SSBG is $1.7 billion a year, down from
approximately $2.38 billion each of the years from 1996-2000.
     Many faith-based service organizations benefit from the SSBG
including Lutheran social services agencies, the largest providers of
human services in the nation, said Bengston.
     "The church has partnered with government for a long time to
support these programs," she said.  "When the state doesn't pay
adequately, it's very hard for those providing services."
     Raising the SSBG back up to $2.8 billion would provide the funding
necessary for programs to continue important services for a wide range
of people, Bengston said.
     LOGA provides a voice in government through phone calls,
briefings, gathering and compiling information and more, she said.
"Advocates speak for those who can't speak for themselves," she said.
-- -- --
     Further information about LOGA can be found at www.loga.org on the
Web.

* Jessica A. Crane is completing her bachelor of arts degree at
Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.  This summer she is an intern with
ELCA News and Media production.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html