Examining Government Regulations Free Essays

Western Maine Community Action (WMCA) is operated under the direction of an elected and appointed Board of Directors. This Board of Directors not only has to adhere to the Bylaws of WMCA, but also to various rules and regulations set forth by state and federal government. These rules and regulations are required in order for WMCA to receive funding for the programs they offer to their clients. We will write a custom essay sample on Examining Government Regulations or any similar topic only for you Order Now The program that I have chosen to research government regulations on is Western Maine Community Actions’ Energy Housing Program, focusing specifically on the housing portion of the program. Although there are numerous rules, regulations and standards that apply to those seeking assistance, U. S. Title 42, Chapter 119, Section 11408, Homeless Assistance, indicates that assistance can be granted based on one or all of the following; prevention assistance for families at risk of becoming homeless, assisting families in providing them permanent housing, or, offering direct emergency assistance. The family must be in jeopardy of having lost or losing adequate night-time residence. Funding for assisting families is limited and is based on a percentage of appropriated funds, as well as community population. In order for Western Maine Community Action to be eligible to receive grant monies to continue to offer this program, a very detailed application must be filled out and agreement made that WMCA will involve the individual(s) and or families through employment, volunteer services and in some case rehabilitation. Application submission must include the following documents; work plan, budget, board membership list by sector and an updated financial procedures manual. Community Services Block Grants is also a funding organization that Western Maine Community Action relies on for the funding of the Energy and Housing Program. The CSBG rules were adopted to provide a consistent statewide guideline for the use of federal funds which are appropriated under the Community Services Block Grant Act of 1981. The rules establish funding and program requirements for the designated recipients. In order to be eligible for this grant, WMCA agrees to an agency-wide audit, which means a financial audit of all agency funds, restricted and unrestricted at the end of their fiscal year. The financial audit must consist of an auditor’s report, statement of support, which are revenue and expenses and any changes that have been made in fund balances. Appropriate notes must be made on financial statements as well as a schedule of grant revenues, expenses and changes made to balances. Once grant funding has been released to WMCA, there must be a comprehensive plan in place for the intent of fund usage and the plan must include a range of services and activities with a measureable impact on the causes and conditions of the poverty level in the particular service area, to advocate for the client(s) to secure and retain employment; to offer opportunities for the client to attain an adequate education, continue to assist clients in obtaining and maintaining adequate housing and a suitable living environment, to name a few of the programs the Agency is to offer through this grant. Federal and State mandates are becoming more and more stringent with the current state of the economy. Many times programs, such as the ones that WMCA offer within their service area, are held accountable for the funding they are granted. Often times, programs to assist the needy have to be offered during certain times of the year because of the demand for services and cap on the amount of funding available. Federal and State agencies help in many other ways besides just housing. Programs such as immunizations for children, assistance in transportation, childcare services, food programs, and these are just a sampling. With all these programs in place, funds must be allocated in order that help is provided for those needing. I believe that there are many citizens within a community that feel disconnected from their community therefore are not accessible to human service providers therefore it is a challenge when Federal of State Governments face when they try to address the current situation of inadequate housing and even homelessness. It is typical for middle class citizens to seek help when they most need it because they consider themselves as a failure to their family. The reality is that because of the current state of the economy they have fallen in to debt, and are no longer able to provide for their families as generously as previously done while living at the middle class level. This type of situation not only becomes stressful for the individual seeking the assistance, but puts strain nd stress on the relationships within the family unit. Individuals seeking and accepting assistance should understand that it is only on a temporary basis that help is being provided and is beneficial to their family. The reality would be that it would be more detrimental to the family if they did not have adequate food, shelter warmth, and medical/dental services and that we are here advocating for them. How to cite Examining Government Regulations, Essay examples Examining Government Regulations Free Essays The current government regulations I researched pertain to the clinical guidelines and the civil rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Portland, Oregon. Many people living with HIV/AIDS, at some point during their illness, find themselves in need of housing assistance and support services. Stable housing promotes improved health, sobriety or decreased use of alcohol and illegal drugs, and, for some, a return to paid employment and productive social activities. We will write a custom essay sample on Examining Government Regulations or any similar topic only for you Order Now As the number of people living with HIV/AIDS continues to grow in both urban and rural areas throughout the United States, stakeholders must find new ways to address their needs to promote the health and well-being of these individuals and their families. Increasingly, maximizing the resources available to people who need them requires partnering across mainstream housing and human services systems to ensure continuity of care, program efficiency, and that there is â€Å"no wrong door† to assistance for clients at risk. The United States Department of Health and Human Services recommended public health law reform as part of its Healthy People 2010 initiative. Public health law in many states is ripe for reform. Oregon state legislature has suggested that existing state statutes are ineffective in responding to contemporary health threats for many reasons. These statutes pre-date modern scientific and constitutional developments and lack adequate standards of privacy, due process, and risk assessment. Forty percent of Oregonians with HIV need housing assistance, and a survey of Oregon service agency representatives cited the lack of affordable housing as the number-one barrier to stability for Oregonians living with HIV/AIDS. Critical issues were identified and recommendations developed to improve the ability of these systems to cooperatively meet the housing and services needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in Oregon. The obstacles that would prevent me from meeting the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS are 1. Limited Awareness of Resources Dedicated to People Living with HIV/AIDS Many potential housing and services partners lack awareness or accurate knowledge of existing resources dedicated to, or which can be used to serve, people living with HIV/AIDS, and that lack of awareness may limit partnerships. 2. Confidentiality Concerns The need to maintain client confidentiality restricts the ways that OHOP housing coordinators and other organizations and individuals can publicize their activities and resources. . Limited Staff Capacity and Knowledge HIV Care and Treatment staff may lack familiarity with aspects of partner systems, including affordable housing, and have limited resources and time to conduct marketing and outreach to potential partners and planning bodies. Discrimination adds to the daily struggles faced by the growing number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States – people who are predominantly poor and disproportionately African American or Latino. Every agency’s biggest problems facing their clients involve meeting basic needs – coping with poverty, hunger, illiteracy, inadequate medical care, lack of transportation, and homelessness. In addition to those basic needs issues, people with HIV face a series of critical civil rights problems. Individuals living with HIV/AIDS need to know their rights and need the resources to advocate for themselves when their rights are threatened. They also need national legal organizations like the ACLU AIDS Project to enforce their civil rights and civil liberties through litigation, public education and legislative advocacy. Recommendations: †¢ Develop simple, discreet material to publicize OHOP and related services and opportunities, and distribute it widely. †¢ Present to current and potential partners, including faith-based and community-based grass roots organizations with information tailored to their interests. †¢ Engage provider agency staff, clients, and other regional participants in publicizing the need, opportunity, and benefits of investing in housing and services for people living with HIV/AIDS. †¢ Focus attention on improving coordination with planning, data, and other elements of homeless systems. †¢ Promote Shelter Care and other bonus projects through agreements to streamline or share sponsor administrative costs. †¢ Conduct outreach and seek partnerships with landlords and property managers. Oregon Housing and Opportunities in Partnership (OHOP) Program Many people living with HIV/AIDS find themselves in need of housing assistance and support services at so me point during their illness. As many as 60 percent of all persons living with HIV/AIDS report a lifetime experience of homelessness or housing instability. Stable housing promotes improved health, sobriety or decreased use of alcohol and illegal drugs, and, for some people living with HIV/AIDS, a return to paid employment and productive social activities. The federal Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program provides funding, distributed by both formula and competition, dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. This funding is not only necessary but critical to have the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS met adequately. How to cite Examining Government Regulations, Papers