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Advocacy is an important element of serving those in need. We are responsible for giving voice to those who are not heard, For seeking social justice and for empowering people. You can make a difference in the lives of the people we serve by participating in events, becoming and ambassador, or by using your voice.
Make a difference today and contact your local legislators about the following issues to help childeren and families in need. Click on our resources page for tips and sample letters you can use.
Identified Key Issues
- Maintain and Expand Funding for HOPES/Healthy Families Iowa Program
It is time to facilitate and encourage Empowerment areas to enhance the quality of family support through home visits by moving toward the evidence-based HOPES model. This will require additional training and technical assistance.
- Family Investment Program (FIP) Basic Grants (Barnabas Uplift)
Iowa's FIP Grants have not been adjusted since 1989 - 18 fiscal years' The FIP Grant should be adjusted with at least a 10% increase. FIP Grant levels should be adjusted for inflation regularly, as an additional step in assisting struggling families to improve their family position as they work themselves off of the welfare system.
- Rate Increase to Child Welfare Providers
Provider rates should be adjusted with at least an annual inflation adjustment as public and private worker salaries continue to increase.
Public Policy
- Public Policy Council
• LSI has a state public policy advocacy position funded in part through the ELCA.
• Lyle Krewson, LSI’s social justice advocate, works at the Capitol to lobby around issues that affect those LSI serves, while continuing to address state and national advocacy issues centered around social justice.
- State Public Policy Council
• LSI also has a state public policy council that helps to offer leadership and direction focused on LSI’s advocacy issues.
• Currently this committee is developing a Bible study centered around the ELCA’s social statement: “Sufficient and Sustainable livelihood for all.” This is just one of LSI’s efforts to help congregational members better understand important poverty issues.
State Public Policy Advisory Board
Volunteer Info
Lyle Krewson, Director of Social Justice Advocacy
lyle.krewson@lsiowa.org
515-238-7713
Rev. Jim Knudson, church relations coordinator
jim.knudson@lsiowa.org
319-859-3531
Ways You Can Help
We encourage you to consider ways that you help LSI advocate and care for those in need in our communities and throughout the state of Iowa. As God commands each of us to love and care for our neighbor in need, advocating for those in need is certainly a way to carry out this important work.
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