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The email I sent last night did not go through properly. Apologies. Here is the text of the FRAC email and their invitation to the national conference call. This is a VERY important call if you can make it. 

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Earlier today, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) introduced his budget proposal for FY2012. While details are still emerging, the proposal would convert SNAP (food stamps) into a block grant.

FRAC has issued this statement: 

The NEXT Coalition meeting is Tuesday, March 29th from 10 to Noon at St Francis House. We will be joined at the meeting by the newly appointed FNS New England Regional SNAP Director, Bonnie Brathwaite. Bonnie has been the SNAP Deputy Director at NERO for three years before this appointment, and has worked on a range of USDA anti-hunger programs over the years. It will be terrific to have her join in the discussion and hear from Coalition members.

A preliminary Coalition agenda includes:

1. FS SNAP Recertification Delays: DTA issued guidance that effective March 1st BEACON will automatically close Food Stamp/SNAP cases due for recertification that DTA cannot process on time - even if the household submitted its recertification form on time and did everything else it was requested to do. Here’s the DTA Operations Memo instructing staff on the auto closure policy: http://www.masslegalservices.org/node/35698.

In follow up to this AM's Food SNAP Coalition meeting, below and attached is the announcement of the Homelessness Safety Net Lobby Day from the Family Economic Initiative:

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD TO YOUR NETWORKS!

Homelessness Safety Net Lobby Day

Wednesday, March 2, from 12-3, State House, Room A-1

Background:

Under Governor Patrick's proposed budget for FY 2012, over 60% of homeless children and their parents with no other safe place to stay would be denied access to emergency shelter through the state's Emergency Assistance (EA) program.