|
MAACS Advocacy
MAAC
Advocates on Behalf of Low-Income Utility Customers
MAAC Advocates
for Social Service Providers
MAAC
Brings Public Attention to Issues Affecting Low-Income and Homeless
Citizens
MAAC's Annual Statistical
Report
Advocating for Homeless
Services
----------------------------------------------------------------------
MAAC
Advocates on Behalf of Low-Income Utility Customers
Mid America Assistance
Coalition (MAAC) is involved in two efforts to assist low-income citizens
with their utility bills--"Committee to Keep Missourians Warm"
(CKMW) and National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN).
MAAC participates
in the CKMW as a representative of the needs of low-income citizens
in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Other members of the CKMW represent
utility companies operating in Missouri, government agencies such as
the Office of Public Counsel and the Department of Natural Resources,
social service agencies, and public-interest groups.
The purpose of the
committee is to advocate for protection of low-income customers who
are vulnerable to loss of energy during critical times of the year,
especially during extreme cold and extreme hot weather. The committee
meets monthly in Jefferson City to hear and discuss the latest government
funding and legislation that impact the availability of resources. Committee
members offer comments and views representative of their constituents.
The committee is currently concerned with the following issues:
- Obtaining continued
funding for the federal LIHEAP program for future years.
- The inclusion
of energy protections for low-income customers in any electric restructuring
legislation currently being considered by the state legislature.
- Continuation
of funding for utility assistance from the State of Missouri UtiliCare
program.
Another way that
MAAC advocates on behalf of low-income utility customers is through
the efforts of the NFFN. NFFN is a national organization that promotes
energy assistance funding programs, such as Kansas City's Dollar Aide,
Energy Aid, and Neighbors Helping Neighbors programs. The members of
this organization raise and distribute money for bill-payment assistance
around the country. For more information about this organization, visit
its Web site at www.nationalfuelfunds.org.
MAAC
Advocates for Social Service Providers
MAAC represents
social service providers in dealings with local, state, and national
government and regulatory officials.
MAAC helped mobilize
emergency assistance agencies to oppose the City of Kansas City's licensing
of food pantries. Social service agencies successfully blocked this
costly and unnecessary requirement.
MAAC represents
low-income utility assistance providers on the Missouri Public Service
Commission's Natural Gas task force, to recommend ways to avert future
crises in home heating bill increases.
MAAC
Brings Public Attention to Issues Affecting Low-Income and Homeless
Citizens
MAAC is a source
of information for local media and public policy makers. MAAC's ability
to represent the broad interests of social service providers makes it
an important resource for local radio, television and print media. MAAC
serves on the Professional Cabinet of the Local Investment Commission
and other task forces related to low-income issues.
MAAC's
Annual Statistical Report
Information from
more than 200 social service agencies is compiled in MAAC's Annual
Statistical Report on Emergency Assistance and Homeless Services.
Agency directors, program directors, public policy makers, and funders
use this report to direct resources appropriately.
Advocating
for Homeless Services
MAAC houses the
independent 501(c)(3) Homeless
Services Coalition and provides its administrative support. The
Homeless Services Coalition is comprised of more than 80 social service
agencies serving the broad needs of the area's homeless citizens. The
Homeless Services Coalition has adopted MAACLink as the community's
Homeless Management Information System for documenting services along
the continuum of care.
|