Elisabeth Arenales, CCLP Health Policy Director, wins prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Community Health Leadership Award

In June 2006, Elisabeth Arenales, CCLP's Health Policy Director, was one of 10 people across the nation to win the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Community Health Leadership Award.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) initiated the Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Program (CHLP) in 1991 to recognize individuals' contributions to improving health and health care in their communities. The program is ongoing. Through $120,000 awards to their organizations, CHLP honors unsung and unusually resourceful people working in communities across the country to improve access to health care, and both the health and local health conditions of often disenfranchised populations.

CHLP's working definition of health, established in 1993, is derived from the holistic one used by the World Health Organization, which includes physical, emotional, mental and spiritual elements. Thus, domestic violence, environmental pollution, poor housing, and urban violence all come into play as relevant threats to health under this definition. CHLP's vision also recognizes that social and economic stability, along with educational investments, directly impact the health of a community. CHLP also recognizes the role that advocacy plays in health promotion.

Elisabeth and CCLP believe that Colorado's health advocacy community is rich with people deserving recognition for their tireless efforts to guarantee access to quality health care for all Coloradans. In particular, CCLP and Elisabeth would like to recognize the leadership of Lorez Meinhold and the efforts of her organization, the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative.

To honor the fact that successes are never achieved in isolation, the Colorado Center on Law & Policy and Elisabeth will share the $120,000 RWJF award equally with the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. For more information on CCHI, visit their website at www.cohealthinitiative.org .

Click here to see the June 22, 2006 Rocky Mountain News Article about Elisabeth, CCHI and the Robert Wood Johnson Award.

CCLP was chosen as one of 12 organizations to undertake a new expanding nonprofit inclusiveness initiative (ENII) organized by the Denver Foundation

The Expanding Nonprofit Inclusiveness Initiative (ENII) is being funded in part and directed by the Denver Foundation. They chose 12 local organizations of different mission, size and history to complete a two-year, extensive project to increase inclusiveness in the non-profit community.

CCLP believes that if policies are to create stronger communities more adept at enhancing self-sufficiency and eliminating structural poverty, then multiple perspectives from the community must permeate every aspect of policy development – from research and advocacy to implementation and outreach and, finally, to oversight and evaluation. CCLP has also become more sensitive to concerns that striving for “objectivity,” “credibility,” “balance” and “equality” – necessary goals for most policy advocacy/research organizations – may in fact mask oppressive biases that hinder our effectiveness, our power to influence public policy and to achieve our ultimate goals.

CCLP will participate in the Initiative through 2007 and will keep you posted on our challenges and successes along the way.

LEGISLATION

The First Special Session of 2006 has ended, but the fallout has just begun. CCLP is working with the National Immigration Law Center and others to conduct a thorough legal analysis of HBS06-1023 the bill to deny state services to undocumented immigrants. Look for it later this month.

In addition, CCLP is working with local and state Departments and service providers across the state to determine the effect the legislation will have on low-income families, and the people who hope to serve them.

See CCLP Executive Director Maureen S. Farrell's guest editorial about the legislation in the Rocky Mountain News, Saturday July 15, 2006. Rocky Mountain News: Opinion

NEW ISSUE BRIEFS

June Revenue Forecast (June 2006) The most recent revenue forecasts show strong revenue growth. This issue brief walks through the Legislative Council forecast and demonstrates how greater general fund growth means more money for transportation and capital construction.

The JBC 2006-2007 Appropriations Report is now available. Get a copy at the JBC Offices or download at http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/jbc/FY06-07apprept.pdf

SEIZE THE INITIATIVE

The Colorado Center on Law and Policy, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, Colorado Common Cause and Bell Policy Center recently hosted a training for nonprofits on ballot initiatives. If you missed it, but would like to receive the information, contact Rita Young at 303-573-5669 ext. 307 ryoung@cclponline.org. You can also contact the Consumer Health Initiative at 303-839-1262, www.cohealthinitiative.org or Common Cause at 303-292-2163 or colorado@commoncause.org.

FEDERAL BUDGET UPDATE

The Senate Line-Item Veto Proposal (July 2006) This fact sheet covers the basic problems with the line-item veto proposal currently under consideration by the US Senate.

COLORADO BENEFITS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Litigation
The CBMS litigation is ongoing. The June 5th 2006 trial date was vacated with no new trial date set.

CBMS Hotline
The 1-800 number that the Colorado Center on Law and Policy has staffed for over one year is closed. Clients and service providers who need help accessing benefits should call the following state hotlines:

For problems with public assistance, food stamps or cash assistance: 1-800-536-5298. Spanish and English-speaking operators are available M-F 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except state holidays.

For  problems with Medicaid/CHP+: 1-800-221-3943 or 303-866-3513 (Denver metro)

Training for Advocates
Clients are still experiencing delays and problems accessing benefits. The Center understands the burden placed on service providers and advocates who are attempting to assist them and has hosted two training sessions on CBMS and client advocacy. If you missed these trainings but would like the information, please contact Rita Young and 303-573-5669 ext. 307 or Muriel Arvay, CBMS Coordinator, at extension 308.

The Center extends its gratitude to all the staff and volunteers assisting with the case.

CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND HELPFUL ONLINE RESOURCES.