I encourage you to support HB 484, with Delegate Dan Helmer as patron. This legislation exempts from mandatory participation in the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families those enrolled full-time in an accredited public institution of higher education or other postsecondary school licensed or certified by the Board of Education or the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and are taking courses as part of a curriculum that leads to a postsecondary credential, such as a degree or an industry-recognized credential, certification, or license. Passing this legislation would make moving off welfare into the workforce a much easier task, which would be a win-win for both those receiving TANF and taxpayers. Post-secondary education, GED, vocational education, and most credentialing programs, as well as apprenticeships, require more than 24 months for the screening, access and completion process. Eliminating the two-year limit is the right thing to do. Preparing adult TANF recipients for jobs to fully support their families should be a primary goal for Virginia. Attaining this goal would be a win-win for both TANF recipients and taxpayers. However, the current two-year time limit on the continuous receipt of TANF benefits is an impediment, making that goal unattainable.

As a SALT (Social Action Linking Together) and Cornerstones advocate, I encourage you to support HB 484, with Delegate Dan Helmer as patron. This legislation exempts from mandatory participation in the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families those enrolled full-time in an accredited public institution of higher education or other postsecondary school licensed or certified by the Board of Education or the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and are taking courses as part of a curriculum that leads to a postsecondary credential, such as a degree or an industry-recognized credential, certification, or license. Passing this legislation would make moving off welfare into the workforce a much easier task, which would be a win-win for both those receiving TANF and taxpayers. Post-secondary education, GED, vocational education, and most credentialing programs, as well as apprenticeships, require more than 24 months for the screening, access and completion process. Eliminating the two-year limit is the right thing to do. Preparing adult TANF recipients for jobs to fully support their families should be a primary goal for Virginia. Attaining this goal would be a win-win for both TANF recipients and taxpayers. However, the current two-year time limit on the continuous receipt of TANF benefits is an impediment, making that goal unattainable. Regards, Sarah Newman

As a SALT (Social Action Linking Together) advocate, I encourage you to support HB 484, with Delegate Dan Helmer as patron. This legislation exempts from mandatory participation in the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families those enrolled full-time in an accredited public institution of higher education or other postsecondary school licensed or certified by the Board of Education or the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and are taking courses as part of a curriculum that leads to a postsecondary credential, such as a degree or an industry-recognized credential, certification, or license. Passing this legislation would make moving off welfare into the workforce a much easier task, which would be a win-win for both those receiving TANF and taxpayers. Post-secondary education, GED, vocational education, and most credentialing programs, as well as apprenticeships, require more than 24 months for the screening, access and completion process. Eliminating the two-year limit is the right thing to do. Preparing adult TANF recipients for jobs to fully support their families should be a primary goal for Virginia. Attaining this goal would be a win-win for both TANF recipients and taxpayers. However, the current two-year time limit on the continuous receipt of TANF benefits is an impediment, making that goal unattainable. Most of us recognize the importance of education to the full realization of our potentials. This is a win for each individual that grasps this opportunity even if never used for employment. Even more, when this opportunity results in more fulfilled persons and a more productive citizenry, we all will be the better for it.

As a SALT (Social Action Linking Together) advocate, I encourage you to support HB 484, with Delegate Dan Helmer as patron. This legislation exempts from mandatory participation in the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families those enrolled full-time in an accredited public institution of higher education or other postsecondary school licensed or certified by the Board of Education or the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and are taking courses as part of a curriculum that leads to a postsecondary credential, such as a degree or an industry-recognized credential, certification, or license. Passing this legislation would make moving off welfare into the workforce a much easier task, which would be a win-win for both those receiving TANF and taxpayers. Post-secondary education, GED, vocational education, and most credentialing programs, as well as apprenticeships, require more than 24 months for the screening, access and completion process. Eliminating the two-year limit is the right thing to do. Preparing adult TANF recipients for jobs to fully support their families should be a primary goal for Virginia. Attaining this goal would be a win-win for both TANF recipients and taxpayers. However, the current two-year time limit on the continuous receipt of TANF benefits is an impediment, making that goal unattainable. Regards, Mike Gillotte

I encourage you to support HB 484, with Delegate Dan Helmer as patron. This legislation exempts from mandatory participation in the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families those enrolled full-time in an accredited public institution of higher education or other postsecondary school licensed or certified by the Board of Education or the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and are taking courses as part of a curriculum that leads to a postsecondary credential, such as a degree or an industry-recognized credential, certification, or license. Passing this legislation would make moving off welfare into the workforce a much easier task, which would be a win-win for both those receiving TANF and taxpayers.

I SUPPORT HB 388, 481, 484, 538, 877, 878, 1012, 1105, 1106, 1211, 1329, and 1342. Also, I object to the language used to describe non-citizens - the word "alien" is dehumanizing and I suggest retiring it permanently when referring to non-citizens. I OPPOSE HB 937 and 1359. It is everybody's right to control their own fertility and to NOT be forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term. Both of these bills directly or indirectly undermine that right.

Chairman Orrock HWI & Members: Vote yes for HB 484! SALT 1300 members enthusiastically Support Delegate Helmer’s bill HB 484. HB 484 is a SALT Priority Issue: is to Reform the TANF. The Elimination of the 2-year cliff –would make it possible to better provide TANF parents with opportunities for job training and education to access real jobs that provide opportunities to leave welfare and to be self-sufficient without the need to return to the welfare rolls—in short, to become independent tax payers; Not Tax users. The goal of TANF must be to: convert welfare from a “ dead-end job factory” into “ a Second chance “ for Virginia families. As the past, Deputy Director of Family Services in another state, I know the value of HB 484, so that when we hired welfare recipients, with learned that with additional training they became excellent case management employees with the added benefit of far less turnover. Virginia’s current two-year TANF time limit requires modification in order to accommodate those attempting to move out of poverty via education and training programs. Post-secondary education, GED, vocational education, and most credentialing programs, as well as apprenticeships, require more than 24 months for the screening, access and completion process. Eliminating the two-year limit is the right thing to do. Preparing adult TANF recipients for jobs to fully support their families should be a primary goal for Virginia. Attaining this goal would be a win-win for both TANF recipients and taxpayers. However, the current two-year time limit on the continuous receipt of TANF benefits is an impediment, making that goal unattainable. Vote yes for HB 484! John Horejsi jhorejsi@cox.net ---MORE--- Time limit on TANF Benefits • Virginia’s TANF program was established in 1995. • Virginia’s 24-month time limit applies only to TANF recipients subject to work requirements. It does not apply to non-parents (40% of cases), for example. • 79% of former recipients who have exhausted their TANF eligibility have income at or below poverty line; 35% have income below 50% of the Poverty level. • TANF Recommendations: • Education and skills training should be provided to permit adult caretakers to attain their highest practical functional level and, where possible, to achieve self-sufficiency. • Meaningful exemptions to the state 24-month time limit on cash assistance should be provided for parents who are unable to find employment that pays wages at least equal to the poverty line or who lose such employment through no fault of their own.

HB 484 is a SALT Priority Issue: which is to Reform the TANF. The Elimination of the 2-year cliff –would make it possible to better provide TANF parents with opportunities for job training and education to access real jobs that provide opportunities to leave welfare and to be self-sufficient without the need to return to the welfare rolls—in short, to become independent tax payers; Not Tax users. The goal of TANF must be to: convert welfare from a “ dead-end job factory” into “ a Second chance “ for Virginia families. As the past, Deputy Director of Family Services in another state, I know the value of HB 484, so that when we hired welfare recipients, with learned that with additional training they became excellent case management employees with the added benefit of far less turnover. Vote yes for HB 484!

We need to humanize our people. Bring back The US Consistition Allpw everyone TO HEAL

HB 668 is a bill to provide oversight for the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitation (VCBR), a mental health facility under the umbrella of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). VCBR should not be left out of the transparency requirements which DBHDS places on the other state facilities it oversees. With a goal of safe release into the community, abuses within any mental health facility will only create instability and impaired mental health. There have been suspicious suicides and deaths over the last few years at VCBR which have not been accurately reported to the DBHDS or any other required state agencies. In addition, the mistreatment and mismanagement during the pandemic resulted in a death rate higher than any other DBHDS facility. Reports of abuse, mistreatment, mismanagement, and misappropriation of funds are rampant. Any reports from the public or "residents" to the State Inspector General as well as DBHDS are largely ignored. A present goal for the new administration in the Commonwealth is complete transparency as well as improvement of mental health treatment. As a facility of DBHDS, VCBR must be included with all other facilities to meet these goals. Legislators have a responsibility to all citizens to provide that safety and transparency.. Information about any incidents at VCBR, as well as all other DBHDS facilities, should be reported and the administration be held accountable. Please support HB 668

I would like to speak-AMY Lee Story

I would like to speak please -Amy Lee Story

Comments Document

HB688 (Mandatory Outpatient) as written would not have prevented Cho and Virginia Tech 2006.