Dear Member of Congress,

As you engage in discussions about the Fiscal Year 2016 appropriations process, Catholic
Charities USA (CCUSA) urges you to keep the poor in mind. As you know, 45 million of our
brothers and sisters are counted as living in poverty. CCUSA represents one of the largest
faith-based social service networks in the country, operating more than 2,500 service sites in
54 states and territories spanning from Guam to Maine, and we hear the stories of those who
rely on supportive programs to make ends meet every day.
While Catholic Charities agencies work every day to assist families in poverty, we cannot end
poverty by ourselves far from it. Building a society in which everyone has the opportunity
to achieve their full potential requires all of us government, business, and non-profits alike
to commit to supporting those in need on their journey out of poverty.
Episcopal Liaison
The Most Reverend
David A. Zubik, D.D.
Bishop of Pittsburgh
Chair
Sr. Linda Yankoski
Vice Chair
Marguerite Harmon

As you discuss appropriations, particularly around Labor, Health and Human Services, and
Education, we ask you to keep in mind the support provided by programs under your
jurisdiction that serve vulnerable populations across our nation. These are not the only
programs that provide support to those in need, but robustly supporting the following areas
will strengthen our nations ability to welcome in the poor, disenfranchised, and marginalized,
and enable them to more fully participate in our economy and society.

Child Welfare Services enable a range of supportive services including foster care,
guardianship, community-based family support, family preservation, family reunification,
adoption promotion and support, education and training, and transition assistance, and
more. This type of funding is crucial in supporting families and strengthening
communities.

Child Care funding plays a critical role in allowing low-income families to place their
children in safe and nurturing learning environments. We ask you to increase funding to
an adequate level that will allow for full implementation of the essential reforms included
in the November 2014 bi-partisan reauthorization of the Child Care and Development
Block Grant. While child care funding was increased the last fiscal year, states could still
be forced to cut the number of children receiving child care assistance if additional funds
are not allocated.

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) provides assistance to states to fund

services in community-based organizations including employment services, education,
housing, health, and nutrition programs.

Employment and Training programs are essential as the economy continues to

recover. Low-skilled and under-educated workers are in need of a hand up in ensuring
they are able to be competitive applicants in the job market.

Head Start and Early Head Start help break the cycle of poverty by providing young
children of low-income families with a comprehensive program to meet their emotional,
social, health, nutritional and psychological needs. Congress should continue investing in
this program by addressing the rising costs faced by the program.

Secretary
Elida El-Gawly
Treasurer
Charles Cornelio
President Elect
Sr. Donna Markham, OP, PhD

Episcopal Liaison
The Most Reverend
David A. Zubik, D.D.
Bishop of Pittsburgh
Chair
Sr. Linda Yankoski
Vice Chair
Marguerite Harmon
Secretary
Elida El-Gawly
Treasurer
Charles Cornelio
President Elect
Sr. Donna Markham, OP, PhD

Health Care and Mental Health access should be available to every American. Even
with the Affordable Care Act, many low-income families struggle to cover all the costs
associated with receiving health care, particularly mental health care. Congress should
strengthen access to affordable health care and mental health services.

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides vital assistance to lowincome individuals and families to assist with the cost of utilities. Many areas in the
nation have experienced record-breaking cold, and heating assistance received through
LIHEAP can make the critical difference.

Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) funds enable crucial programs that assist children,
youth, the homeless, the physically and mentally challenged, the elderly, low-income
families and those who are at risk or are being abused. Congress should reject proposals
that would eliminate funding for this critical funding source.

Refugee Resettlement and Migration Assistance assists refugees and other special
populations in obtaining economic social self-sufficiency in the United States. When
refugees come to our nation, resettlement agencies in assist families with finding a home,
jobs, learning English, and integrating in their new communities.

Services to seniors provide important preventative health services, respite care, home
delivered nutrition, congregate dining, home and community-based supportive services
employment and other supportive services to elderly Americans. Funding for senior
programs has been flat for several years with no adjustment for inflation; therefore, we
ask for appropriate funding increases to senior programs funded by the Older Americans
Act.

So many of us have been inspired by the example of Pope Francis and his summons to put
an end to an "economy of exclusion." We believe this is a goal that those on both sides of the
political aisle can work towards, and look forward to engaging in these ongoing
conversations about how to best make that vision a reality.
Sincerely,
Brian R. Corbin
Sr. Vice President, Social Policy
Catholic Charities USA