Press release
African (Oromo) Community Briefed on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Changes
December 10, 2011, WASHINGTON (oaa.dc.gov) – On Wednesday, November 30, 2011, the DC Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (OAA), in collaboration with the Oromo Community Organization (OCO), the DC Department of Human Services (DHS), and the DC Department of Healthcare Finance (DCHF) hosted a dynamic and well-attended information session to notify the African immigrant community on upcoming changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and to introduce the DC Healthcare Alliance program.
Over 90 individuals attended this session held in the OCO community room on 6212 3rd St. NW. The event was launched with a blessing from an elder and with warm welcomes by OCO’s Board President, Dr. Desta Yebassa, and Executive Secretary, Tsegaye Gelgelu, who expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn about DC government programs and initiatives.
DC Mayor’s Office on African Affairs Director, Ngozi Nmezi, offered opening remarks in which she expressed the need for continued outreach and collaboration with the diverse African communities in the District in order to better understand their specific challenges and serve them effectively. She further stressed the importance of being counted as residents of the District and encouraged participants to fill out the “We Count Initiative” survey designed to collect general demographics on the foreign –born African population in the District of Columbia.
Chief David Ross from DHS’ Income Maintenance Administration & Office of Performance & Monitoring then launched into a comprehensive presentation on the upcoming changes to the TANF program which involve a) the mandatory requirement to attend orientation to receive or maintain TANF benefits; b) the mandatory assessment by DHS staff to help customers identify needs and goals based on their personal situations, skills, and career objectives; and finally c) the new 5-year time limit to receiving benefits. Chief Ross also explained the rationale behind the changes, their potential impact, and TANF eligibility requirements.
Associate Director of the DC Healthcare Finance Division of Eligibility Policy, Mrs. Lucy Wilson-Kear, followed with a presentation on the DC Healthcare Alliance program, including eligibility requirements, and where and how to apply. Mrs. Wilson-Kear also highlighted the difference between the Alliance program and Medicaid, and encouraged participants to ask questions to determine which programs they would be eligible and best-suited for.
During the 1-hour long Q&A segment at the conclusion of the event, participants asked a host of questions on access to services: eligibility requirements, resources on jobs and opportunities for vocational training.
There was a palpable sense of connection, awareness, and new learning at this event. One thing everyone – presenters, organizers and participants alike – fervently agreed on by the end of the evening was the urgent need to bridge the gap between African immigrant communities and DC government agencies, as well as to arrive at an accurate count of foreign-born Africans in the area.
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, November 30, 2011, the DC Mayor’s Office on African Affairs (OAA), in collaboration with the Oromo Community Organization (OCO), the DC Department of Human Services (DHS), and the DC Department of Healthcare Finance (DCHF) hosted a dynamic and well-attended information session to notify the African immigrant community on upcoming changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and to introduce the DC Healthcare Alliance program.
Over 90 individuals attended this session held in the OCO community room on 6212 3rd St. NW. The event was launched with a blessing from an elder and with warm welcomes by OCO’s Board President, Dr. Desta Yebassa, and Executive Secretary, Tsegaye Gelgelu, who expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn about DC government programs and initiatives.
DC Mayor’s Office on African Affairs Director, Ngozi Nmezi, offered opening remarks in which she expressed the need for continued outreach and collaboration with the diverse African communities in the District in order to better understand their specific challenges and serve them effectively. She further stressed the importance of being counted as residents of the District and encouraged participants to fill out the “We Count Initiative” survey designed to collect general demographics on the foreign –born African population in the District of Columbia.
Chief David Ross from DHS’ Income Maintenance Administration & Office of Performance & Monitoring then launched into a comprehensive presentation on the upcoming changes to the TANF program which involve a) the mandatory requirement to attend orientation to receive or maintain TANF benefits; b) the mandatory assessment by DHS staff to help customers identify needs and goals based on their personal situations, skills, and career objectives; and finally c) the new 5-year time limit to receiving benefits. Chief Ross also explained the rationale behind the changes, their potential impact, and TANF eligibility requirements.
Associate Director of the DC Healthcare Finance Division of Eligibility Policy, Mrs. Lucy Wilson-Kear, followed with a presentation on the DC Healthcare Alliance program, including eligibility requirements, and where and how to apply. Mrs. Wilson-Kear also highlighted the difference between the Alliance program and Medicaid, and encouraged participants to ask questions to determine which programs they would be eligible and best-suited for.
During the 1-hour long Q&A segment at the conclusion of the event, participants asked a host of questions on access to services: eligibility requirements, resources on jobs and opportunities for vocational training.
There was a palpable sense of connection, awareness, and new learning at this event. One thing everyone – presenters, organizers and participants alike – fervently agreed on by the end of the evening was the urgent need to bridge the gap between African immigrant communities and DC government agencies, as well as to arrive at an accurate count of foreign-born Africans in the area.
– Photo Gallery by the DC Mayor’s Office on African Affairs
Source: District of Columbia the Mayor’s Office on African Affairs