Press Releases
United Ways of California Reacts to Governor Brown's Budget Proposal
Cost Increases in Children’s Health Programs Could Jeopardize Access to Healthcare
for More than 120,000 Children
Los Angeles, CA
January 10, 2011
Peter Manzo, President & CEO of the United Ways of California, issued the following statement today in response to Governor Jerry Brown’s budget proposal relating to children’s health and education. The budget proposal would increase premiums for more than half a million children enrolled in the State’s Healthy Families program, would significantly increase co-pays for emergency room visits, hospital stays and prescription drug coverage for children enrolled in Healthy Families and Medi-Cal, and would eliminate vision benefits for children under Healthy Families. The Governor’s budget largely preserves K-12 education funding at existing levels.
United Ways Throughout California Offer Free Tax Preparation Help to Working Families
Los Angeles, CA
March 16, 2011
As part of annual efforts to increase tax refunds and credits for low- and moderate-income families and individuals, California’s United Ways are operating and funding dozens of free community tax preparation programs and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout the state.
“With less than one month to go until state and federal income taxes are due, we want to make sure people are aware that free tax preparation help is available to those who need it,” said Peter Manzo, President & CEO of United Ways of California. “Last year programs supported by California’s United Ways’ were responsible for the preparation of more than 132,700 tax returns, amounting to over $153 million in refunds for low – and moderate – income residents. We hope to surpass those numbers this year.”
February 11th is National "2-1-1 Day"
2-1-1 California Helped 1.6 Million Callers Get Answers and Assistance in 2009, Especially as Economic Woes Sent More Families Looking for Help
February 11 (2/11) is official "2-1-1 Day" in recognition of the free, confidential, easy to remember phone number that connects California residents to essential community information and services such as healthcare, rent and mortgage assistance, food and shelter, job training, transportation, childcare, senior care, veteran services and much more. In 2009, local 2-1-1 call centers answered 1.6 million calls for help, and that number continues to grow as more Californians have access to this invaluable referral service.This 2-1-1 day, Nevada County will officially launch its local 2-1-1 service, further expanding the reach of this service to more and more Californians.
UWCA Accepts Connecting Kids to Coverage Challenge
United Ways of California commits to enrolling uninsured kids in health care coverage
Sacramento, CA
United Ways of California along with several local United Ways across California have announced that they have accepted Secretary Sebelius’s Connecting Kids to Coverage Challenge to boost children’s enrollment in health insurance coverage programs in communities across California.
In February 2010, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued the “Secretary’s Challenge” to local, state and national organizations, policymakers and individuals to find and enroll the nation’s five million eligible but uninsured children in health insurance.
New Report Finds That Three in Ten California Households Cannot Afford Basic Needs
United Way Study reveals extent to which poverty is grossly undercounted in California, where 2.9 million households are living below the Self-Sufficiency Standard
Sacramento, CA
Three in ten California households lack enough income to cover "bare bones" living expenses, according to a report released today by United Ways of California. The report uses a Self-Sufficiency Standard which measures the actual cost of living in California, specific to each county, for housing, food and shelter, as well as the work-related costs of transportation, child care and taxes.>
The complete report,"Overlooked and Undercounted 2009," commissioned by United Way of the Bay Area and conducted by the Center for Women's Welfare at the University of Washington.
More Articles ...
- Governor Signs Vital Legislation to Help Fund Health Coverage for Children in California
- UWCA Applauds Signing of AB1422 Which Prevents 1 Million Kids from Losing Access to Health Coverage
- Healthy Families Enrollment Freeze Lifted
- The Clock is Ticking: 63,000 Children Lose Access to Health Coverage in One Month
