[BFET] Federal Shut down

[Brandi Koehler]

Hi Dani,

As to the question of FAP benefits, it appears they will be affected in the same way as SNAP.  Attached is a copy of the mailer DSHS is sending to benefit recipients.  Other programs affected are WASHCAP and TFA (Transitional Food Assistance).

Thanks,

Brandi Koehler
Program Specialist
Bellevue College - Workforce Education  |  B131
(425) 564-3066  |  brandi.koehler at bellevuecollege.edu<mailto:brandi.koehler at bellevuecollege.edu>


From: BFET <bfet-bounces at lists.ctc.edu> On Behalf Of Trimble, Dani via BFET
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2019 9:27 AM
To: 'Johnston, Kelli' <KJohnston at tacomacc.edu>; BFET listserve (fset at lists.ctc.edu) <fset at lists.ctc.edu>; 'bfet at lists.ctc.edu' <bfet at lists.ctc.edu>
Subject: Re: [BFET] Federal Shut down

Hi Kelli,

I have not sent out anything campus wide regarding the shutdown impacts yet, but am planning to do so this week.  We did send out the Q&A to students via Canvas and have it posted in the office, so students are aware of the potential impacts if the shutdown continues.

There was some information shared yesterday at our LPA, but have not received any formal communications beyond what is in the Q&A.  We have been told that the funding to provide food benefits past February is limited, and the funding would run out after March.  This information has not been shared with students yet.

One of the larger concerns I have is how to support students in the instance that the shutdown is not resolved in time to issue March benefits.  If this happens, we hope to be able to support students with the food pantry, but are concerned about the need and how we can increase our capacity.  I assume that our local food bank/pantries will also be overwhelmed with need as our community has at least 25% of residents collecting food benefits.  This number will likely disproportionately impact our campus community considering our low income populations. Additionally, I am concerned about the disbursement of benefits for February and whether students will understand the impacts or be able to budget appropriately.

On a related note, has anyone heard what will happen to state (FAP) funding?  I have not heard anything specific so I do not know FAP will have the same impacts or not.

Thanks,

Dani Trimble
Director, Workforce & Career Services
Lower Columbia College
dtrimble at lowercolumbia.edu<mailto:dtrimble at lowercolumbia.edu>
(p) 360.442.2622 | (f) 360.442.2339
Appointments: 360.442.2311
1600 Maple Street | P.O. Box 3010
Longview, Washington 98632
Please visit our online eligibility tool at www.startnextquarter.org<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.startnextquarter.org%2F&data=01%7C01%7Cbrandi.koehler%40bellevuecollege.edu%7C0abd555d74b94e4c53f308d67d8330c0%7Cf94c251c1347422eb3ea8ac56befd6cb%7C1&sdata=X9iv3Yj9B6kkjoj2bM7noCjCh7LHqPx%2FqG73SqmBGqM%3D&reserved=0>

From: WorkFirst <workfirst-bounces at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:workfirst-bounces at lists.ctc.edu>> On Behalf Of Johnston, Kelli via WorkFirst
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 5:14 PM
To: workfirst at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:workfirst at lists.ctc.edu>; BFET listserve (fset at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:fset at lists.ctc.edu>) <fset at lists.ctc.edu<mailto:fset at lists.ctc.edu>>
Cc: LinhPhung Huynh <lhuynh at sbctc.edu<mailto:lhuynh at sbctc.edu>>
Subject: [WorkFirst] Federal Shut down

Hi all -
Am reaching out to see what any of you have or might be thinking of doing to communicated with your students about the impacts of the shutdown. We have been cautiously watching and responding to students concerns individually however as time goes on I feel we need to be communicating a message to our campus community.
I am all about not creating a sense of panic. We have seen our immigrant and refugee student making rash decisions about their benefits support and enrollment in programs because of the messaging out in the media.
I have two specific thoughts right now.

1)      I have been watching DSHS's Q&A , what other communication should I be looking for? Erin, Jennifer and Linh - you may have some direction on that. And is there any talk about a systems message we could share with students. I know that can be challenging but maybe there is some planning at the state level that we may not be aware of??

2)      Have any of you put  messages out on your own campuses. I am contemplating the crafting of a "if you have panicking students send them to our office" message but wonder if you all are doing anything beyond that.

Thanks for any thoughts you might have.
Kelli


Kelli Johnston
Director, Workforce Education
Tacoma Communiity College
253.460.3978

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