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Author: Chris Findlay

Leadership of Key Congressional Committees Comes into Focus

December 19, 2024

BY: Sarah Dobson

All House and Senate election results have been finalized and it is clear that Republicans will control the Senate and also lead with a slim majority in the House of Representatives. Party leaders have begun to finalize which lawmakers will lead key committees with jurisdiction over health and related workforce issues. Retirements, limits on length of service in leadership roles, and preference of party leaders will all result in changes to committee chairs and ranking members.  The work of our policy team and our network with these committees will be crucial to advancing our advocacy priorities for the coming year during the 119th Congress.

Several committees in each chamber have jurisdiction over various elements of health care. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee plays a crucial role in shaping national policies related to healthcare and the workforce, while the Senate Finance Committee oversees health programs under the Social Security Act, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), along with their role in shaping tax policy, which will be key in 2025 with the expiring Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) is poised to lead the HELP Committee, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) expected as lead Democratic caucus member. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) is in line to lead the Finance Committee.

In the House, the Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee has broad jurisdiction over healthcare and the regulations and laws that govern the sector, while the Ways and Means Committee has jurisdiction over revenue-related aspects of the Social Security system, Medicare, and social services programs, including foster care and adoption programs—and like Senate Finance, also has a key role in shaping tax policy, including an expected 2025 tax bill. Finally, the House Education and Workforce Committee has jurisdiction over education, workforce development, and workforce policy.

Here is where things stand with key House committees:

  • Energy & Commerce: Brett Guthrie (R-KY) was elected as chair while Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) will serve as ranking minority member for Democrats.
  • Ways & Means: Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) will hold the top spot at Ways & Means (W&M). Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) will remain in his role as the committee’s top Democrat.
  • Education and Workforce Committee: Rep.  Tim Walberg (R-MI) will be the new Republican chair.

We look forward to leveraging the power of our network to strengthen relationships with these key members of Congress.

Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Lutheran Services in America.

Housing Issues to See New Leadership in Congress, Administration

December 19, 2024

BY: Sarah Dobson

Across the Lutheran Services in America network, we are committed to addressing housing insecurity as an economic and health crisis, advocating for affordable housing not only as shelter but also to ensure that members of the community are healthy and connected to the supportive services—food, social connection, transportation and mental health care—that are necessary to thrive. Therefore, we are carefully tracking announcements on who will be moving into leadership roles in Congress and the new administration on these issues.

President-elect Donald Trump announced he will nominate former Texas state Rep. Scott Turner to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Turner was twice elected to the Texas House of Representatives, serving from 2013 to 2017. In 2019, during his first term, Trump appointed Turner to lead a council tasked with turning around distressed communities, including directing private investment money toward “Opportunity Zones.” Turner now chairs the Center for Education Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former staffers from Trump’s first presidency.

In Congress, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) has signaled his desire to chair the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, which holds jurisdiction over key housing policy. Former ranking member Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) lost his bid for re-election, and as such, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is expected to take his place as top Democrat on the panel. Sen. Brown was the champion of S. 3910, the “Yes in God’s Backyard” (YIGBY) Act. The legislation seeks to break down regulatory and zoning barriers for churches and other faith-based institutions to use existing land and property to develop housing. Having endorsed the bill, we will be working to help identify a new lead senator to move this effort forward.

In the House of Representatives, the Financial Services Committee has jurisdiction on housing-related issues. The new ranking chair is Rep. French Hill (R-AR), while Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) will retain her role as the ranking members for Democrats.

Our staff is working across our network to strengthen and develop relationships with these key stakeholders to advance our key policy priorities:

  • Grow our collective capacity to increase the availability of affordable housing within communities.
  • Expand the integration and reach of effective models of supportive services in housing for older adults and people with disabilities.
  • Advocate policies and funding to advance affordable housing, reimbursement for social determinants of health services and ultimately, improve health equity.

If you are interested in engaging in advocacy with the network on housing and services issues, please contact Sarah Dobson.

Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Lutheran Services in America.

3 Ways Faith-Based Organizations Can Align Their Finances with Their Values

December 19, 2024

BY: Karen Manczko

While it’s always been important for faith-based organizations to express their mission and values, the current realities faced by non-profits underscore how crucial values alignment can be for organizational success. From rising costs to increased consolidation, post-COVID impacts, shifts in giving trends and rapidly changing demographics, non-profits are facing many uncertainties today. For faith-based organizations, leaning into core values and historical connections can be a key differentiator.

One of many ways faith-based non-profits can express their values is by aligning their financial decision-making with the core principles that drive their mission. Whether it’s prioritizing socially responsible investments or ensuring that organizational finances are well suited to support mission work, there’s a clear need for faith-based organizations to integrate their values when making financial decisions. Here’s three ways your organization can take steps to align your finances with your values:

  1. Consider Your Policies and Procedures

Strong governance is an important trait for all non-profits. Your organization’s governing documents and processes can be a starting point for ensuring your values are reflected in financial decision-making. For example, you may have an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) that defines how your endowment and reserve assets are invested. Many faith-based organizations may reflect their values in their IPS by defining a set of ethical exclusions or prioritizing sustainable investments.

  1. Evaluate Faith-Based Financial Partners

Non-profits often rely on a network of financial service partners to deliver employee benefits, save for the future and grow their investment assets. There are opportunities to connect with financial partners that align with your values. For example, Wespath is affiliated with The United Methodist Church and exclusively serves faith-based and values-driven non-profits. Providers like Wespath understand the motivations, challenges and opportunities of faith-based organizations because we are one too!

  1. Integrate Values-Aligned Strategies

With the groundwork of a strong IPS and a values-aligned investment partner, faith-based organizations may also consider more specific financial solutions that reflect their values. For instance, Wespath recently launched two new investment funds designed for institutional investors with values alignment in mind. Our new “Social Values Choice” funds integrate additional investment screens/exclusions to avoid certain types of investments:

The funds provide exposure to global stocks and bonds for organizations seeking that type of values alignment. Our faith connections certainly offer diverse perspectives on complex issues like climate change and human rights, so it may be compelling for some to consider more-specific solutions like this.

You can find more information about Wespath and the Social Values Choice funds in this recent article. We always look forward to meeting new non-profit leaders and helping organizations with their investment needs!

Karen Manczko is Director, Institutional Relationships at Wespath Institutional Investments.

Urging Congress to Address CNA Training Penalty

November 20, 2024

BY: Sarah Dobson

Lutheran Services in America joined other faith-based organizations in sending a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) to urge them to include the Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act (H.R. 3227) in any must-pass legislative package considered during the remainder of this Congress.

The bill addresses a longstanding problematic provision in federal law that penalizes skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) who are fined above a certain monetary threshold during their CMS survey by rescinding their authority to train certified nursing assistants (CNAs) for two years. This penalty stays in place for the entire two years, even if the SNF addresses the deficiency that resulted in the fine and regardless of whether the fine was related to the quality of resident care. H.R. 3227 would allow SNFs that have resolved their deficiencies to restart their CNA training programs before the end of the two-year period.

Lutheran Services in America has long supported making this change in the law. It is even more important now in light of the federal nursing home minimum staffing rule, which will require facilities to significantly increase their CNA staffing. The authority to train new workers is critical to facilities’ ability to potentially meet the new requirements.

Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Lutheran Services in America.

Strengthening Families to Improve Health Outcomes

November 14, 2024

BY: Alesia Frerichs

Lutheran Services in America (LSA), in initial collaboration with UnitedHealthcare (UHC), is embarking on a multi-year initiative to reshape and foster alignment between health and social care systems through the “Strengthening Families Initiative.” We aim to improve outcomes for children, youth and families enrolled in Medicaid, with an initial focus on behavioral health conditions. Specifically, building upon LSA’s Results Innovation Lab and Family Stabilization Initiative, we seek to better leverage the capacity and leadership of the LSA member network, in alignment with key health and multi-sector stakeholders, to improve health outcomes.

Lutheran  Services in  America is one of the nation’s largest networks of health and human service providers with a mission to cultivate caring communities that advance health and opportunity for all. Together, we are 300 nonprofit organizations across 1,400 U.S. communities with more than $26 billion in combined annual services.

Lutheran social service organizations have been working by, in, with and for their communities for decades — and in some instances, for more than a century. This new initiative incorporates national and local efforts with the engagement of Lutheran Services in America member organizations, including Gemma Services in Philadelphia and enCircle in Roanoke, Virginia.

As faith-based, trusted and community-centered leaders our aim is to continue to develop and foster innovative national and local partnerships, including with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), to improve individual and community outcomes. We are pleased to announce our collaboration with UnitedHealthcare through a $1.5 million award as we seek to expand engagement with other MCOs along with philanthropic partners.

UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is a health care and well-being company with a mission to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. In the United States, UnitedHealthcare offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1.7 million physicians and care professionals, and 7,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide.

As part of this effort, we will:

  • Disseminate case studies and a series of briefs, based on LSA member organization efforts to innovate approaches that address behavioral health challenges and unmet health-related social needs, along with a literature review and environmental scan of on-going national, state and local efforts, to improve understanding and inform action that build upon successes and lessons learned in aligning health and social care.
  • Convene national and local leaders from health/behavioral health systems and providers, social service organizations, payers, community-based nonprofits, policymakers, people with lived expertise, along with community and other key stakeholders to foster coalition building and partnership towards aligned action; and
  • Disseminate a ‘blueprint’ to identify and define the policy, practice and system changes necessary to catalyze and foster coordination, connection and alignment that improve health so all families can thrive.

Goals of the Initiative

Through this initiative, our shared aim is to align data-informed, community-centered approaches that have sustainable reimbursement and financing mechanisms to better address social determinants of health (SDOH) and that improve outcomes for children and families. Specifically, our work is guided through the following areas of focus:

  • Spurring a shift from segmented services provided to individual family members to a family-centered orientation, that considers measures and metrics related to family-based and community outcomes.
  • Improving cross-system collaboration to ensure alignment to better address social drivers of family stability and well-being by meeting holistic health and mental health-related social needs, including:
    • Access to food, housing, employment, childcare, among other services.
    • Support to address substance use disorder and mental health challenges within families (across all life stages), including parents, caregivers and children.
  • Building capacity and enhancing the capability of providers, community-based organizations (CBOs), and payers to ensure resources, including adequate reimbursement, and coordination are in place to better address the holistic needs of families.
  • Applying a lens that considers family structure and traditions.

Guiding Principles

The following principles and objectives will guide the overall effort:

  • Articulate a clear value proposition to deepen and expand coordination and alignment of care with appropriate and equitable services and payment to better address the holistic needs families, especially those historically marginalized.
  • Identify practice, policy and systems changes needed to catalyze more efficient and effective approaches to improve outcomes for families.
  • Identify effective ways to engage community and family voice so efforts reflect and address the highest priority needs of historically and persistently marginalized people and places.
  • Explore the workforce, data and technology considerations necessary to support and better align the delivery of quality care and services.
  • Identify the critical success factors for high-performing partnerships and collaboration to advance policy and systems change, especially the ways in which CBOs and Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) coordinate and align for improved outcomes.
  • Build support for federal, state and local policy changes necessary to broadly advance the conditions for families to have their needs met in a sustainable way.

Alesia Frerichs is President & CEO of Lutheran Services in America.

Building Community Through Our Family Stabilization Initiative: Reflections from a Site Visit to St. John’s United in Montana

November 20, 2024

BY: Renada Johnson and Liz Vetter

Through our Family Stabilization Initiative, we’ve committed ourselves to supporting families in crisis. Recently, Lutheran Services in America staff visited St. John’s United in Montana. The trip provided an important opportunity to reaffirm the importance of building community to support families. St. John’s United is leading significant community-building efforts that will strengthen resilience and resonate for years to come.

During our visit, St. John’s hosted a Family Night event that brought together over 60 families, a testament to the power of community. Families currently enrolled in St. John’s United’s high-fidelity wraparound program, as well as families who had successfully graduated from the program, came together for an evening of connection, games, and fun. It was heartwarming to see children laughing together, parents sharing their experiences, and families building bonds and memories that go far beyond the scope of any single program.

Many of the young people have formed friendships across families, learning the invaluable lesson of building community amongst themselves. These relationships help strengthen their sense of belonging and support, something that is vital for any child, especially those who have faced challenging circumstances.

Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement
St. John’s United expands their work through key community partners, including one who recently opened a Family Resource Center through the local school system. The center is a direct result of their collaboration with St. John’s United. The partnership exemplifies the broader goal of our Family Stabilization Initiative—by connecting families with the right resources, we can create a network of support that extends far beyond any single organization.

A seminal moment of the visit was an event in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting and standing with Indigenous communities. Through a moving drum presentation and the reading of the names of missing or murdered individuals, we took time to acknowledge the deep impact of these losses on the community. It was a humbling experience, reinforcing the need for accountability and the continued advocacy for equity and justice. St. John’s United exemplifies that broader commitment of our network as we extend our reach and support to improve health and opportunity for all.

Moving Forward Together

As we look ahead, it’s clear that the Family Stabilization Initiative is about much more than just addressing immediate crises. It’s about creating long-term, sustainable systems of care that empower families to stay together and avoid involvement in child welfare systems. It’s about fostering equitable outcomes for all, particularly for communities that have been historically marginalized.

The friendships formed among young people, the continuing collaboration with community partners, and the shared commitment to equity are essential as we come together to create change.

Together, as partners, advocates, and allies, we have the power to strengthen communities that uplift and support families in meaningful ways and ensure equity and justice to cultivate caring communities that advance health and opportunity for all.

Renada Johnson is Senior Director of Children, Youth and Family Initiatives. Liz Vetter is a Senior Program Associate.

November Elections: What’s in Play for Health & Social Service Organizations Specific to Medicaid

October 9, 2024

BY: Sarah Dobson

In one month, the results of the election will determine which party will hold the majorities in the House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Since the majority parties ultimately control the respective agendas for Congressional committees, the outcomes of the election can, and undoubtedly will, have markedly different impacts on policy decisions. Priorities drive agendas and as always, there are distinct differences between opposing parties. This is especially true on issues related to Medicaid.

Currently, Republicans hold the majority in the House, with Democrats narrowly controlling the Senate. This means that the Senate committees with jurisdiction over Medicaid including Finance and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) are led by Democrats, while Republicans are leading key committees in the House including Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce. This divided control has led to something of a stalemate, with very little major legislation advancing.

If the election maintains the status quo (with divided control), many believe that we can anticipate a similar lack of movement. There are very few areas of agreement and those include enhanced funding for behavioral health and workforce development efforts, given the bipartisan support that exists for these issues. However, if either party gains control over both chambers, there are a number of changes including to Medicaid we would expect to see move forward.

Under unified Democratic control, legislation is likely to be introduced that would strengthen eligibility and enrollment (E&E) policies to reduce enrollee administrative burdens and improve coverage access. Efforts could include aligning E&E statutory requirements across healthcare programs as well as working to fill the Medicaid “coverage gap” for individuals living in the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid eligibility under the ACA. Another area of focus is expected to be reforms to the provider tax and state directed payment policy.

Under unified Republican control, we could see bills to roll back E&E-related rulemaking and regulation. Efforts are likely to focus on eligibility restrictions aimed at shifting the “entitlement” nature of Medicaid including through instituting work requirements and premium payments. Other bills could seek to reduce provider administrative burdens; modify current waiver processes; repeal the Medicaid expansion program; and while less likely, change the way Medicaid is financed by moving to block grant the program’s funding.

In either case, finalizing these types of changes would also require the signature of the President—and if there are differences in control between Congress and the White House that will also certainly slow passage of bills with any major changes.

At present, given the makeup of which Senate seats are up for re-election this year, most polling anticipates a Republican-controlled Senate post-election, with the outcomes of the House and Presidential elections much less clear.

If you have questions or want to get more engaged with us in policy and advocacy, please contact Sarah Dobson at SDobson@lutheranservices.org.

Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at Lutheran Services in America.

Advocacy in Action: Member CEO Ted Goins Uses Letter to the Editor to Urge Sen. Scott’s Support of YIGBY

October 9, 2024

BY: Sarah Dobson

With the support of Lutheran Services in America, Ted Goins, president and CEO of Lutheran Services Carolinas, recently had a letter to the editor published in The State newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina. Ted reflected on the shortage of affordable housing in the state and how faith-based nonprofits could be better supported in filling that gap.

Thanking Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) for his longtime support of legislation addressing the housing crisis, Ted urged him to now support the “Yes in God’s Backyard” (YIGBY) bill (S. 3910,) a housing policy priority for our network. The bill aims to help faith-based institutions and churches use land they already own to ease the housing crisis in their communities.

Given Sen. Scott’s position as the senior-most Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, his support will play a key role in whether provisions of the bill are included in any housing legislation passed before the end of this Congress. To learn more or join us in these efforts, please contact me.

Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Lutheran Services in America.

Capitol Conversations Policy Webinar Series Kicks Off with “Building a Workforce for the Future”

September 17, 2024

BY: Sarah Dobson

On September 11, the Lutheran Services in America public policy department launched a new “Capitol Conversations” webinar series aimed at informing and engaging the network in advocacy, with a session titled “Building a Workforce for the Future: Trends and Practice Shaping Policy.”  Following an overview presented by Sue Polis, vice president of public relations and government affairs, of the focus areas of Lutheran Services in America’s strategy to address the workforce shortage (recruitment and retention, strengthening the pipeline, and readiness to fill roles), a cross-section of network members heard from four speakers: Stephanie Badger, The Nickles Group; Ryan Kenyon, the office of Sen. Kevin Kramer (R-ND); Wanda Harris, The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society; and Kelli Dobner, Samaritas.

Stephanie introduced members to the Healthcare Workforce Coalition, which she helps lead. The coalition advocates in three areas to address the shortage: education, recruitment and retention, and international workers. Their work supports classifying nurses as STEM workers for greater federal funding availability and advocating for better protection for healthcare workers from workplace violence and mental health challenges.

Ryan highlighted Sen. Kramer’s sponsorship of the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act (HWRA), which would allow previously unused green cards to be distributed to up to 40,000 healthcare workers, while identifying the challenges ahead for passage. He also discussed the hardship imposed on nursing home providers by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) minimum staffing rule, urging continued efforts to advocate directly with the agency.

Network members Wanda and Kelli shared their experiences dealing with workforce shortages in the field, including the ways in which the crisis has reshaped their business, and the importance of addressing workplace culture and professional development in recruiting and retaining employees.

Next steps include urging your lawmakers to support the HWRA, joining Lutheran Services in America in asking CMS and Congress to better address staffing and reimbursement issues, and watching the recording of this event. If you would like more information about our policy engagement on workforce or other issues, or if you have requests for future topics for this series, please contact me.

Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Lutheran Services in America.

Leadership Rooted in Lived Experience

August 26, 2024

BY: Alesia Frerichs and Renada Johnson

This month, the Lutheran Services in America team led the latest Lived Voices Fellowship convening in Washington, D.C., a cohort of 17 dynamic change leaders from across the network who are dedicating their careers to service in community. What sets this group of leaders apart is that they have navigated public systems and experienced poverty, substance abuse, housing insecurity and other challenges, and through their resilience, are committed to build on their experiences to drive positive change within their organizations and communities.

What is the Lived Voices Fellowship and who participates?

The fellowship offers these leaders an opportunity to make meaning of their own unique experiences, forge new connections, and hone skills that will empower them to effect meaningful change in their communities. The fellowship represents a departure from traditional leadership programs in that it is an exploration of resiliency, empowerment, and healing, with a focus on amplifying voices that have often been marginalized.

The roles of these change leaders across the network vary widely; some serve as counselors, program leads, brand ambassadors and community outreach specialists, while others lead operations or are in the C-suite. Through their work, they collectively support older adults, strengthen families and create pathways for employment and other services for new Americans. All are fueled by a commitment to make the world a better place.

What was the emphasis of the recent convening?

The convening was led by the expertise of our Lutheran Services in America staff and facilitators from Just Build Village Then, including a pivotal session with the Frameworks Institute.

“This fellowship changed my life forever! I’ve been to many trainings and conferences where the conversation has been about change in our systems and community, but very few focus on healing and change in ourselves,” said Jessica Strauch of the St. John’s United C.A.R.E.S Wraparound Program. “I had the opportunity to be in a space with other leaders with lived experience and together we had the opportunity to dig deep into what brought us to this work. I cried, reflected, and gave myself the opportunity and space to step into my story.”

What comes next?

As part of this fellowship, our fellows are currently engaging with professional mentors through the Lived Voices Fellowship Peer Mentoring Program. This key component is designed to foster meaningful connections between fellows and seasoned leaders within our network. Inspired by Marshall Ganz’s Public Narrative model, this journey includes shared self-discovery, collective identity formation, and actionable commitment. This mentorship phase will enable our fellows and senior leaders to identify collaborative opportunities for innovation and impact, driving positive transformation within Lutheran Services in America, our member organizations, and beyond.

Many thanks to Ascentria Care Alliance, Bethel New Life, Gemma Services, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, the Evangelical Good Samaritan Society and others for joining us. This is the Lutheran Services in America network!

Alesia Frerichs is President & CEO of Lutheran Services in America. Renada Johnson is Senior Director of Children, Youth and Family Initiatives at Lutheran Services in America.

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