“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.”

 ~Thomas Carlyle,

Scottish essayist and historian

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”

~Marie Curie

Polish-French physicist

Good Morning Pike CAC,

As many of you may be aware, recent executive orders issued by President Donald Trump have raised concerns within the non-profit sector, particularly for organizations, like ours, involved in social services. I want to take a moment to update you on the key implications of these executive actions and how they could affect our operations moving forward, as well as how the actions of the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) may affect the organization.  Although the news is pretty grim, I urge you: Do not panic – we will get through this! This organization has been a beacon of hope for those in need for 60 years and has been through many rough times before.  We will not quit fighting for our clients and our communities, and we will weather this storm as well.

1. Changes in Funding and Grant Opportunities

Several executive orders have impacted the federal funding landscape for social services, especially programs related to health care, housing, and community supports. For non-profits, this means:

• Cuts to Federal Grants: Certain programs, particularly those aimed at vulnerable populations, have seen reductions in funding. This could affect our ability to access grants for vital services.

• Elimination of Federal Offices and Reductions in Federal Staffing:

• The Department of Health and Human Services has announced that five regional offices will be closing (including region 5 that covers Ohio), and while we will be assigned to another office, it will likely result in communication delays as we form new relationships with our Federal partner.

• At the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the entire Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights – which handles issues of diversity, civil rights and a supportive work environment, has been given notice.

• CMS also cut all or nearly all of the Office of Minority Health The office, which was created by Congress, also focused on rural health issues that impact our client populations, such as diet and diabetes in a rural setting.

• Staff of the HHS Administration for Children and Families – which provides support for child care, child welfare, early childhood development, family violence prevention, refugee resettlement, homeless teens and Head Start programs, among others – also received notice this week of reductions in force

• Competition for Funding: Increased competition for available grants may require us to be more strategic and adaptable in our applications for federal funding.

2. Changes in Immigration Policies and Their Impact on Service Delivery

Trump's executive orders on immigration have led to heightened scrutiny of non-citizen individuals. These changes might have an effect on:

• Eligibility for Services: Some social service programs have become more restrictive regarding eligibility for non-citizens, limiting access to healthcare, housing, and educational resources for certain immigrant communities.

• Legal and Advocacy Work: Non-profits working on behalf of immigrant populations may face additional challenges in providing services, as well as potential legal hurdles regarding individuals' ability to access assistance.

3. Shift in Regulatory Environment

Executive orders also introduced regulatory changes that affect non-profit organizations, including:

• Regulations on Reporting and Transparency: Certain executive orders imposed stricter reporting requirements for non-profits, which may require additional administrative efforts on our part to remain compliant with new regulations.

• Potential Reversal of Policies Favorable to Non-Profits: Some orders reversed policies that have historically provided tax breaks, health care options, and support for underserved populations, making it more difficult to operate and serve our communities.

4. Policy Changes in Health Care

One of the most significant areas of impact is in health care. Executive actions aimed at dismantling the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and changing Medicaid policies could reduce access to critical healthcare services for many of our clients, particularly those relying on Medicaid and other government assistance programs. While there has been conflicting communication on Medicare and Medicaid at the Federal level, there are triggers in the State budget that would automatically reduce or eliminate expanded Medicaid coverage for low-income adults without dependent children if the Federal share (FMAP) drops below 90%.

5. Impact on Advocacy and Non-Profit Activities

There are concerns that executive orders have created a chilling effect on advocacy work by non-profits, especially those engaged in political or policy advocacy. The administration introduced restrictions that may limit our ability to lobby for certain issues or engage with certain political processes. There is also some uncertainty as to what language will trigger an adverse response from the Justice Department.

What This Means for Our Organization

As we continue to provide services to our community, we must stay informed about these executive orders and their evolving impact. Our immediate focus will be:

• Monitoring Policy Changes: Staying abreast of policy shifts and adjusting our programs and services accordingly.

• Engaging with Legal Counsel: Ensuring that we remain compliant with all regulations, particularly those impacting eligibility for services.

• Advocating for our Clients: Strengthening our advocacy efforts to ensure the most vulnerable populations have continued access to critical services.

Please stay tuned for additional updates as we continue to analyze the long-term effects of these policies. Your awareness and continued commitment to the populations we serve are invaluable as we navigate these changes together.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to our mission, vision and values, and rest assured that we will weather the storm and will continue providing vital services to the communities that we serve.

 Until next time…