The Department of Commerce began accepting applications for the Working Families Tax Credit Community Outreach Program grants. Beginning February 1, 2023, the Working Families Tax Credit will provide payments up to $1,200 to individuals and families who meet certain eligibility requirements.
Check this link for more information and to see if you're eligible.
1332 Health Waiver
The Federal Government has approved Washington's 1332 waiver application—a decision that lays the groundwork for many in Washington's immigrant communities to finally access needed health care coverage.
As you know, in recent years, the state Legislature directed agencies to set up pathways for all Washington residents to access health coverage programs regardless of federal immigration status by 2024, including a program to allow all Washingtonians to buy coverage through the Health Benefit Exchange. The approval of this federal waiver was the first step necessary to ensure everyone in our state has access to affordable health coverage, and we're excited that nearly one in four uninsured people in Washington may now access health care coverage. Everyone should have access to health care, and immigration status shouldn't be a barrier to the care a person needs.
We still want to push for the sate legislature to provide funding for this, so we look forward to working with you again in the upcoming legislative session to guarantee funding for and a successful launch of needed heath care programs by 2024! Click here to see the official announcement from the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Health Benefits Exchange.
2022 People of Color Legislative Summit (POCLS)
Thank you for making an impact at 2022 POCLS! On Saturday, Dec. 3rd, we represented the needs of diverse communities and built connections on critical issues important to people of color throughout Washington State. We hope your time at the summit felt meaningful and provided a way to build solidarity and mobilizing capacity for the issues most important to our collective communities of color. As the POCLS continues to evolve through co-creation, it is magnificent to see the mutual growth of its participants each year. We look forward to having your voices continually heard during the 2023 Session and beyond!
POCLS Advocacy 101 Training
What do we do with the legislative priorities we’ve identified at POCLS summit? How do we support and keep legislators accountable to the bills that need to pass? Find out by joining us at the POCLS Advocacy Training on Dec. 14th, 4-5 PM, or more training later in January. Stay tuned!
On Dec. 12th, several APIC-SPS partnering organizations representatives attended our holiday gathering at the Main Chinese Buffet restaurant in Lacey to share the holiday cheers and start visioning and planning for our activities for the new year. We had an opportunity to share the latest with each other! Great to see so many of you in person!
APIC-SPS will continue meeting monthly between 6:15 and 8pm starting Jan. 18 for our regular meeting (as the third Monday of Jan. lands on Jan. 16, which is a holiday). Looking forward to seeing many of you again for the new year! Here are our proposed meeting dates for the new year:
Jan. 18, 2023 Wednesday,
Feb. 22, Wednesday,
March 20, Monday,
April 17, Monday,
May 15, Monday,
June 20, Tuesday,
July 17, Monday,
August 21, Monday,
Sep. 18, Monday,
Oct. 16, Monday,
Nov. 27, Monday
Wishing all happy holidays and a wonderful new year!
