UMW
Leonard UMWs Work to Enroll Children in CHIP/Medicaid
On Wednesday, April 7, more than thirty United Methodist Women and community members gathered at Leonard United Methodist Church to learn how to enroll children in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Children's Medicaid. Amy Cuellar from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission led the training.
The event was very successful. Women from three different churches, school principals, teachers, and residents of Leonard came together to learn how to help kids get insurance. In Texas only an estimated 50% of children who are eligible to receive these benefits are enrolled.
Lori Stafford, the North Texas Conference Social Action Chair, said of the event, "I highly recommend this training to every unit of the UMW as a wonderful way to fulfill the UMW purpose and engage the public through outreach."
If you are interested in hosting a CHIP/Children's Medicaid training in your community, please contact emily at emily@texasimpact.org or call (512) 472-3903.
UMW Legislative Event A Success!
More than 130 United Methodist Women gathered in Austin from January 24-26, 2010 to attend the 22nd Anuual Texas United Methodist Women’s Legislative Event.
Legislative Event is a national model program that brings United Methodist Women of all ages and backgrounds together to learn about state government and how they can be informed, active citizens. Attendees hear from experts on a wide variety of policy issues, and have the opportunity to visit their senators and representatives in the Capitol to advocate for issues that are important to United Methodist Women, such as expanded CHIP and Children’s Mediciad, care for creation, and education.
This year’s speakers included the Center for Public Policy Priorities F. Scott McCown, who spoke about the projected budget shortfall; Dr. Eduardo Sanchez of BlueCross BlueShield who gave a presentation on childhood obesity and food insecurity; and Evan Smith of the Texas Tribune who painted a broad picture of the electoral landscape in 2010. For a complete list of speakers, click here.
Participants this year also had the unique opportunity to be trained on how to enroll children in CHIP and Children’s Medicaid. Women will be able to take this information back to their home churches so that they are able to enroll children who visit their food pantries, clothing shelters or who take part in ministries for “the least of these.” If you would like to sign-up your congregation to participate in an HHSC training, please email Emily at emily@texasimpact.org.
At the conclusion of the event, UMWs decide on a legislative agenda for the year. The agenda outlines priority issues that the women will advocate for throughout the year.
This year’s Legislative Agenda focuses on immigration, childhood obesity and other health issues, and education. It can be viewed here.
United Methodist Women is a national membership organization with nearly one million members whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders andadvocates for justice. Members raise approximately $20 million a year for programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world. There are about 100,000 members of United Methodist Women in Texas.
UMW Legislative Event '09: Updated Speaker and Registration Information
Click here for the printable registration form
Click here for the printable hotel reservation form
Click here for the Lobby Meeting/Reception Invitation Letter
The event will feature presentations by the Reverend Cynthia Abrams, Director of Alcohol, Other Addictions and Health for the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, and Harris County political guru Mustafa Tameez, as well as legislators and policy experts on topics including health care, energy and the environment, the state budget, education, and criminal justice.
AGENDA
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25
3:00-6:00 REGISTRATION
3:30-4:00 Orientation for First-Timers
4:00-5:30 Lobby Training
6:30-8:00 DINNER
VOCATION, ADVOCACY AND THE SOCIAL PRINCIPLES
Reverend Cynthia Abrams, United Methodist General Board of Church and Society
8:15-9:15 Small Group Discussion of Social Principles (Optional)
MONDAY, JANUARY 26
8:30-9:00 Praise and Get Acquainted
9:00-9:50 TWENTY YEARS IN LAST PLACE: HEALTH INSURANCE ISSUES
Representative Garnet Coleman and Diane Longley, Texas Department of Insurance
9:50-10:00 BREAK
10:00-11:00 IS IT RAINING YET? STATE REVENUE ISSUES
Hon. Ken Armbrister, Legislative Director, Office of the Governor
Representative Mike Villareal
Dick Lavine, Center for Public Policy Priorities
11:00-11:50 CLEAN GREEN FUTURE: ENERGY ISSUES
Senator Rodney Ellis
Representative Rafael Anchia
Luke Metzger, Environment Texas
12:00-1:00 LUNCH
ENERGY AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY: THE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
John Hill, United Methodist General Board of Church and Society
1:30 -3:00 LOBBY VISITS
3:00-4:00 LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION
Legislative Conference Center Room E2.002
6:00-7:30 DINNER
IN YOUR HANDS: CITIZEN ACTION AND TEXAS’ POLITICAL FUTURE
Mustafa Tameez, Outreach Strategists
7:45-??? CONFERENCE CAUCUSES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27
8:30-9:00 Opening Devotion
9:00-10:00 ROOM AT THE TABLE? IMMIGRATION ISSUES
Jennifer Carr Almon, Texas Conference of Catholic Bishops
Mohamed Elibiary, Muslim Freedom and Justice Foundation
Shelton Green, Baptist Christian Life Commission
10:00-11:00 Taking Legislative Event Back Home
Texas Impact Staff
11:00 Sending Forth
