ACYF-IM-CB-96-09 5/1/96

ACF Administration for Children and Families	U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children, Youth and Families
	1. Log No.: ACYF-IM-CB-96-09	2. Issuance Date: 5/1/96
	3. Originating Office: Children's Bureau
	4. Key Word: Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities Family Preservation and Family Support

INFORMATION MEMORANDUM

TO: State Agencies Administering Title IV-B, Subpart 2 of the Social Security Act.

SUBJECT: Drawing the Links Between the Purposes of Title IV-B, Subpart 2 of the Social Security Act, Family Preservation and Family Support, and the Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities.

LEGAL & RELATED REFERENCES: Sections 430-435 of the Social Security Act, title XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, and 42 U.S.C. 1397 et. seq.

PURPOSE: To encourage State Family Preservation and Family Support Program coordinators to link their efforts with the activities of the Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities.

BACKGROUND: The Empowerment Zone / Enterprise Community initiative is a federal government-wide effort to enable the self-revitalization and growth of distressed urban and rural areas throughout the nation.

In December 1994, 105 socio-economically distressed areas were designated to receive focused federal economic and human development assistance. These communities were selected from more than 500 applicants that competed for designation, all of whom conducted comprehensive needs assessments with the community through an inclusive "bottom-up" process. The scope and strength of community-based partnerships, resident participation, integration and coordination of activities, private and non-profit sector commitment, and state and local governmentcooperation are all essential elements of the best plans.

Designated Zones and Communities receive enhanced federal assistance through $1 billion in flexible Social Services Block Grant funds from the Department of Health and Human Services, approximately $2.5 billion in federal tax incentives, and special consideration in competitive grant programs of most domestic federal agencies.

Like the Family Preservation and Support initiative, the Empowerment Zone / Enterprise Community initiative recognizes that social and economic issues are not discrete problems to be dealt with in isolation; rather, they relate to and impact on one another. The initiative encourages localities to develop and implement holistic, outcome-based approaches for comprehensive community, economic, and human development services. It cuts across disciplines and divisions to coordinate the efforts that communities must engage to help themselves--to create jobs, support and preserve families, promote public safety, educate and train residents, provide health care, and protect the environment.

In many proposals, zones and communities stressed the Family Preservation and Family Support planning process and service provision as key to the revitalization of their communities. Many more communities have highlighted these issues as they have begun implementing their strategic plans.

Most importantly, the EZ/EC initiative recognizes that communities themselves are in charge of their own destinies, providing them the resources and assistance to formulate and implement strategic plans that address their own unique needs, tap their own assets, and enable self-sufficiency.

INFORMATION: In the preparation of the Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR), State Family Preservation and Family Support Programs have a unique opportunity to link with the activities of the Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities. It is important to note that many of the Zones and Communities are considering the expansion of family support centers and struggling with child welfare issues and how these fit into the priority areas of their localized development work.

In the APSR, States must report on the ongoing Child and Family Service Plan consultation and coordination process. We encourage States to include in this process representation from the Zones and Communities affected by the Plan. Additionally, the APSR must describe the progress in building a more comprehensive, coordinated, and effective child and family services continuum. In this endeavor, the Zones and Communities can be of enormous assistance to the State by sharing their localized needs assessment information and project strategies and initiatives with the State planning entity.

Information gathered from the Zones and Communities can be helpful to the State as it plans for the targeting of Family Preservation and Family Support resources and prioritizes community-based service delivery.

Likewise, States are in a position to share the results of the five-year planning process, including the needs assessment, with the Zones and Communities.

Attached is a list of EZ/EC's in your state. Please contact your Regional Directors if you would like further detailed information on the Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities in your State.

INQUIRIES TO: HHS Regional Directors, Regions I-X

Olivia A. Golden
Commissioner
Administration on Children, Youth and Families

Attachment

List of EZ/EC's by State