HB 5360 Summary

• Establishes the Child Poverty and Prevention Council as the "children in the recession leadership team" to develop policies and strategies mitigating recession impacts on children, including assistance with poverty prevention, foreclosures, hunger, family violence, and homelessness.

• Requires the Department of Social Services to streamline applications and enrollment for state benefit programs through simplified online processes, single applications, and community-based assistance by January 31, 2011.

• Directs the Department of Education to administer a child nutrition outreach program promoting participation in federal School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program, including innovative service methods like in-classroom breakfast.

• Authorizes the Department of Social Services to maximize federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Fund resources for housing assistance, eviction relief, domestic violence services, and subsidized employment programs.

• Modifies the Jobs First temporary assistance program to allow parents to pursue two-and four-year degree programs as approved work activities when state unemployment exceeds 8% for three consecutive months.