Breaking Ground - January 1999

NOFA News!!!

HUD Announces Emergency Shelter Grant Funding for 1999

1999 Super NOFA Expected to be Released in February!

COHHIO to Hold SuperNOFA Trainings in February

Consumer Credit Counseling Service's Advice for "Bills and Blues" This January

Earned Income Credit - Extra Money in Worker's Pockets!

"Housing Ohio: Challenges and Opportunities" - COHHIO's 1999 Annual Conference

What is Substandard Housing?

Housing Trust Fund Funds Over $8 Million in the FY 1999 Request for Proposals

COHHIO Web Page

Souper Bowl

Report on Welfare Reform Requirements

Computers and Eye Health

Resources

 

 

NOFA NEWS!!
Continuum of Care Awards
Please find below the list of cities funded for the Fiscal Year Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Awards. Out of a possible 100, the balance of state application and the Columbus application scored a whopping 96. COHHIO worked on both of these applications. Across the country, only two other cities, San Francisco and Memphis, scored higher with both receiving a 97. Springfield did not apply and Dayton/Montgomery County and Akron/Summit County were not funded due to scores that fell below the fundable level. Particularly troubling, some projects in Montgomery County that were up for renewal will not be funded. One organization, PASS in Cleveland, was not funded even though the Cleveland application was funded and has requested COHHIO's assistance. COHHIO will be helping Cleveland in submitting an appeal to HUD.

Cincinnati/Hamilton $5,277,384
First Step Home (SHP) 385,000
Independent Living Options (SHP) 124,687
City of Cincinnati (SPC) 2,098,020
Drop Inn Center (SHP) 297,000
Chabad House (SHP) 349,125
Caracole, Inc. (SHP) 591,240
Greater Cincinnati Oral
Health Council (SHP) 682,651
YWCA of Greater Cincinnati (SHP) 460,911
Tender Mercies (SHP) 288,750

Toledo $2,141,941
FOCUS (SHPR) 68,134
Harbor House/300 Beds (SHP) 263,518
St. Paul's Cmty Center (SHPR) 148,230
Neighborhood Health Assoc. (SHP) 412,927
FOCUS (SHP) 271,593
St. Paul's Cmty Center (SHP) 584,827
Substance Abuse Services (SHP) 392,712

Youngstown $1,854,402
M.C.C.D.P. (SHPR) 338,566
Catholic Cmty Services (SHP) 149,845
M.C.C.D.P. (SHPR) 473,621
M.C.C.D.P. (SHP) 892,370

Cuyahoga $7,914,836
Transitional Housing (SHPR) 360,583
Health Care f/t Homeless (SHPR) 1,622,703
Volunteers of America (SHPR) 453,942
Continue Life (SHPR) 235,302
Family Transitional Hsg (SHPR) 111,542
YMCA (SHPR) 244,307
Cuyahoga Metro. Housing (SHPR) 529,714
Mentally Health Services (SHP) 835,026
EDEN, Inc. (SHP) 244,954
Joseph's Home (SHP) 1,029,179
Volunteers of America (SHP) 175,161
Hitchcock Center for Women (SHP) 764,073
Cornerstone Connection (SHP) 150,472
Inter-Church Council (SHP) 524,194
YWCA (SHP) 111,522
East Side Catholic Shelter (SHP) 522,162

Columbus/Franklin $3,144,514
Volunteers of America (SHPR) 593,889
Family Housing (SHPR) 71,323
Faith Housing (SHPR) 393,067
Faith Housing (SHPR) 231,935
YWCA (SHPR) 89,495
Metro. Residential Services (SHPR) 84,000
Community Housing Network (SHP) 1,197,290
Amethyst (SHP) 483,515
Canton $1,269,588
YWCA (SHPR) 132,665
Catholic Cmty Services (SHP) 474,075
Pyramid Career Services (SHP) 481,511
YWCA (SHP) 181,337

Ohio Balance of State $6,334,215
CAC of Fayette (SHPR) 170,310
Licking Cty Coal. for Hsg (SHPR) 1,652,587
Family & Cmty Services of
Catholic Charities (SHP) 292,409
Greene Cty DV Project (SHP) 148,800
Franciscan at St. Raphael (SHP) 562,396
Family Abuse Shelter, Miami (SHP) 246,735
Coleman Prof. Services (SHP) 430,500
Ironton-Lawrence CAO (SHP) 304,000
Huron Cty Catholic Charities (SHP) 281,304
MRM- T.O.A.P. (SHP) 195,084
VOA Firelands (SHP) 1,203,883
Ashtabula CHDO (SHP) 214,380
Family Recover Center (SHP) 631,827.

HUD Annouces Emergency Shelter Grant Funding for 1999

Akron $300,000
Canton 130,000
Cincinnati 591,000
Cleveland 1,079,000
Columbus 305,000
Dayton 293,000
Lakewood 91,000
Springfield 89,000
Toledo 338,000
Youngstown 197,000
Cuyahoga County 115,000
Franklin County 78,000
Hamilton County 124,000
Montgomery County 89,000
Ohio State Program 2,934,000
Total $6,753,000.

1999 SuperNOFA Expected to be Released in February!
In conversations with HUD's headquarters in Washington DC, COHHIO has been told that the Super NOFA is expected to be released in the first part of February. The process of releasing the NOFA has been slowed by HUD's staff dealing with the volume of complaints regarding this year's process. Applications will likely be due by mid-May, which would allow approximately 90 days after the NOFA is issued. The major change that is expected is that HUD will add additional incentives to communities that propose new permanent housing projects serving homeless people. The Continuum of Care SuperNOFA provides funding through three programs: the Supportive Housing Program; the Shelter Plus Care program and the Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation program. This year's Super NOFA will contain about 20 percent more funding that last year's.

COHHIO to Hold SuperNOFA Trainings in February
COHHIO, in conjunction with ODOD, is holding two trainings in February, one for entitlement communities (Cincinnati, Toledo, Youngstown, Cleveland, Columbus, Canton, Dayton and Akron) and one for small cities and rural areas, which make up the balance of state. Both trainings will be held at the YWCA in Columbus and will be held from 10 am to 2 pm. The entitlement communities training will be held on Monday, February 1. The balance of state training will be held on Tuesday, February 2. These trainings have proven useful to the success of communities in development of their Continuum of Care plans and in receiving funding. Please plan on attending if you think you will be applying as an entitlement community or in the balance of state!!

You must register to attend the trainings. For the entitlement training on February 1, call COHHIO at 614/280-1984 to get a registration form. For the balance of state training on February 2, call Bob Johnson at the Ohio Department of Development at (614)466-2285.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service’s Advice for “Bills and Blues” This January

When credit card statements start arriving after the holidays, they often add up to more than consumers expected. CCCS is in the business of sorting out financial situations where less is coming in than needs to go out.

CCCS of Northeastern Ohio suggests the following steps to cope with high credit card balances:
• First, assess the damage. How long will it take you to pay off the debt incurred, while still taking care of your basic expenses? If it will take three to six months, a strict budget will help you reach your goals. Any belt-tightening will help speed up this process. It might also be a good time to put the cards away until the damage is under control.
• The Ohio State Northern Extension may be able to help. They have a FREE Master Money Managers program to help people through the budgeting process. Call 216/397-6000 for more information.
• If it appears that the extra debt may last nine months or longer, we advise people to contact Consumer Credit Counseling Service for FREE debt counseling. The service can advise and/or administer debt repayment plans, also, absolutely free.
• Consumer Credit Counseling Service also offers a variety of educational seminars concerning managing credit and saving money throughout the year.

CCCS is a nonprofit, community service organization that provides confidential counseling, guidance, debt management and education programs to financially troubled consumers. It is a memof the National Foundation for Consumer Credit (NFCC). NFCC is the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization providing education and counseling services on budgeting and credit face-to-face, by telephone and by mail. NFCC memlocated in 1,500 offices across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada adhere to quality standards that include agency accreditation, counselor certification and policies that ensure quality service. For more information about CCCS of Northeastern Ohio, visit http://www.debtsos.org.

Earned Income Credit - Extra Money in Worker's Pockets!

As income tax times nears, there is helpful information available for free about the Earned Income Credit (EIC). The EIC can make a real difference in the lives of many low-income workers once they know it's there and understand how to get it. You can help by getting this information out to clients and others who could benefit.

The EIC kit, which has all the useful information you'll need, is being made available through the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

To get your kit:

* Call John Wancheck at the Earned Income Credit Campaign at 202/408-1080
OR
* Email the Campaign Center at center@center.cbpp.org.

"Housing Ohio: Challenges and Opportunities"
COHHIO’s 1999 Annual Conference - March 8, 9 & 10
Tentative Conference Agenda*
Monday, March 8
9:00-10:00 Registration and Coffee
10:00-11:30 Welcome and Opening Address
12:00-1:30 Lunch with Speaker
1:45-3:15 Workshop Set A
3:30-5:00 Workshop Set B

Tuesday, March 9
8:00-9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00-10:30 Panel Discussion
10:45-12:15 Workshop Set C
12:30-2:00 Lunch with Speaker
2:15-3:15 Plenary Session
3:30-5:00 Workshop Set D
5:00-7:00 Legislative Reception

Wednesday, March 10
8:00-9:00 Registration and Breakfast Buffet
9:00-10:00 Lobby Day Preparation
10:00-Until ? Lobby Day appointments with legislators/hospitality room

*Please note that the agenda, keynote speakers and workshop topics are subject to change.
**A full agenda will be mailed, 2-3 weeks prior to the conference, to those who have registered.

Some of the workshops that will be offered include, but are not limited to, the following:
Successfully Serving the “Hard to Serve”
Next Step: Jobs
Housing for Single Adults
Blended Management
Supportive Services
Housing for Women in Recovery
Best Practices for Housing Persons With Mentally Illness
Welfare to Work Partnerships: Resources For Success
Influencing County Welfare Plans; Connecting Them to Housing Needs
Legislative Issues and Pertinent Court Cases for Fair Housing
Public Housing Reform: What is it? What does it Mean for Tenants and the Community?
Public Housing Reform: The PHA’s Response to the New Legislation
Public Housing Reform: Case Studies About Income Disregard
Using Combined State Resources to Develop Affordable Housing
Developing Affordable Housing - What to Consider
Organizing the Community to Preserve Affordable Housing
Update on Restructuring Section 8 Properties
Purchasing Section 8 Properties: Technical Assistance Resources for Nonprofits
Ohio’s Lenders - Are They Meeting the Credit Needs of Your Community?
The Community Reinvestment Act from a Regulator's Perspective
Organize Ohio!

Speakers who have been invited to the conference:
Andrew Cuomo, Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Dr. Beecher Hicks, Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington DC
Beth Shinn, Professor, New York University
Robert Taft, Governor, State of Ohio

Hotel Accommodations
The Hyatt on Capital Square is offering a discounted room rate of $109 per night! Call the Hyatt at 614/228-1234 by February 15. Be sure to tell them you are part of the COHHIO conference.

Scholarships
A limited number will be available to those who demonstrate a financial burden and would not otherwise be able to attend the conference. Please submit your written request to Dawn Tyler by February 8.

Continuing Education Units
COHHIO will apply for approximately 12.0 CEU’s for Social Workers and Counselors.

Legislative Reception
Please invite your legislator to our reception on March 9th from 5-7 PM at the Hyatt.

Lobby Day
Make an appointment to meet with your legislator on March 10 after 10:00 AM. Tell them you want to share the successful work that you are doing, discuss the accomplishments of the Housing Trust Fund and other state funding programs that provide low-income housing and serve homeless people.

What is Substandard Housing?
The Bureau of the Census and the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development classify housing units according to whether the units have physical or structural deficiencies.

A unit is classified as having "severe" physical problems if it has one or more of the following five deficiencies:
• It lacks hot or cold water or a flush toilet, or both a bathtub and a shower.
• The heating equipment has broken down at least three times for six hours or more during the previous winter, resulting in the unit being uncomfortably cold for 24 hours or more.
• It has no electricity, or it has exposed wiring and a room with no working wall outlet and had three blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers during the previous 90 days.
• In public areas such as hallways and staircases, it has no working light fixtures, no elevator, loose or missing steps and loose or missing railings.
• It has at least five basic maintenance problems such as water leaks, holes in the floors or ceilings, peeling paint or broken plaster, or evidence of rats during the previous 90 days.

A unit is classified as having "moderate" physical problems if it does not have any of the severe problems, but has one or more of the following deficiencies:
• On at least three occasions in the past three months, all flush toilets were broken for at least six hours.
• Unvented gas, oil or kerosene heaters are its primary heating equipment.
• It lacks a sink, refrigerator, or either burners or an oven.
• It has three of the four hallway or staircase problems listed.
• It has at least three of the basic maintenance problems listed above.
Article reprinted from Habitat World, February/March 1998, Habitat for Humanity.

Housing Trust Fund Funds Over $8 Million in the FY 1999 Request for Proposals

Governor Taft announced this week the awards for the Housing Trust Fund. The Ohio Department of Development received 141 applications requesting over $17 million. Nearly $11 million was requested from Category 1 funds and just over $6 million in Category 2 funds. Seventy four groups were funded with the $8 million that was available. The numbers demonstrate that clearly the Housing Trust Fund needs additional funding.

COUNTY ORGANIZATION CAT. 1 CAT. 2
Allen AIDS Task Force Regional Cooperative $ 50,000
Allen Lima-Allen Council on Community Affairs $117,400
Allen PSA 3-Area Agency on Aging 80,000
Ashtabula Ashtabula County Community Housing Devt. Org. 84,700
Athens Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development 175,000
Athens Rural Action 144,000
Athens Tri-County (HAP) CAA 175,000
Butler Sojourners Women's Recovery Services 66,100
Cuyahoga AIDS Housing Council of Greater Cleveland 109,000
Cuyahoga Cleveland Housing Network 29,800
Cuyahoga Cleveland Women 85,000
Cuyahoga Council on Economic Opportunities for Gr. Cleveland 130,000
Cuyahoga EDEN, Inc. 110,100
Cuyahoga Lutheran Housing Corporation 81,000 50,200
Cuyahoga New Life Community 72,500
Defiance New Home Development 62,000
Erie Volunteers of America Firelands Ohio 92,000
Fayette CAC of Fayette County 32,000 106,800
Franklin Amethyst 104,000
Franklin Columbus Housing Partnership 138,000
Franklin Columbus Neighborhood Health Services 175,000
Franklin Community Shelter Board 175,000
Franklin Consoc Housing Counseling 20,000
Franklin Friends of the Homeless 166,600
Franklin Metropolitan Residential Services 28,000 19,000
Franklin The Open Shelter 149,900
Gallia Area Agency on Aging District 7 175,000
Greene Greene County Domestic Violence Project 81,700
Greene SCOPE 159,900
Hamilton Better Housing League 100,000 100,800
Hamilton Council on Aging of the Cincinnati Area 130,000
Hamilton Caracole 100,000
Hamilton Franciscan at St. John 125,000
Hamilton Lighthouse Youth Services 171,800
Hamilton People Working Cooperatively 175,000
Hamilton Race Street Tenants Organization Cooperative 60,600 107,500
Hamilton YWCA of Cincinnati 42,500
Hancock HHWP Community Action 38,500 142,400
Jackson Jackson-Vinton CAA 36,000 164,000
Jefferson Jefferson Behavioral Health Service 115,000
Lake Pathways 44,000
Licking Community Mental Health & Recovery Board 156,300
Licking LEADS CAA 175,000
COUNTY ORGANIZATION CAT. 1 CAT. 2
Licking Licking Coalition for Housing $52,100
Logan Mental Health Alcohol & Drug Board 38,600
Lorain Lorain County CAA $175,000
Lorain Walter G. Nord Mental Health Center 120,000
Lucas Aurora Project 104,700
Lucas Catholic Charities Diocese of Toledo 119,500 30,000
Lucas David's House 25,000
Lucas LaGrange CDC 100,000
Mahoning Interfaith Home Maintenance Service 150,000
Mercer Auglaize-Mercer CAA 47,000
Miami Family Abuse Shelter of Miami County 30,800
Montgomery AIDS Foundation of Miami Valley 55,300
Montgomery OIKOS CDC 69,200
Montgomery St. Vincent Hotel 175,000
Montgomery The Other Place 116,300
Noble Guernsey-Monroe-Noble CAA 120,000
Portage Family & Community Services of Catholic Charities 103,500
Scioto Scioto Christian Ministries 28,000
Stark Catholic Community Services 56,100
Stark Massillon Urban League 54,000
Stark Stark County Community Support Consortium 128,000
Summit East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp. 33,600
Summit Housing Network 78,000
Tuscarawas Harbor House 45,600
Tuscarawas Harcatus CAA 68,100
Van Wert YWCA of Van Wert 91,200 25,000
Washington Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Area Agency on Aging 150,000
Washington CAPC of Washington & Morgan Counties 175,000
Washington EVE, Inc. 140,000
Wayne CAA of Wayne & Medina Counties 69,500
Wayne Wooster Interfaith Housing 119,500
TOTAL - $8,122,700

* Category 1 - Supportive Services * Category 2 - Housing Counseling/Home Repair.

COHHIO Web Page
COHHIO is in the processing of working on its web page. If you would like your web page to be linked on the COHHIO web page, please send your web address to Susan Francis at COHHIO, 85 East Gay Street, Suite 603, Columbus, Ohio 43215, or email to cohhiosf@aol.com.

Souper Bowl
Ohio ranked fourth last year in the number of congregations (404) participating in the Souper Bowl and sixth in the amount of money raised ($71,083)! Here's how to participate. Ask your congregation to donate one dollar each during services on Super Bowl weekend, January 31. You decide which hunger organizations to give the money to. Call in (800.358.SOUP) January 31 to tell the organizers of this project how much money you collected and the name of your congregation. They will announce a preliminary figure that day. Souper Bowl raised $1,700,000 last year.

Report on Welfare Reform Requirements

In reading the following press release from Health and Human Services on states' meeting the first round of welfare reform requirements, pay special attention to what is held up as cause for celebration. I was especially struck with the level of earned income increase held out as "very exciting". The press release reports, "Earned income for families on welfare also increased by 17 percent, with the monthly average of earned income increasing from just over $500 to nearly $600." While the percentage increase may be impressive, "nearly $600" does not come close to paying a family's monthly bills. Monthly shortfalls in meeting basic bills puts families in the position of deciding which basic necessity to pay and which goes unpaid.

The inability of many families to pay for rent under these circumstances is obvious. COHHIO continues to raise housing affordability to the attention of those responsible for setting policy and implementing welfare reform in Ohio. The obvious risk of avoiding this issue is the likelihood of increased family homelessness.

By Pam Argus, COHHIO Associate Director


HHS Reports Nearly All States Met The First Round
of Welfare to Work Participants Rates
New Statistics Report More Parents on Welfare Working

HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala announced that 36 states and the District of Columbia met the first round of welfare-to-work participation rates for all families as required by the new welfare reform law. States also reported that more parents were working and earning more than previously recorded. Nearly all of the 37 states and D.C. subject to participation rate requirements for the period of July to September 1997 met the minimum requirement for all parents on welfare to be working or engaged in welfare-to-work activities. The information from one state remains incomplete and will be verified shortly. Nearly half of the 33 states and D.C. subject to the higher participation requirement for two-parent families met the rate. Several states had no two-parent families in their welfare programs. The July to September 1997 period is the first time that states were required to meet a 25 percent work participation rate for all families and a 75 percent rate for two-parent families. As 1997 was a transition year for the new welfare program, states that started their programs after April 1997 were not required to report work rates. All the states did receive a credit for prior year reductions in their caseloads toward meeting the participation rate. Also, several states had adjustments to their rates because they continued waivers approved under the Clinton Administration.

The Administration also released new statistics derived from the Census Bureau that show 1.5 million parents on welfare were working in March 1998 who had received welfare in 1997. Also, the data reveals a dramatic shift towards employment among welfare recipients. The percentage of single women on welfare who worked in the same year increased by 50 percent from 40 percent in 1992 to 60 percent in 1997. "This early report is very promising and shows that we are making progress in moving parents on welfare into jobs or giving them the work skills they need to get a job," said Secretary Shalala. "We are committed to supporting states in their efforts to help families achieve self-sufficiency and break the cycle of welfare dependency."

According to the new state data, the number of parents on welfare who were working jumped substantially since the last reporting period of October 1996 to June 1997. The states reported that more than 18 percent of adults on welfare were employed compared to a 14 percent employment rate for the previous period. Earned income for families on welfare also increased by 17 percent, with the monthly average of earned income increasing from just over $500 to nearly $600. The proportion of adults on welfare in direct work-related activities--including employment, work experience and community service--tripled over previous years. In 1997, nearly 22 percent of adults were working or in work experience compared to slightly over 7 percent in 1992.

"The employment and earning news from this first report under TANF is very exciting," said Olivia A. Golden, HHS assistant secretary for children and families. "We're seeing early progress by states in developing welfare-to-work programs that deliver. We continue to encourage states to build on these initial efforts with investments to help parents get higher paying jobs and with supports like child care to help families keep those jobs," Golden added.

Under the welfare law, states that fail to meet the minimum participation rates for all families are subject to a penalty of five percent of their annual federal block grant. Because fiscal year 1997 was a transition year for the TANF program, states will be subject to the penalty for one-quarter or less of their block grant amount. However, states can take corrective action or appeal the penalty for a reasonable cause exception. Most of the states that are subject to a penalty failed to meet the two-parent participation rate. In that case, the penalty amount will be based on the percentage of two-parent families in the state's caseload.

The states that failed to meet the two-parent participation rates are Alabama, Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Information for West Virginia is incomplete.

The report contains other statistics on the characteristics of families on welfare, but there were no major changes from the previous reporting period of October 1996 to June 1997. The average family size of three-one adult and two children-remained the same. Other characteristics of individuals that remained largely unchanged include distributions by race and ethnicity, age, marital status, and percentage of teen parents. Some statistics, including education level, citizenship, number of closed cases, and receipt of other benefits, are incomplete, because individual state reports were not available or were inconsistent with prior reporting periods. The department has worked vigorously with states to address reporting problems and expects that subsequent reports will be more accurate, routine and timely. The full report is available on the Web at: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov.

Computers and Eye Health

 

Rememwhen your parents warned about sitting too close to the television? As children, many of us were not permitted to sit all day in front of the tube. As adults in the working world, however, we may spend an eight-hour day peering at computer screens and then go home to peruse the Internet.

"We are doing something different in our workplace and for pleasure," says Karla Zadnik, assistant professor, College of Optometry, The Ohio State University. "And perhaps our visual system is reacting to those human changes in how we use our eyes."

According to Zadnik, eyestrain is the most common complaint relating to a host of symptoms under the general classification of computer vision syndrome. Although eyestrain associated with prolonged computer use is not likely to cause serious long-term effects, the condition is still uncomfortable. Symptoms may include:

• Sore, tired, burning, itching or dry eyes: Blinking our eyelids spreads tears over the eyes' surface. When you are really concentrating at the computer, Zadnik says, you don't blink very often. Artificial tear drops may work for relatively short periods of time, but the key is to blink more often.

• Blurred or double vision, distance vision blurred after prolonged staring at the monitor, difficulty focusing on the screen image: Zadnik says that to see the computer, if you're under the age of 40 or 45, you actively focus your eyes for the distance of the computer. If you spend a long time with your eyes focused at a given distance, it's difficult to adjust or focus on something at a greater distance. Most people don't vary the distance they sit from the computer screen. Eye exercises and prescriptive lenses can help.

• Another type of blurred vision is especially prevalent at the age of 40 to 45 with the onset of presbyopia, which means it's harder to focus at close range. Glasses can provide relief. Some blurred vision, however, can be associated with the kind of glasses your wear, Zadnik says. Sometimes, it's just a matter of changing the prescription for contact lenses or glasses.

• Headache, sore neck: Bifocal use, which could begin as an eye-related computer ailment, creates an uncomfortable position since you're more than likely tilting your head back to look through the lower part of the lens.

• Difficulty shifting focus between monitor and source documents: If you work from documents, have the screen and the document at the same eye level and distance, Zadnik suggests. This helps eliminate the problem of refocusing, especially for those who wear glasses.

• Proper lighting and the elimination of glare also can help alleviate eyestrain symptoms. As a rule, says Zadnik, outside lights should be no more intense that the computer screen. Dust also can decrease the contrast and make it more difficult to focus on the screen, so clean your screen daily.

• Give your eyes a rest, Zadnik says. Take breaks, or at least look away from your screen regularly. Adds Jim Fograsher, BWC's Division of Safety & Hygiene training center manager, "A 15 minute break from looking at the computer every hour is suggested for intensive VDT work."

BWC offers a training course (Ergonomics for Office Environments) and five video titles on how to deal with video display terminals and computers at work. They are: Avoiding Computer Strains & Pains: A Guide to Setting Up Your Computer and Work Station; Computer Fitness: How to Work Comfortably, Productively & Safely; Office Ergonomics Including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Video Display Terminal and You; and Working With Display Screen Equipment. You also can obtain specific information from the Division of Safety & Hygiene library. Call 1-800-OHIOBWC and press 22 to obtain information about training courses, videos and other resources. Taken from BWC Focus Magazine, Autumn 1998.

RESOURCES

Continuing our Conversations with Non-Profit Entrepreneurs, Columbus. Methods on how your organization can begin to sustain itself by pursuing entrepreneurial business ventures. February 9 and April 8. $15. 614/248-6113.

Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership and Management, PBS. National trainings being held via satellite. Franklin University, Columbus. $25. Call 614/221-6766. Feb. 18 - Financial Empowerment; March 18 - Social Entrepreneurship; April 15 - Volunteer Involvement; and May 20 - Strategic Alliances.


Winter 1999 Audio Conferences, Center for Law and Social Policy. Three audio-conferences, from 12:30 - 1:30 pm, will focus on Jobs and Wages: Programs that Promote Retention and Advancement. The fee for the audio conferences is $14 per separate phone line. For more information, contact CLASP at 202/797-6535. Feb. 19 - Work Retention: Holding On to the New and the Next Job; and March 19 - Wage Advancement: Strategies Getting Tested.

Publications
COHHIO Directory, A listing of non-profit housing organizations and agencies serving homeless people in Ohio. $10. Call 614/280-1984 to receive an order form.

Evaluating Mortgage Loan Applications, Fannie Mae. Brochure provides information on the roles credit scoring and automated underwriting play in helping lenders evaluate mortgage loan applications, including: what is a credit score and why it is used? What information is needed to create a credit score? How can the consumer make sure the information that is used is correct? What is automated underwriting and how is it used to evaluate a mortgage loan application? What can an applicant do to demonstrate their ability to repay a mortgage loan and increase the likelihood that they will be able to obtain a mortgage? Call Fannie Mae's Consumer Resource Center at 800/732-6643.

Principles & Practices of Community Development Lending, Second Edition, Federal Reserve Bank. Targeted to lenders and community development partners who want to increase their knowledge of how to evaluate and make community development loans. The guide develops a method for analyzing community development loan proposals and includes a helpful list of public and private credit programs for those seeking project financing. $25, plus shipping. Contact the Minneapolis Community Affairs Department at 612/204-5074.

To Their Credit: Women-Owned Businesses, Federal Reserve. A videotape designed to heighten awareness among lenders about the business opportunities available to them in lending to businesses owned by women. Contact FVS Media at 800/555-5471. Access to Credit: A Guide to Lenders and Women Owners of Small Businesses, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Publication available by calling FRB of Chicago Public Affairs Office at 312/322-5111.

Job Announcement
Executive Director, Oikos CDC, a not-for-profit community development corporation in Dayton. Responsibilities include development of housing and commercial projects, financial management, staff supervision, fundraising, board development and community relations. Skills required: real estate/construction management, budgeting, grantwriting, business planning and strong communication skills. Oikos is a faith-based CDC working in affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization. A Bachelor's degree and experience in community development or related fields required. Equal Opportunity Employer. Application review began Jan. 2. Send resume to 1922 N. Main St., Dayton 45405; 937/278-9520 (fax), 937/278-9096 (phone).

Web Page
Contacting Congress. www.visi.com/juan/congress. Provides contact information for incumbents as well as basic biographical information and committee assignments.

(614) 280-1984 Voice
(614) 463-1060 Fax

cohhio@cohhio.org