Assembly Bill 161 was introduced by Assembly Member Rebecca Edgeworth, seeks to address these issues by implementing state-mandated standards for hospice facilities. The bill proposes enhanced oversight for new facilities during their first two years of operation, mandates accreditation by reputable national organizations, requires facilities to accept Medicare payments, and outlines a “patient’s bill of rights” to ensure consistent care standards.
Please contact your Representative, and share your opinion.
In the fifth episode of Here I Pod from ELCA advocacy, host Regina Q. Banks features guest Giovanna Oaxaca, Program Director for Migration Policy, ELCA Witness in Society.
Their conversation explores the work of AMMPARO and the ELCA in supporting migrants and refugees. Oaxaca provides historical contexts for today’s current immigration policies, and the church’s response to these challenges. It highlights the importance of advocacy, community support, and the impact of sensitive locations policies on vulnerable populations.
In our other sections, Hunger Advocacy Fellow Joey Chin provides a short history of Global Refuge, and AMMPARO representative Stephen Deal shares a faith reflection as well as stories of how serving migrants is transforming churches in the Americas.
You can take action today using these action alerts in the ELCA Action Center:
Take action today and message your representatives at the ELCA Advocacy Action Center. Receive new alerts by email by signing up here: ELCA.org/advocacy/signup.
History Segment Host:
Joey Chin, ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellow
Special Guests:
Giovana Oaxaca, Program Director for Migration Policy, ELCA.
Stephen Deal, Regional Representative for AMMPARO
Here I Pod is a production of ELCA Advocacy.
Host: Regina Q. Banks Production: Blake Chastain, Joey Chin, Karen Krueger Intro/Outro Music: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” arranged in jazz-style, by Steven Seigart
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
Download from wherever you get your podcasts, or click below to listen via YouTube.
“At the Table” is ELCA World Hunger’s 2025 Vacation Bible School curriculum, inviting your community to learn how storytelling can make a difference in your neighborhood and the world. “At the Table” is designed to be either a traditional VBS or an intergenerational program. Each day offers large- and small-group activities, crafts, games, snacks and more.
The colorful 90-page spiral-bound guide is loaded with ideas, and features 8 tabbed sections:
ELCA World Hunger gives thanks for the 147 domestic ministries that will be putting $1,533,936 to work through ELCA World Hunger grants domestically in 2024:
46 ministries across this church have been awarded 2024 Domestic Hunger Grants for a total 3- year (2024-2026) investment of $1,279,590 with an average 3-year award of $9,272 per ministry(*).
52 ministries awarded 2023 Domestic Hunger Grants and 37 ministries awarded 2022 Domestic Hunger Grants will receive continued funding in 2024 for a total investment of $1,233,936 in ministry through Domestic Hunger Grants.
Big Dreams don’t happen overnight or in a year, so in a move toward more sustainable funding for our partners we are extending the awards for up to three years, depending on the needs of the ministry, and to match our Domestic Hunger Grant model. The 12 original 2022 Big Dream Grant partners are designated with a (†). Our total three-year investment will be $1,948,144.
Prior to submitting a full grant proposal, grant applicants are asked to fill out a letter of inquiry (LOI) which briefly describes the project proposal. Registering on our granting portal, ELCA GrantMaker, is not required at this step. LOI Link.
Our DHG application Zoom webinar on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. CST will offer more information about the process. We will review granting priorities and the grant application process, how to submit an LOI, and answer questions from grant applicants. To join us for this virtual event, please register here. Participants will be provided with a link once registered. The webinar will be recorded and accessible via the Domestic Hunger Grant FAQ page.
The Domestic Hunger Grant application for 2026 awards opens April 23, and we look forward to your collaboration in promoting the opportunity to ministries! Please refer to the new application cycle below and spread the word.
Letter of inquiry form open: April 23–July 2, 2025
Letter of inquiry review: July 10–September 10, 2025
Response to the letter of inquiry (decline or accept): October 3, 2025
Invited applicants to complete grant application in ELCA GrantMaker: October–December 2025
Review and communication between ELCA World Hunger staff and grant applicants on proposal: October–December 2025
Award notifications shared with applicants: January 2026
2026 Domestic Hunger Grants start date: March 1, 2026
Let us not succumb to the divisiveness of our world but rather join together to fight the great injustice that is having some of us fed and others who are not. Thank you for your creative, courageous work toward a just world where all are fed. If you have any questions, please contact us at hunger@ELCA.org
A.B. 30 – This bill extends existing law to include local detention facilities alongside the Department of Corrections in providing records to assist in evaluating and treating defendants found incompetent to stand trial.
S.B. 187 – This bill revises procedures for child protective custody, requiring child welfare agencies to approve or deny medical or mental health treatment within 14 days and clarifying placement decisions based on the child’s best interests. It also modifies timelines for searching for relatives, sibling placement exceptions, and termination of parental rights to align with federal requirements.
A.B. 90 – This bill expands the definition of “detention facility” to include regional facilities for the treatment and rehabilitation of children and requires juvenile courts to make specific findings before committing a child to such a facility, in addition to state facilities. It also mandates that detention facilities inform children and their parents or guardians of their rights under the Juvenile Justice Bill of Rights.
S.B. 52 – This bill requires school districts to report the percentage of immigrant, refugee, English learner, and other related pupil groups, and it modifies the definition of “long-term English learner.” It also allows third-grade students to qualify for a good-cause exemption from retention by demonstrating mastery of grade 3 reading standards through a portfolio of their work, rather than requiring mastery beyond grade 3 standards.
S.B. 424 – This bill requires county or city clerks to recruit election board officers for polling places on Indian reservations or colonies unless the tribe declines. It also mandates at least one training class for election board members staffing these locations, either in person or remotely, unless the tribe opts out.
S.B. 84 – This bill requires the Division of Public and Behavioral Health to ensure that programs for the treatment of domestic violence offenders use evidence-based curriculum and instructional materials as part of their certification and monitoring regulations.
S.B. 352 – This bill expands existing non-discrimination laws by prohibiting both public and private health insurance policies, including Medicaid, from discriminating against individuals based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or gender identity/expression. It also prohibits healthcare providers from discriminating based on these characteristics and grants regulatory bodies the authority to adopt specific anti-discrimination regulations and discipline violators.
Lutheran Engagement and Advocacy in Nevada 