Event: Conference call to address the mental health needs of children in early education
Organized by: Pre-K Now
Where/When: Washington, D.C., March 15, 2005

This discussion included three key speakers: Peggy Nikkel, Executive Director of UPLIFT Wyoming, who addressed the general public as she relayed her personal experiences; Mary Beth Bruder, P.H.D of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine; who addressed educators, and Jane Knitzer, Ed.D., of the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) at Columbia University, who addressed policy makers and legislative change.http://www.uconnucedd.org/facbios.html

CFK reports from: The Rayburn House Office Building
Event: Making Out-of-School-Time Matter: Evidence for an Action Agenda
Organized by: The RAND Corporation
Where/When: Washington, D.C., March 14, 2005

In conjunction with a series of research briefings, the RAND Corporation presented Making Out-of-School-Time Matter: Evidence for an Action Agenda. Research was conducted by RAND and supported by The Wallace Foundation. The researchers identified and assessed various methods that could potentially improve support for before- and after-school programs.

CFK reports from: Brookings Institution
Event: Discussion of the Spring, 2005 issue of The Future of Children journal, "School Readiness: Closing Racial and Ethnic Gaps."
Organized by: The Brookings Institution and Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School
Where/When: Washington, D.C., March 15, 2005

Today, two panels of experts discussed policy perspectives, research findings and practical issues surrounding the problem of racial and ethnic gaps in school readiness which put many low-income youngsters at a disadvantage even before they start kindergarten.

CFK reports from: Capitol Hill
Event: press conference announcing bipartisan support for afterschool programs
Organized by: The Afterschool Alliance
Where/When: Washington, D.C., March 3, 2005

Today on Capitol Hill, several members of Congress established the first-ever “Afterschool Caucuses” -- one in the Senate and one in the House. Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and John Ensign (R-NV) and Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) will serve as co-chairs of the bipartisan efforts.

Event: Conference call on how to address mental health needs of young people in the juvenile justice system.
Organized by: Connect for Kids
When: February 28, 2005

Lourdes Rosado, attorney with the Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia, reviewed recent research that documents the large percentage of youth with mental health needs (learning disorders, mental health disorders, substance abuse problems) in the juvenile justice system. The research also shows that girls in the system are more likely to suffer from mental health problems than boys.

Event: conference to promote early literacy screening in children 2-5 years old.
Organized by: National Center for Learning Disabilities
Where/When:Washington, D.C., February 23, 2005

Children in foster care face long educational odds: Only about 50 percent graduate from high school, only 11 percent of those high school graduates pursue post-secondary education and only 4 to 7 percent finish college or vocational school nationally.

CFK reports from:Capitol Hill
Event: press conference announcing bipartisan support for Federal Youth Coordination Act
Organized by: The National Collaboration for Youth
Where/When: Washington, D.C., February 16, 2005

Today on Capitol Hill, the National Collaboration for Youth held a press conference to show support for the passage of the bipartisan Federal Youth Coordination Act of 2005.

CFK reports from: The Brookings Institution
Event: panel discussion on U.S. immigrant policy
Organized by: Brookings and Princeton University
Where/When: Washington, D.C., December 16, 2004

This briefing was composed of two different panel discussions on immigrant policies and how they affect immigrant children.

CFK reports from: The Russell Senate Office Building
Event: Four panels conducted discussions on major social and economic challenge
Organized by: The Atlantic Monthly and New America Foundation
Where/When: Washington, D.C., February 7, 2005

Following President Bush’s February 3rd State of the Union address, the organizers presented the 3rd Annual Real State of the Union: National Policy Forum. Four panels conducted discussions on major social and economic challenges that face the United States today...

CFK reports from: The National Press Club
Event: panel releases report: “Uncharted Waters: Paying Benefits from Individual Accounts in Federal Retirement Policy”
Organized by: The National Academy of Social Insurance
Where/When: Washington, D.C., January 26, 2005

Today, the National Academy of Social Insurance released a 224-page report titled “Uncharted Waters: Paying Benefits from Individual Accounts in Federal Retirement Policy.”