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Editor's Note
It's the economy, but we're not stupid. The child and youth field has known for a long time that it takes passion, precision and dollars to make real change in the lives of young people and their communities. Now, with the rest of the country (and the world) talking about financial security and job losses and a new batch of officials heading to DC, the field is renewing its calls for comprehensive, coordinated investment in programs that impact kids. Will it happen? We'll all be watching. Even before the economic crisis, hunger was on the rise. New reports give us the numbers and bigger picture for kids and the nation. The good news, say advocates, is that we know what works and can afford, even in tight times, to make targeted investments to end food insecurity. At the same time, Pre-K costs are straining middle-class family budgets and advocates
worry that families may be forced to skimp on quality -- which can have
broad and far-reaching implications. In the Education Section, the New America Foundation's Federal Education Budget Project gets local with its new district-level federal school nutrition data. Is
your school losing money on its meal programs? Also this week: DOL releases new Family and Medical Leave rules, dental care coverage is making a difference for California kids and will Texas make a major change to its juvenile justice system? This and more below. Keep working for kids, everyone! And share your successes with us! Caitlin Johnsonweekly@connectforkids.org |
 New on Connectforkids.org
Boosting Your Recruitment and Enrollment -- Lessons from a New York Beacon Center
Engaging young teens in out-of-school time programs is no easy feat. Cypress Hills-East New York, a Beacon Center located in Brooklyn, has developed a strategy for recruiting and enrolling youth ages 9 to 14 for its school-year program. What works best? This Youth Development Institute brief shares the secrets of success.
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Hunger & Our Work with Youth
Understanding the Impacts of Hunger and How to Reduce It
Most of us see the impacts of hunger in our work with children, youth and families. Today, the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) released two new reports that build on recent USDA data to highlight the real cost of hunger in America. Even before the financial crisis, more than 36.2 million Americans struggled against hunger in 2007, up from 35.5 million in 2006 and 33.2 million in 2000, according to USDA.
Hunger hurts kids, both physically and the toll it takes on brain development, mental health and a child's ability to learn. FRAC calls on the new administration and Congress to make smart investments to end food insecurity. In short, we know what works and we have the resources -- even in tight economic times -- to end hunger in America.
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Kids & Families in a Turbulent Economy
The Pre-K Pinch: Early Education and the Middle Class
 Pre-K? I thought this section was about the economy? But it is: we know that quality pre-K matters for success in school and life. Yet, a large segment of middle-class families earn too much to qualify for state-funded early learning programs, but not enough to pay for even the average private programs on their own. For these families, the rising costs of pre-K are among their top household expenses -- therein lies "the pinch." This Pre-K Now report finds that costs and eligibility limits are shutting nearly a million kids out of effective programs. It includes recommendations to states and policymakers, such as considering eligibility factors outside of income, like single-parent status and military connection.
Families and a Fair Economy - Policy Recommendations
 Can we come out of the economic crisis with a more equitable economy for all families? Two new Center for Law and Social Policy reports tackle this issue. First, a look at the impact of the recession on low-income families, followed by specific workforce recommendations for Congress and the new Administration to ensure that all workers can share in the recovery.
What it Really Takes to Make It Across the Country
How much does a family in your
area really need to make ends meet? Two Web-based tools can help you get a sense of the picture:
A Guide to the Housing Crisis: Ten Questions and Answers
If you're
still trying to sort out what happened with "toxic assets," the mortgage crisis and what the
government bail-out really means, this brief from the Century
Foundation is worth a look.
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Education News
 Federal School Meal Programs in the States
The federal school nutrition programs are the second largest federal funding source for
public schools (after Title I), but that doesn't stop schools from
losing money on nutrition programs. Many districts are considering
tough choices, even as more families rely on the programs. The New
America Foundation's Federal Education Budget Project has the only
searchable and downloadable source of district-level federal school
nutrition data around. (Click on a state to find the information.)
Gates Foundation Releases Ambitious New Education Giving Plans
A new Gates Foundation initiative aims to double the number of low-income students who complete a college or post-high school degree, identify and pay higher salaries for good teaching, help average teachers get better and create more accurate tests and a national set of learning standards for high schools, according to The Seattle Times.
Can High Schools Prepare Students for Careers and College?
Yes they can, according to this new MDRC long-term study of Career Academies, which exist
in more than 2,500 U.S. schools and connect students with personalized
supports and work experience. The study finds that the choice between academics and careers is "a false dichotomy" and that these Academies
produce sustained employment and earnings gains without sacrificing
academic preparation.
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Juvenile Justice News
Future of Children: Juvenile Justice
Juvenile crime rates are down, as is enthusiasm for the "get-tough" reforms of the 1990s, including transferring young people to the adult justice system. The latest issue of the Future of Children examines juvenile justice system policy and practices and identifies reforms that are working to reduce juvenile crime -- including those that take into account that adolescents differ from adults and that the justice system alone is ill-equipped to address the needs of the young people involved.
IN THE STATES | Panel Suggests Abolishing Texas Youth Commission Prison System
The Dallas Morning News reports that the "Texas Youth
Commission remains so dysfunctional a year after sweeping reforms were
enacted that the agency should be abolished and its operations merged
with the state's juvenile probation authority, a legislative advisory
panel said Wednesday." This would create a new combined agency, the Texas Juvenile
Justice Department.
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Health and Mental Health
What's Happening with the FMLA?
New Rules for the Family and Medical Leave Act
On
November 17, the Department of Labor released its final regulations for
the Family and Medical Leave Act, which gives eligible workers
12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a new child or a family illness.
The final rules become effective on January 16, 2009.
 Analysis. The
National Partnership for Women and Families says the new rules mean
military families will have more access to leave. The bad news: all workers could face new barriers to accessing FMLA leave and
employers will have more access to private health information.
- Want to Take Action? The National Partnership has a widget to let you contact your elected officials and share your thoughts.
 Independent Evaluations of Healthy Kids Programs Find Substantial Gains in Kids' Dental Health Care
 Dental disease is the most common chronic childhood disease; untreated, it can lead to persistent pain, distraction from learning and other serious health problems. California's Healthy Kids insurance programs provide dental coverage for children in low- and moderate-income families -- and it makes a difference. Rigorous, independent evaluations of Healthy Kids in three counties finds that access to dental care has improved and unmet need for dental care declined, this Mathematica brief explains.
Heads Up: New Findings on Nation's Delivery of Children's Mental Health Care to be Released
New research by the National Center for Children in Poverty reveals that state-by-state policies continue to hinder children's mental health delivery, 25 years after the release of research and recommendations for a federal plan. We'll have info on the updated findings after the November 20-21 release at The Carter Center's symposium.
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 Grants & Awards
YouTube Your Organization!
The YouTube Nonprofit Program provides charitable organizations with the opportunity to tell their stories and connect with current and potential supporters, volunteers and donors. Find out how to become a designated Nonprofit channel.
Allstate Foundation
These grants support national and local programs working in one of three focus areas: Tolerance, Inclusion and Diversity; Safe and Vital Communities; and Economic Empowerment. Deadline: Rolling.
Arts Connect All
VSA arts and MetLife Foundation offer funds to arts organizations to create or enhance inclusive education programs for youth with disabilities by strengthening partnerships with local public schools. Deadline: December 12.
AmeriCorps 2009 State and National Grants
The U.S. Corporation for National and Community Service supports programs that improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. Deadline: Jan. 13, 2009.
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Caitlin Johnson and Thaddeus Ferber
Connect for Kids and the Forum for Youth Investment
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What if you Ran CFK?
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The National Center for Children in Poverty's Basic Needs Budget Calculator.