logo
Published on Connect for Kids / Child Advocacy 360 / Youth Policy Action Center (http://www.connectforkids.org)

CFK Weekly November 14

Untitled Document
Weekly Header [1]

Bringing you the most up-to-date and relevant news, research and policy developments affecting children, youth and families.

November 14, 2007
In This Issue
CFK and Child Advocacy360 Media Round-Up [2]
More Foster Care News [3]
Resources for Reconnecting Youth [4]
Families in Flux [5]
Child Well-Being and Family Income [6]
Education News [7]
Tools for Your Work [8]
Not a subscriber?
Join Our Mailing List [9]
Quick Links
Editor's Note

This week, foster care and child welfare grab the spotlight with a turbulent experiment in New York City and a comprehensive reform plan in Mississippi. Also, in Alabama, the numbers make the case that investing in abuse and neglect prevention and family services saves taxpayer dollars.

"Immigration raids" are making headlines across the country, but how do the children left behind fare? The Urban Institute has some answers.

Also this week: a new National Center for Children in Poverty study confirms that most low-income parents are working, and a Mott article looks at how families approaching the five-year time limit on public assistance are searching for a next step. Read on for education news, tools for your work, and more.

Caitlin Johnson
weekly@connectforkids.org [13]

PDF [14]To read PDF files, download the free Adobe Reader [15].
CFK and Child Advocacy 360 Media Round-Up

In Mississippi: A Sweeping Legal Victory for Kids [16]Childrens Rights [17]
Mississippi plans a serious overhaul of its child welfare system to do more to protect the approximately 3,400 abused and neglected children in its care. Last week, the state settled a class action lawsuit spearheaded by the advocacy group Children's Rights by enacting a truly comprehensive reform plan. Connect for Kids has the details -- and will track the progress of the reforms on our site.

A History of Neglect: Thoughtful Questions and Answers [18]
Last week on our Web site, Connect for Kids and Child Advocacy 360 featured the important New York Times series, "A History of Neglect," that investigated New York City's minority-run foster care system. It is a story the Times calls "as much of trouble as triumph": two agencies were banished from foster care, three others were closed for financial and contractual improprieties, but several others have shown improvement.

Now on the Times site are four sets of Q&A [19], in which writers Benjamin Weiser and Leslie Kaufman, along with a panel of experts, answered readers' thoughtful questions. Among the questions:
  • What is the foster care rate of minorities compared with white children?
  • Are any statistics kept on how foster care kids turn out?
  • Is there not a federal law that requires states to establish [a program of volunteer advocates for children in foster care]?
  • What is gained by minority-run agencies?
  • What happens to foster children when they are old enough to leave the system?
To that last point, Weiser writes, "One expert who has studied this issue is Mark Courtney, former director of the Chapin Hall Center For Children at the University of Chicago, and who is now at the University of Washington. 'The analogy I use,' he told me, 'is that any parent we know who said to their kid for their 18th birthday 'You're on your own,' I would consider an irresponsible parent.'"

Let us know, please, if you post a question: send the link to weekly@connectforkids.org [20].
More Foster Care News
Alabama [21]
The Costs of Child Abuse vs. Child Abuse Prevention: Alabama's Experience [22]
A 2007 study from the Center for Business and Economic Research of the University of Alabama finds that child abuse and neglect costs more than $520 million per year in direct and indirect expenses. The authors argue that increasing funds for prevention -- including prenatal classes and parent education -- could result in better outcomes for children and families and greater savings for taxpayers.

In Congress: the Kinship Caregiver Support Act
Generations United and other child welfare leaders are urging organizations to sign a letter of support for the Kinship Caregiver Support Act (H.R. 2188/S. 661). The bill would provide assistance to relatives who become the legal guardians of children in foster care. For more information, contact Terence Kane at Generations United: tkane@gu.org [23]. Generations United has an online summary of the Act. [24]
Resources for Reconnecting Youth

pdf [25]Healthy Teen Network [26]Engaging Youth ... On Their Turf: Creative Approaches to Connecting Youth through Community [27]
The publication from the Healthy Teen Network offers professionals new approaches to engaging teens. It highlights six examples of programs that reach out to youth in non-traditional communities,

The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development [28]4-H [29]
Here's more evidence that quality youth programs can benefit young people and communities alike. When communities, families and schools give young people access to development programs and opportunities for adult interaction and mentoring, youth succeed -- that's the main finding of a national longitudinal study released by the National 4-H Council.

A Place to Call Home Act [30]YPAC logo [31]
As we approach Thanksgiving, our thoughts turn to those less fortunate than ourselves. This includes the 3 million young people in the United States who lack safe places to live. The National Network for Youth is championing legislation to prevent and end youth homelessness. The Network has an action alert on the Youth Policy Action Center asking concerned adults to contact elected officials with the message that every young American needs a place to call home.

First Annual "Feed A Teen" Thanksgiving Day Dinner (Chicago) [32]
This Thanksgiving, Kids Off the Block (KOB) will feed hundreds of youth from across Chicago during its first annual "Feed a Teen" dinner. KOB is a nonprofit that gives youth positive alternatives to gangs, drugs, violence, truancy and the juvenile justice system. In addition to providing food and all the fixin's, the dinner will promote higher education and non-violence. For more information or to donate, contact Diane Latiker at (773) 995-9077.
Families in Flux

event [33]The Future of the Hispanic Family (November 15, Washington, D.C.) [34]
"For most Latinos, families are made and broken amid transformations in culture, economic footing, civic status, and identity," according to the Brookings Institution. Brookings' Center on Children and Families and the Annie E. Casey Foundation are hosting a forum to discuss trends in marriage and childbearing in the Hispanic community and address what actions policymakers and practitioners can take to strengthen Hispanic families and improve the well-being of children in these families.

What Happens to Children After Immigration Raids? [35]urban institute [36]
This issue affects families of all ethnic backgrounds, but Latinos are hit particularly hard, as they make up the largest share of immigrants. A new Urban Institute report and Thursday's Child forum examine (1) the impact of Immigration Custom and Enforcement's workplace raids on families, (2) who is responsible for protecting affected children and (3) what policies and procedures could alleviate the negative consequences on young people.
Child Well-Being and Family Income

New from the National Center for Children in Poverty [39]
Several great new resources on the impact of family income, poverty and work supports on child well-being:
 Searching for a New Safety Net [44]MOTT [45]
Sondra Jackson, a 40-year-old mother of three in Wheeling, West Virginia, has played by the rules of the 1996 welfare reform: she has worked -- but without more education, she'll be stuck in low-paying jobs. "With the clock ticking on the federal five-year time limit on her benefits, Jackson said she has had to fight officials in her state to be allowed to attend community college while receiving assistance," according to this Mott Foundation article.

Seeking Financial Stability: City Strategies to Help Families Save and Build Assets (November 15) [46]NLC [47]
Local initiatives to help families that are living paycheck to paycheck save and achieve financial stability will be the focus of this free National League of Cities audioconference. It will take place at 12:30 p.m. Eastern. Register by emailing full contact information to iyef@nlc.org [48].
Education News

No child inside [49]No Child Left I [50]nside [51]
Citing evidence that environmental education programs engage students, improve standardized test scores and help prepare young people to "live in a world confronting growing environmental challenges," the No Child Left Inside Coalition is pushing Congress to boost funds for outdoor learning in the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reauthorization.

RURAL [52]Why Rural Matters 2007 [53]
Rural school enrollment is growing, but states' focus on rural issues isn't keeping pace. The Rural School and Community Trust notes that overall enrollment in rural schools is up by 15 percent -- reversing years of declines -- and there has been a 55 percent increase in rural minority students, with some states experiencing increases of more than 100 percent.

Alaska Program gives Future Teachers Rural Experience [54]
A University of Alaska Anchorage program is giving future teachers a hands-on understanding of how to teach students from urban and rural areas, as the NBC affiliate KTUU in Anchorage reports.

Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year Award: Nominations Wanted [55]
The National Center for Family Literacy and Toyota are accepting applications for this award. The winner will receive a cash prize for his/her program and a free trip to the 2008 National Conference on Family Literacy in Louisville, Kentucky. Apply online. The deadline to submit nominations is December 5.
action alert [56]Tools for Your Work

William T. Grant Distinguished Fellows Program [57]
To increase the supply of, demand for and use of high-quality research in the service of improved youth outcomes and well-being, the William T. Grant Foundation gives researchers the opportunity to immerse themselves in practice or policy settings. Fellows receive up to $175,000 for the total duration of the Fellowship, which may range from six months to two years.

The Parenting Imperative: Investing in Parents So Children and Youth Succeed [58]
Parents and caregivers are one of the most important influences in positive child and youth development. The latest Family Strengthening Brief from the National Human Services Assembly explains what a "parenting success" strategy looks like and how it can strengthen families and communities. It offers best practices for community groups, agencies, funders and policymakers.

Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook: What Works [59]
The publisher of Education Week has launched an exclusive new resource guide on teacher professional development to help teachers: the Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook. The debut issue focuses on the expanding role of teacher collaborative work.

Hands-on Approaches to Helping Children Heal from Traumatic Events [60]
This new book from the International Center to Heal Our Children provides concrete examples of expressive strategies to use with children following traumatic events. It is designed for parents, school teachers, health and mental health providers, and other adults. (Cost: $35.95 for one, bulk orders discounted.)

Seeking Your Must Reads
What book have you read that influenced your thinking about management, leadership or the issues of the day? The National Human Services Assembly is compiling a list of "must reads" for people in the Human Services sector. Send your recommendations to adam@nassembly.org [61].

Caitlin Johnson and Thaddeus Ferber
Connect for Kids and the Forum for Youth Investment

Source URL:
http://www.connectforkids.org/node/5624

Links:
[1] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.connectforkids.org%2F&id=preview
[2] http://www.connectforkids.org/node/5624/print#1163f56adcb8d745_LETTER.BLOCK6
[3] http://www.connectforkids.org/node/5624/print#1163f56adcb8d745_LETTER.BLOCK7
[4] http://www.connectforkids.org/node/5624/print#1163f56adcb8d745_LETTER.BLOCK8
[5] http://www.connectforkids.org/node/5624/print#1163f56adcb8d745_LETTER.BLOCK9
[6] http://www.connectforkids.org/node/5624/print#1163f56adcb8d745_LETTER.BLOCK10
[7] http://www.connectforkids.org/node/5624/print#1163f56adcb8d745_LETTER.BLOCK11
[8] http://www.connectforkids.org/node/5624/print#1163f56adcb8d745_LETTER.BLOCK12
[9] http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1101389959199&id=preview
[10] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.connectforkids.org%2F&id=preview
[11] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forumfyi.org%2F&id=preview
[12] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youthpolicyactioncenter.org%2F&id=preview
[13] http://www.connectforkids.org/mailto:weekly@connectforkids.org
[14] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adobe.com%2Fproducts%2Freader%2F&id=preview
[15] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adobe.com%2Fproducts%2Freader%2F&id=preview
[16] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.connectforkids.org%2Fnode%2F5623&id=preview
[17] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.connectforkids.org%2Fnode%2F5623&id=preview
[18] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fcityroom.blogs.nytimes.com%2F2007%2F11%2F06%2Fask-about-new-york-foster-care%2F&id=preview
[19] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fcityroom.blogs.nytimes.com%2F2007%2F11%2F06%2Fask-about-new-york-foster-care%2F&id=preview
[20] http://www.connectforkids.org/mailto:weekly@connectforkids.org
[21] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fctf.state.al.us%2Fpdfs%2FCosts_Child_Abuse_vs_Child_Abuse_Prev.pdf&id=preview
[22] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fctf.state.al.us%2Fpdfs%2FCosts_Child_Abuse_vs_Child_Abuse_Prev.pdf&id=preview
[23] http://www.connectforkids.org/mailto:tkane@gu.org
[24] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gu.org%2FKinsh8111307.asp&id=preview
[25] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthyteennetwork.org%2Fvertical%2FSites%2F%257BB4D0CC76-CF78-4784-BA7C-5D0436F6040C%257D%2Fuploads%2F%257B3EE4600A-02E4-47B5-AC27-0A1B2CB543D3%257D.PDF&id=preview
[26] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthyteennetwork.org%2Fvertical%2FSites%2F%257BB4D0CC76-CF78-4784-BA7C-5D0436F6040C%257D%2Fuploads%2F%257B3EE4600A-02E4-47B5-AC27-0A1B2CB543D3%257D.PDF&id=preview
[27] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthyteennetwork.org%2Fvertical%2FSites%2F%257BB4D0CC76-CF78-4784-BA7C-5D0436F6040C%257D%2Fuploads%2F%257B3EE4600A-02E4-47B5-AC27-0A1B2CB543D3%257D.PDF&id=preview
[28] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fourhcouncil.edu%2Fnewsroom.aspx&id=preview
[29] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fourhcouncil.edu%2Fnewsroom.aspx&id=preview
[30] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fcapwiz.com%2Fmobilize%2Fissues%2Falert%2F%3Falertid%3D10283976&id=preview
[31] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fcapwiz.com%2Fmobilize%2Fissues%2Falert%2F%3Falertid%3D10283976&id=preview
[32] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidsofftheblock.org%2F&id=preview
[33] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brookings.edu%2Fevents%2F2007%2F1115family.aspx&id=preview
[34] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brookings.edu%2Fevents%2F2007%2F1115family.aspx&id=preview
[35] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Furban.org%2Fpublications%2F411566.html&id=preview
[36] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Furban.org%2Fpublications%2F411566.html&id=preview
[37] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Furban.org%2FPressroom%2Fthursdayschild%2Fnovember_2007.cfm&id=preview
[38] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Furban.org%2Furl.cfm%3FID%3D411566&id=preview
[39] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nccp.org%2F&id=preview
[40] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nccp.org%2Fpublications%2Fpub_784.html&id=preview
[41] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nccp.org%2Fpublications%2Fpub_786.html&id=preview
[42] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nccp.org%2Ftools%2Ffrs%2F&id=preview
[43] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nccp.org%2Ftools%2Ffrs%2F&id=preview
[44] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mott.org%2Fpublications%2FMott%2520Mosaic%2FAugust%25202007%2520v6n2%2Fpop%2520August%25202007.aspx&id=preview
[45] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mott.org%2Fpublications%2FMott%2520Mosaic%2FAugust%25202007%2520v6n2%2Fpop%2520August%25202007.aspx&id=preview
[46] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nlc.org%2Fiyef%2Fevents___audioconferences%2F1607.aspx&id=preview
[47] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nlc.org%2Fiyef%2Fevents___audioconferences%2F1607.aspx&id=preview
[48] http://www.connectforkids.org/mailto:iyef@nlc.org
[49] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eenclb.org%2F&id=preview
[50] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eenclb.org%2F&id=preview
[51] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eenclb.org%2F&id=preview
[52] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ruraledu.org%2Fsite%2Fapps%2Fnl%2Fcontent.asp%3Fc%3DbeJMIZOCIrH%26b%3D3508831%26ct%3D4537855&id=preview
[53] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ruraledu.org%2Fsite%2Fapps%2Fnl%2Fcontent.asp%3Fc%3DbeJMIZOCIrH%26b%3D3508831%26ct%3D4537855&id=preview
[54] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ktuu.com%2FGlobal%2Fstory.asp%3FS%3D7311093&id=preview
[55] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.famlit.org%2FToyotaTeacher&id=preview
[56] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fnational.unitedway.org%2Fgetengaged%2Findex.cfm&id=preview
[57] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wtgrantfoundation.org%2Finfo-url_nocat3042%2Finfo-url_nocat_show.htm%3Fdoc_id%3D253857%26attrib_id%3D10216&id=preview
[58] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nassembly.org%2Ffspc%2Findex.html&id=preview
[59] http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=xnjhrgcab.0.0.4aek4xbab.0&ts=S0298&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.teachersourcebook.org%2F&id=preview
[60] http://www.dcchildrens.com/dcchildrens/about/subclinical/subneuroscience/ichoc_resources.aspx
[61] http://www.connectforkids.org/mailto:adam@nassembly.org