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Editor's
Note
Based on your feedback, we now publish CFK Weekly every
two weeks -- and now you can help us pick a new name that
reflects the new schedule. Do you prefer CFK Update, CFK
Round-Up, CFK Reader or CFK Review? Cast
your vote here. And thank you!
This week, we've all got politics on the brain. Between
the primaries and the talk of stimulus, tax rebates and
the federal budget, there's a lot to consider if you
work with kids and families. In this issue, you'll
find clear assessments of how families and children fare
in the president's proposed federal budget and stimulus
plan. You'll also find tools to help you engage youth
in the upcoming election. Plus, you can take a look at
why "social welfare conservatism" makes sense
to so many.
Two new studies lay out the real cost of child neglect
and abuse, and why federal child welfare policies and
funds must do more to aid prevention and reform -- you'll
find those in the Foster Care section.
Also this week, two brand-new Education Department sites:
"Doing What Works" and the National Dashboard
bring you stories, innnovations and data.
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Reconnecting
Youth
 What
Works for Disconnected Youth -- Two New Studies
Two new reports form the Department of Education's
What Works Clearinghouse look at dropout prevention and
what can help improve educational outcomes for struggling
students:
- Intervention:
New Chance. New Chance helps young mothers
on welfare who have dropped out of school improve
their employment readiness and parenting skills. In
a randomized trial in 10 states, the program had some
small impact on mothers' school completion.
- Intervention:
First Things First. This is a reform model designed
to boost the academic achievement and labor market
skills of young people in schools that serve a large
number of economically disadvantaged students. It
was found to have no discernible effects on staying
in school -- but researchers note this is its first
year of implementation.
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The
Federal Budget and Stimulus: Money Matters for Kids and
Families
President
Bush Proposes FY 2009 Budget
On February 4, President Bush sent his fiscal year 2009
budget proposal to Congress. This year's $3.1 trillion
proposal makes "substantial cuts in areas ranging
from education, health care, disease control, and environmental
protection to emergency responders, and low-income heating
assistance," says the National PTA Washington Watch.
It eliminates 47 education programs and reduces funding
for 11 others, according to the Department of Education.
Plans to Stimulate the
Economy: Impact on Families, Summer Jobs
Congress and the president have pledged to pass an economic
stimulus package to boost the economy. The House approved
its plan but the Senate has yet to finalize its version;
both parties aim to send the bill to the President by
February 15, according to the Coalition on Human Needs.
The current Senate Finance Committee bill includes an
extension of unemployment benefits and additions to the
tax rebates and business tax incentives.
A Zandi analysis finds that rebates would do more to stimulate
the economy if they included lower-income workers -- food
stamps and unemployment get the highest ratings (see CBPP).
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP)
Committee proposed a $1 billion summer jobs program that
The National Youth Employment Coalition is urging be included
in any stimulus package. Here are some resources:
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 Kids
& The Political Process
Getting
Kids Interested: It's Their Future Common Sense
Media has resources, links and curriculum ideas for revving
kids' interest in and understanding of politics.
Campaign
Drama, Classroom Lessons
The presidential campaign season provides a prime opportunity
to explain the importance of elections and the discourse
they trigger.
Social
Welfare Conservatism
Here's one for adults: In this essay, Douglas Besharov
examines the nature of the true conservative's reluctance
to rush headlong into large, new government programs.
Besharov is an American Enterprise Institute scholar,
professor at the University of Maryland School of Public
Policy and was the first director of the U.S. National
Center on Child Abuse and Neglect. |
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Education
News
Feds
Launch "Doing What Works" Site
This new U.S. Department of Education site connects educators
to research on effective teaching practices and how to
implement them to improve student achievement. It includes
practice guides that evaluate research on a range of issues.
>> There's also a new National
Dashboard -- an online map that offers state-specific
Education Department data on graduation rates, reading
proficiency, participation in tutoring and more.
Voice
of America Series on Learning Disabilities
Voice of America -- yes, that Voice of America
-- has launched a series of reports exploring disorders
that interfere with learning, and how to deal with them.
You can listen online or read transcripts.
 Performance
Incentives: Their Growing Impact on American K-12 Education
(February 28-29)
The National Center on Performance Incentives policy conference
will be held at Vanderbilt University. The purpose is
to "neither endorse nor oppose performance incentives"
but to "explore all sides of the debate." Space
is limited. |
After-School
Resources
 Rural
After-School Programs: Meeting the Needs of At-Risk Youth
and Their Families
This study, in the most recent Journal of Youth Development,
examines the impact of after-school programs on rural
youth. Results indicate enhanced life skills and social
behaviors among youth attendees. Implications for future
research, programming and policymaking are discussed.
(Free registration required.)
Spotlight
on the NYC City-Wide Out-of-School Time Initiative (February
22)
Under the current mayor's leadership, New York City
is investing in evaluation, data systems and professional
development for out-of-school time programming -- and
the city's youth are already experiencing positive
results, as this American Youth Policy forum will explore.
Nominate
an Educator for a PASESetter Award (NYC)
The Partnership for After School Education (PASE) is accepting
nominations for its annual PASEsetter Awards of $10,000
per winner. Nominees must be on staff at a youth-serving
agency in New York City whose primary work is directly
with young people in the out-of-school time hours.
Deadline: February 22.
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Child
Care and Early Learning
Parents
as Teachers 2008 Conference (March 31-April 3)
This year's conference, Early Childhood Advocacy:
Getting Involved, Providing Support, Passing the Word,
will address: parent involvement, child mental health
issues, school readiness, diverse populations, innovative
interventions and service delivery strategies, and outcomes
measurement and demonstration of impact for children and
families. It will be held at the Renaissance Grand Hotel
in St. Louis, MO.
 Supporting
Families, Nurturing Young Children: Early Head Start Programs
in 2006
This Center for Law and Social Policy brief analyzes the
2006 data on the Early Head Start program, which serves
children under age 3 and pregnant women. Since 2004, more
Early Head Start children and pregnant women received
dental exams, and more pregnant women had health insurance
and access to mental health services.
Head
Start Funding Cut Just Two Weeks After Bipartisan Reauthorization
Bill Calling for Increased Investment is Approved
In December, the Head Start early childhood program was
reauthorized with bipartisan support and a call for increased
investment to reach more low-income children. Yet just
two weeks later, the federal appropriations bill cut Head
Start funding by the equivalent of the cost of reaching
more than 20,000 children this year. The President's
proposed 2009 budget also under-funds Head Start, reports
the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
 New!
Teaching Young Children
A new publication from the National Association for the
Education of Young Children shares best practices in early
childhood education, innovations, research and its implications.
Check out the site and download a sneak preview of the
first issue along with tips and discussions by teachers
about what works.
Leaving
Children to Chance: NACCRRA's Ranking of State Standards
and Oversight of Small Family Child Care Homes
Although federal and state government spend some $11 billion
each year on childcare subsidies, this NACCRA report finds
that many states fail to protect the health, safety and
well-being of children in small family childcare homes.
The report ranks states and calls on state governments,
Congress, professional organizations and parents alike
to push for accountability and quality care. |
Tools
for Your Work
Measuring
Influence: Advocacy Evaluation Challenges and Successes
Many nonprofits do advocacy work -- changing people's
minds, influencing decision makers and encouraging social
change. How do these organizations tackle the tough job
of evaluating this work? What counts as success? This
GrantStation primer can help you get started. Check out
the other articles in this series, too.
Monthly
Funding Tip: Access Private Funding
You can tap private funding by writing grant proposals,
building partnerships with local businesses and engaging
in community fundraising. Done correctly, it can be an
effective step toward sustainability -- but the process
can be tough. The latest Finance Project monthly funding
tip looks at how to overcome obstacles and which strategies
you should consider before going after private funding.
"The
Millenials": Understanding and Utilizing Youth Culture
(February 12)
Is the term "def" whack? What do young teens
think about work? If you're looking for ways to understand,
reach and engage young people, this Partners in Out-of-School
Time (POST) workshop can help. It will examine boomers
through millennials and compare career outlooks, work
ethic, use of technology and pop culture. It is part of
an ongoing POST Youth Practitioner Training Series.
2008
Generation Change Fellows and Interns
The Center for Community Change is excited to announce
that the 2008 Generation Change application period is
now open. The Center offers internships and fellowships
to train future progressive leaders. The deadline to apply
is March 15.
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Caitlin Johnson and Thaddeus Ferber
Connect for Kids and the Forum for Youth Investment
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Child
Abuse and Neglect Cost Nation over $100 Billion per year;
Most Federal Child Welfare Funds Unavailable for Prevention