CFK Weekly February 6, 2008

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

February 6, 2008

In This Issue

Reconnecting Youth [2]

Federal Budget and Stimulus: Kids and Families [3]

Kids & the Political Process [4]

Foster Care Resources [5]

Education News [6]

After-School Resources [7]

Tools for Your Work [8]

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Quick Links

Connect for Kids [10]

Forum for Youth Investment [11]

Youth Policy Action Center [12]

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 [13]. 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.

Connect for Kids joins you in celebrating Black History Month!
Caitlin Johnson
weekly@connectforkids.org [14]

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[15]To read PDF files, download the free Adobe Reader [16].

Reconnecting Youth

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[17]What Works for Disconnected Youth -- Two New Studies [18]
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. [19] 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. [20] 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.

The Federal Budget and Stimulus: Money Matters for Kids and Families budget

President Bush Proposes FY 2009 Budget [21]
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.

The President's full proposal is on the Office of Management and Budget [22]

Department of Education's Budget Overview: Eliminations [23]

President's Budget Disregards Sound Investments for Young Children (CLASP) [24]

Children's Defense Fund Says Budget Leaves Millions of Children, Low-Income Families Behind [25]

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:

National Youth Employment Coalition [26](see Legislative Updates)

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) [27]

Coalition on Human Needs [28]

Economic Policy Institute [29]

[30]Kids & The Political Process

Getting Kids Interested: It's Their Future [31] Common Sense Media has resources, links and curriculum ideas for revving kids' interest in and understanding of politics.

Campaign Drama, Classroom Lessons [32]
The presidential campaign season provides a prime opportunity to explain the importance of elections and the discourse they trigger.

Social Welfare Conservatism [33]
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.

Foster Care Resources

kids are waiting

Child Abuse and Neglect Cost Nation over $100 Billion per year; Most Federal Child Welfare Funds Unavailable for Prevention [34]
A new study by Prevent Child Abuse America estimates that child abuse and neglect cost the national $104 billion annually. The calculation includes direct, indirect and long-term costs of abuse. A companion report from Kids Are Waiting looks at effective prevention programs, and notes that states are allowed to use only 10 percent of the major federal child welfare funding (Title IV-E) for prevention programs and supports. The reports are:

Time for Reform: Investing in Prevention, Keeping Children Safe at Home [35]

Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States [36]

[37]American Humane/Casey Breakthrough Series Collaborative on Safety and Risk Assessments: RFA [38]
Casey Family Programs and the American Humane Association are sponsoring a 33-month effort to use the Breakthrough Series Collaborative methodology (adapted from the health care field) to improve child welfare safety and risk assessments and decision making. The Request for Applications will be released on February 11. For more information, contact Donna Parrish, Project Manager, at donnap@americanhumane.org [39].

Education News CCFY logo

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Feds Launch "Doing What Works" Site [41]
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 [42] -- 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 [43]

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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) [45]
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

4h Journal of Youth Development

[46]Rural After-School Programs: Meeting the Needs of At-Risk Youth and Their Families [47]
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) AYPF

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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) [49]
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.

Child Care and Early Learning

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Parents as Teachers 2008 Conference (March 31-April 3) [51]
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.

clasp

[52]Supporting Families, Nurturing Young Children: Early Head Start Programs in 2006 [53]
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 [54]
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.

TYC

[55]New! Teaching Young Children [56]
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 [57]
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 action alert

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Measuring Influence: Advocacy Evaluation Challenges and Successes [59]
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 [60]

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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.

[62]"The Millenials": Understanding and Utilizing Youth Culture (February 12) [63]
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 [64]
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.

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