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Guest Editor's Note
After years of pounding the pavement seeking more money for youth, many old-time advocates find ourselves in a strange new
world in 2009. In the midst of economic uncertainty, there is one thing that is for certain -- we are now going to have
to spend a lot of money to jumpstart our economy and spur job recovery.
So is our job over?
No. Now is the time to support an economic recovery plan
that encompasses vulnerable youth and families, so those who have suffered
the most can share in the recovery.
As several reports indicate, when the economy goes sour,
children and families suffer the most. We need to remind our leaders that
getting money to states and services to help families in need is urgent now
more than ever -- to help families keep their housing, avoid delays in
treatments, keep nutritious foods on the table, and ensure that families'
dreams for their children are not turned to dust.
Our voices are also needed to make the case that young
people and families need to be an integral part of our recovery -- with improved
access to job training services, quality child care, college support and other
vital investments in their future.
Read on to find out how to reach key leaders and urge them to
support a recovery package that ensures that children, youth and those most
in need can share in the recovery.
- Jan Richter, CFK outreach and advocacy director emeritus
jan@connectforkids.org
CFK works to gather, synthesize and promote the news, research, trends
stories from across the child and youth field. To suggest content, email weekly@connectforkids.org
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New on Connectforkids.org
 Top Youth Activism Victories of 2008
In a year that saw war, violence, human rights abuses and
environmental degradation, WireTap also found powerful examples of young people
making a real difference.
 Lessons Learned from Tracking Brenda Eheart and Hope Meadows
When I launched
Child Advocacy 360 Foundation and its news service in 2007, one of our first
Who's Doing What That Works stories was about Hope Meadows, the
multi-generational community in Rantoul,
Illinois created by Brenda Krause
Eheart, Martha Bauman Power, Carolyn Casteel and a small group of like-minded
friends.
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Can We Share the Recovery With Kids?
 The economic crisis is hitting kids hard -- from deepening poverty and financial insecurity
to state cutbacks in health care coverage, cutbacks in
college loan options and scarcer community services. As children and families share a disproportionate burden in tough times, advocates are asking policymakers to share the benefits of recovery.
Economic Crisis Demands Next New Deal
 True Majority and US Action are leading a coalition for a recovery package that stabilizes financial institutions; guarantees quality, affordable health care; grants all children access to high quality education from early childhood through college; develops a clean energy economy and independence from fossil fuels and oil; tackles poverty and strengthens our nation's infrastructure.
States Need Aid to Maintain Services
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reported that at least 44 states are facing budget shortfalls -- the budget gaps for the remainder of this fiscal year to 2011 are estimated to more than $350 billion. At least 30 states have made or proposed budget cuts that threaten vital services, including public health, education and state workforce reductions.
How can the recovery package help children and youth? Several organizations have suggestions:
- Between 62,000 and 120,000 new jobs could be created if the recovery package includes an $4.3 billion boost for Head Start, according to the National Head Start Association.
 - The National Institute for Early Education Research argues that to help young children, the new administration and Congress will have to make significant changes to reverse cuts in child care subsidies and boost quality standards for child care.
- Parents are trying to make do with less; often, pulling their kids out of quality child care because of reduced income. NACCRRA offers a recovery plan to maintain quality child care and the child care workforce during these tough times.
- Several groups are supporting efforts to ensure that the recovery package includes money for the Social Services Block Grant, Medicaid, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, and the Title IV-E program.
- The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports that the number of homeless families with children is climbing -- but, effective homelessness prevention strategies would cost just one-half of one percent of the overall package.
- The Urban Institute
says Congress will need to consider increasing program funds and
relaxing work-participation requirements if unemployment continues to
rise.
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Where will you be Tuesday?
Inauguration Events for the Latino Community
La Raza has a schedule of inauguration events, including
events for the Latino community.
Children's Pressline
Children's Pressline will be in Washington, D.C. on January 18, from 2:00-5:00 pm. Space is limited. For details, email Sarah Kennedy at rallswashington@aol.com.
Children's Inaugural Ball
The Every Child Matters Education Fund "Children's
Inaugural Ball" will take place from noon-5:00 pm on January 18 in Washington, D.C. The
celebration will include live music and entertainment, games, children's
mini-classes, recorded history activities, including displays of how earlier
presidents improved the well-being of children and families, and more.
Inauguration Offers "Teachable" Moment
If you can't bring kids to the inauguration, you can still
use it as a great "teachable" moment on the transition of government and the
value of citizenship. The Learning First Alliance has identified resources to
help schools commemorate the occasion.
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Mentoring & the Spirit of Service
January is National Mentoring Month
The National Mentoring Month website has materials to promote youth mentoring in your local community.
Semester of Service 2009
Join Youth Service America in
mobilizing young people to improve their communities during the Semester of
Service that kicks off on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 19. Semester of
Service provides the framework and tools for children and youth, aged 5 to 25, to prepare a plan, take action to implement their solution,
reflect on their progress and next steps and celebrate their success.
Making MLK Day a Day of Engagement, Not a Day Off
The America's Promise Alliance has a PSA that features General Colin Powell and Alma Powell calling for
individuals and organizations to learn about service projects in their
communities and lend time and energy to make the upcoming Martin Luther King,
Jr. Day a day of engagement, not a day off.
A New Spirit of Service: How the President Can Improve Civic Engagement and Promote Economic Opportunity
David Smith, Executive Director of the National Conference
on Citizenship, argues that a worsening economic crisis provides an opportunity
to embrace national service as a road to economic prosperity for vulnerable
young workers. |
Health & Health Care
 Left Behind: America's Uninsured Children
One in nine children in America is uninsured, according to
a new Families USA's report. The vast majority of uninsured children -- 88.2 percent -- come
from families where at least one parent works and five states (Texas, California, Florida, New York and Georgia)
account for nearly half of all uninsured children in the country.
Disturbing Trends in Adolescent Medicine
A new report from the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine finds that physical activity
among adolescents has decreased in the past 10 years and rates of chronic
diseases, such as asthma and diabetes, have increased. The report also found
that, although 10-20 percent of adolescents annually experience a mental health
disorder such as anxiety or depression, their access to specialized mental
health care has decreased.
See also:
Teen Pregnancy Reverses Downward Trends
New data finds widespread increases in teen birth rates in
2006 in all ethnic groups and many states; states with the lowest teen birth
rates showed the least change. Kristen Moore of Child Trends says the new
state-by-state data suggest that the downturn in birth rates is over.
See also:
Focusing on Infants and Toddlers in State Advisory Councils
As part of the 2007 reauthorization
of Head Start, State Advisory Councils on Early Childhood Education and Care
must be  established for children from birth to school entry. The ZERO TO THREE
Policy Center and the National
Governors Association's Center for Best Practices
is hosting a webinar on January 29 at 2:00 pm EST on including a focus on infants and toddlers in State Advisory Councils on
Early Childhood Education and Care.
 TV Ads Contribute to Child Obesity
A statistical analysis of children's television viewing habits and obesity
suggests that the content and frequency of food ads leads children to seek out
not-so-good-for-you foods. The number of overweight children in the U.S.
could be decreased by as much as 18 percent if these advertisements were banned
from children's television programs.
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Out-of-School Time
Measuring Youth Program Quality: A Guide to Assessment Tools, Second Edition
In 2007, the Forum for Youth Investment released the first edition of this
report comparing the purpose, history, structure, methodology, content and
technical properties of different program observation tools to help individuals
and systems make sound decisions. The second edition includes a new instrument
and updated technical and practical information.
What Do Out-of-School Time Programs Cost?
A new report from The Wallace Foundation highlights findings
from their newest study as well as a new National League of Cities'  Institute
for Youth, Education and Families strategy guide describing options cities may
consider for financing programs in a tight fiscal environment. There is a free audioconference on January 22 at 2:30-3:30
pm EST about the reports. Advance
registration is required by January 20.
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Take Action!
Save SCHIP
Congress could vote this week on
the reauthorization of SCHIP; this legislation expands health care for kids who
are in working families that make too much to qualify for Medicaid, but who
don't make enough to afford private insurance. Several organizations could use your help in contacting your representatives:
- Families USA and The Coalition on Human Needs have a toll-free number to urge your Representatives and Senators to enact these measures. Call 1-800-828-0498.
- Families USA also has a tool to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper urging health care reform.
- The Every Child Matters
Education Fund also has a tool to contact your representative.
 From "Yes We Can" to "Yes We Will" for Stronger Schools
The Forum for Education and Democracy asks five minutes of your time to sign a
web-based national petition to elevate the needs of young people and public
schools during Obama's first 100 days (and beyond).
Health Care Reform and Children: The Prognosis for Change in 2009
The Urban Institute is hosting this conference on January 15
at 9 am. If you can't attend in person, listen to a live audio webcast.
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Essay Contest
The U.S.
still lags behind the rest of the world in ratifying the UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child (CRC), a treaty that outlines children's rights to
protection,  care and safety. The Campaign for U.S. Ratification of the CRC has
launched its second nationwide essay contest, open to U.S. students in grades 6 through
12. Five winners will receive airfare and accommodations for the Campaign's 2009 Symposium. Deadline: March 20
American Youth Policy Forum on Financial Aid for Student Success
On February 6, experts will present the latest research on
financial aid practices that support student enrollment and persistence, as
well as recommendations for reforming federal student aid.
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Grants and Funding Resources
Foundations Respond to the Economic Crisis
Where are the grants going? Check your state and check by category with this
interactive Foundation
Center site that tracks
grants, loans and other help to local charities during the economic downturn.
Funding for Mentoring Programs
National organizations can apply for up to $10 million for a
period of 3 years for Department of Justice funding to support mentoring
programs. Deadline: February 25.
Call for Healthy Schools Heroes 2009
Do you know someone whose persistence and courage has
protected children from school hazards and unhealthy school conditions? Nominate them for the Healthy Schools Hero Award. Deadline: February 15.
Salud America!
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will award 20 grants of
up to $75,000 each for research on environmental and policy solutions to the
epidemic of obesity among Latino children. Deadline: February 6.
The Big Read
An initiative of the
National Endowment for the Arts and the  Institute of Museum
and Library Services, The Big Read is designed to revitalize the role of literature in
American culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the
lives of its citizens. Approximately
400 organizations
will be selected for grants from $2,500 to $20,000. Deadline: February 3. |
Jan Richter and Thaddeus Ferber
Connect for Kids and the Forum for Youth Investment
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