CFK Update: October 21
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Bringing you relevant news, research and policy updates
affecting children, youth and families.
October 21, 2009
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Editor's Note
By now we've all heard the grim statistics: more than seven thousand U.S.
students drop out every school day. Our 50 largest cities fail to graduate half
of all high school students each year.
What happens to these young people?
Here's another stat, and it's not a typo: on any given day, 23 of every 100 black
males age 16 to 24 who have dropped out of high school are in jail, prison or a
juvenile justice facility.
Compare that with six or seven in 100 young
Asian, Hispanic and white students who have dropped out, according to a new
Center for Labor Market Studies report.
Jail, early parenting, low-wage jobs -- the lifelong costs to young people are
severe, as is the cost to the country as a whole. A study by the Alliance for Excellent
Education study finds that if students who dropped out of the Class of
2009 had graduated , they would have benefited the economy by nearly $355 billion in their lifetimes.
To address this crisis, we need a uniform graduation rate measurement across all states (currently underway). We also need to invest in and replicate programs that reach young people who are disconnected and re-engage them in learning, job and life skills.
I'd go on -- but an October 19th article in the St. Louis American does a great job setting the context, outlining possible solutions, and identifying federal policies to watch, including the Race to the Top initiative and No Child Left Behind (and all this despite its rather sensational title: New Report says Black Male Dropouts Lead Nation in Incarceration.) It's a good read.
Another important approach is to engage parents, families and young people themselves in education and in their communities.
This week, CFK is running an article on a new parent involvement program in Los Angeles schools -- even as a new Harvard/National PTA study underscores the importance of engaging parents and families in their children's learning, and offers innovative ideas from six school districts.
On October 26, the America's Youth Council Network (supported by the Ready by 21 National Partnership), will bring young people to Capitol Hill to explain the concept of Youth Councils -- in which young people advise policymakers on the issues that matter to them -- and how they're making a difference across the country.
Also this week: new resources to stay on top of health care reform as it moves forward (we hope) in Congress ... the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention turns 35 ... states are slow to tap child care stimulus funds... and more.
Keep working for kids, everyone,
Caitlin
Caitlin Johnson, managing editor, Connect for Kids
(Jan Richter is on vacation but you can reach her at jan@connectforkids.org.)
Coming soon: CFK is merging with the Youth Policy Action Center and
National Youth Development Information Center to bring you SparkAction: for children, for youth, for change later this fall.
--
CFK gathers, synthesizes and promotes news, research, and stories from the child and youth field. To suggest content, email weekly@connectforkids.org.
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Not to Be Missed
Two items worth a little spotlight...
Engaging Youth in Policymaking: Lessons from State & Local Youth Councils (October 26, Washington, DC)
 Youth Councils give young people a chance to advise mayors, governors and even federal policymakers on issues ranging from education and juvenile justice to nutrition, health care and more. At this Capitol Hill briefing, you'll hear directly from young people about their experiences, and what makes a good Youth Council work. RSVP online.
It's Not Too Late to Take the Challenge and Win $ for Your Cause!
 Your organization can use the power of social
media to win awards of up to $50,000 in this challenge sponsored by the Case
Foundation, Causes on Facebook and PARADE. All you have to do is post your cause online and invite friends and supporters to donate; if your cause is among the most popular, Case will chip in from $500 up to $50,000. It really works.
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 New on Connect for Kids
Parents Design L.A. Parent Involvement Model
by Ellen Noyes, Children's Advocate
This year, the Los Angeles Unified School District launched a new
model for parent involvement that specifically addresses the
needs of "parents of color with kids who struggle in urban schools." It's designed by and for parents to improve learning and connection to schools.
College Mental Health: A Different Diagnosis
by Annie Robinson, WireTap Magazine
Student struggles with college mental health services are leading to some important changes across the country. Here's a fresh perspective from young people themselves.
Related Reading - see the next section, below.
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Mental Health on College Campuses
Colleges See Rise In Mental Health Issues
On Oct. 19, National Public Radio's Morning Edition examined recent national data showing that a record number of college students are seeking psychiatric help -- due at least in part to better awareness and diagnosis. Read or listen online.
Youth Voices >>
Hear Their Stories: Dealing with Depression & Mental Illness
Check out NPR's audio excerpts of student actors reading essays written by their peers (courtesy of Stanford Theatre Activist Mobilization Project).
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 Ready for College, Work and Life
In early November, the American Youth Policy Forum will release a comprehensive publication describing 23 programs that have been proven to help young people
successfully complete high school ready for success in post-secondary
education and careers. It will include stories, a logic model, policy recommendations and more.
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Juvenile Justice News
The Consequences of Dropping Out of High School
A new Center for Labor Market Studies report finds lifelong labor
market, earnings and marriage problems for all young people who drop
out of high school -- but especially young black men. Nearly 23 percent of all black males ages 16 to
24 who have dropped out are in jail, prison, or a
juvenile justice institution.
Put another way, there's a "22 percent daily jailing rate for young black men who drop out," according to the study.
 In the Year 2014...
The Reclaiming Futures initiative posted a very cool thing this week: a recap and 88-second video of experts pondering what the juvenile justice reform and adolescent substance abuse treatment could look like in 2014.
Four Things You Can Do for Juvenile Justice Reform
Also on Reclaiming Futures, a blog by Grace Bauer, Field Organizer for the Campaign for Youth Justice.
OJJDP at 35: Share Your Thoughts
Youth Today reports that "anticipation is building for the Nov. 10 forum featuring the
former administrators of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention." To add your voice to the collective online conversation, visit the Youth Today Exchange.
Global Youth Justice Launches
Global Youth Justice is a solutions-focused network of information and inspiration to promote peer justice and youth empowerment programs, for example youth court. Learn more, sign up for the e-newsletter and get involved on the new site.
Coming Soon to CFK: an interview with Global Youth Justice founder Scott Peterson. Watch for it in the next Update!
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Healthy Kids, Healthy Food
School Meals: Building Blocks for Healthy Children
The
Institute of Medicine just released its recommendations for new
nutrition standards to make school meals more healthy. More fruit and vegetables, less saturated fat -- no surprises really, except that the USDA-defined regulations for school nutrition standards haven't changed since 1995. (In fairness, the USDA requested these new guidelines from the IOM.)
Nutrition Assistance Bill Passes Senate
The U.S. Senate passed a
bill (H.R. 2997) to fund Agriculture
programs. A few highlights, with thanks to the National Human Services Assembly: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was
funded at $58.3 billion, the WIC program at $7.3 billion, and
the Emergency Food Assistance Program at $49.9 million.
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Spotlight on Health Care Reform
The House and Senate are each working to finalize their versions of the health care reform bill, with the Senate bill expected to hit the full floor next week. It remains to be seen whether the final bills will include a public option and/or requirements for employers to offer health insurance.
Keeping Track of Health Reform - CWLA Resources
 The
Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) says health reform efforts offer
an opportunity to meet the needs of all Americans, particularly
vulnerable children,
youth, and families. But who can keep track of all the versions of the
bills in the House and Senate Committees? You can, with the help of
CWLA's resources.
Public Opinion on Reform: Latest Findings
What do "we the people" really think about reform and the public option? Some new findings:
- A Washington Post-ABC poll finds support for a "government-run health-care plan to compete with
private insurers ... wins clear majority
support from the public."
- On October 8, the Brookings Institution and WorldPublicOpinion.org unveiled new public opinion data -- you can see the poll results and videos of experts discussing the findings, context and questions online.
- The latest Kaiser Health Tracking Poll finds that public support for
health reform ended its summer slide, reversed course and moved
modestly upwards in September.
Health Care Reform: What's in it for Kids & Families Fact Sheet
CFK
is also keeping a fact sheet on health reform to help you stay
up-to-date -- we're updating the tools, news and polls as frequently as
we can.
Youth Voices >>
 Youth and Health: Public Discussion around Personal Decisions
Young
people say pregnancy, sexuality, obesity and body image are
important, but often personal -- youth activism on
health issues is low. 13-year-old What Kids Can Do reporter
Danielle Hensley looks at what issues do matter and how social media
and offline campaigns are energizing young activists.
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 The Early Years - State Data
It used to be hard to get credible, current state-by-state data on demographics and policies addressing the needs of children and families. Not anymore. Here's a look at some organizations covering early childhood.
Early Child Care and Development
NAEYC has a state round-up of early childhood care and development data, including how states are using stimulus funds.
 States & the Child Care and Development Block Grant Stimulus Funds
States have another year (until September 30, 2010) to spend federal ARRA dollars added to Child Care and Development Block Grants. So far states have drawn down only 9 percent of the $2 billion available. The Center for Law and Social Policy has a state-by-state chart.
Kids Count
Of course, we can't forget the Kids Count project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which recently published its annual state-by-state report. County by county reports will be released throughout the year by the Kids Count state organizations.
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 Finding Funding
Opportunities for Federal-Philanthropic Partnership
The
Open Society Institute and the Annie E. Casey Foundation offer a description of
opportunities for partnership between the federal government and philanthropic
organizations, as part of the Recovery Act
and the Serve America Act.
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Caitlin Johnson and Thaddeus Ferber
Connect for Kids and the Forum for Youth Investment
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