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To subscribe, submit the form in the left column of this e-newsletter or visit www.nassembly.org. Newsbytes March 18, 2005 Newsbytes is the biweekly E-newsletter of the National Human Services Assembly that contains information for and about the nonprofit health and human services sector.
ASSEMBLY FEATURES Assembly Members Urge Congress Not to Weaken Investments in People and Communities Thirty-three (33) National Human Services Assembly members co-signed a letter urging U.S. House and Senate Budget Committees to ensure that the Nation's investment in critical programs for its citizens and communities is not weakened in the present budget process. The letter expressed concern over both the proposed cuts in domestic discretionary spending, specifically for human services and community development, and the proposed five-year cap on such spending. Concerns raised by National Assembly members and others may have helped convince the House Budget Committee to reject the proposed 5-year spending cap and the Senate Committee to propose a 3-year “soft cap.” To read the letter, CLICK HERE . For more information about the federal budget, see Policybytes . National Assembly Welcomes New Member The National Assembly would like to welcome Family Support America, our newest member. Family Support America is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in the family support movement with a reputation based on decades of leadership in building on families' strengths. Please take a moment to visit their website at www.familysupportamerica.org .
By Marcia Avner The Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook is a planning guide and resource for nonprofit organizations that want to influence issues that matter to them. This book will help you decide whether to lobby and then put plans in place to make it work. With this workbook you will learn how to initiate, support, and defeat bills, develop effective lobbying skills, gather and mobilize support, comply with state and federal regulations, and much more! Worksheets, sample agendas, and checklists break the process into doable steps. A complete case study, examples, and sidebars bring the process to life. Click here to learn more!
The Business Partners Program is a service for members of the National Assembly and their affiliates that leverages their combined purchasing power to reduce costs. Click on the logo above to see the complete list of National Assembly Business Services and Discounts. The Business Partners Program is made possible through the generous support of The UPS Foundation. Featured Business Partner
Note: If you were previously a Citizens Conferencing customer, the same rate will apply and your calling card number and code will remain the same. Generation
M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-olds Maternal
and Child Health Library Services Available The National Family Support Mapping Project The National Family Support Mapping Project is a Family Support America project to locate and collect information on every family support program in the country and to create a national database of comprehensive information on such programs. Mapped programs that provide key components and services are eligible for our certification program. For more information, click here. Two Free Publications Available from the National League of Cities "Strengthening America's Families: An Agenda for Municipal Leaders" underscores that strong cities are built on a foundation of strong families and offers policy and program options to local officials seeking new ways of doing business that will lead to better outcomes for children, families, and neighborhoods. "The Afterschool Hours: A New Focus for America's Cities," demonstrates the connection between the availability of quality afterschool programs and improving both the quality of life and economic development in cities. Download both publications by clicking here. The Salvation Army is Named One of World's Top Ten Enduring Institutions The Salvation Army was recently named one of the World's Top Ten Enduring Institutions by Booz Allen Hamilton, which asked leading scholars around the country to nominate institutions that have 'adapted, endured, and prevailed'. The Salvation is joined by Oxford University, the Olympic Games, The Rolling Stones and the American Constitution. For more information, click here.
Joint
Statement on FY 2006 Budget Resolution Senate Restores Funding for Critical Programs in Budget Resolution The U.S. Senate on March 17 voted to remove funding cuts to Medicaid, education programs, and community development programs in its FY 2006 Budget Resolution. It is uncertain, however, whether these changes will be adopted by the conference committee that will work out the differences between the House and Senate resolutions. The House budget resolution, for example, includes up to $20 billion in cuts to Medicaid. For more information and analysis of the federal budget, CLICK HERE. Local Officials Urge Congress to Save the Community Development Block Grant Program On March 15, Members of Congress joined local elected officials from across the country in urging the House and Senate to continue to fund the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program at current levels and support keeping this vital program in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. CDBG is the signature program for cities and counties to create jobs, increase economic development opportunities and expand home ownership. The National League of Cities' CDBG Resource Page includes issue papers, examples of how communities use CDBG grants, and things you can do to save the program. For more information, CLICK HERE. Senate Finance Committee Passes TANF Bill On March 9, the Senate Finance Committee approved the PRIDE bill (Personal Responsibility and Individual Development for Everyone), which would reauthorize Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Child Care and Development Block Grant through fiscal year 2010. The bill adds $6 billion in new child care funds, but the money would be raised, in part, by eliminating Earned Income Tax Credit eligibility for certain low-income immigrant families. For more information, CLICK HERE. Afterschool Alliance Issues Obesity Prevention Agenda The Afterschool Alliance released a national policy agenda on obesity prevention, citing the growing epidemic of childhood obesity in America and the unique role afterschool programs can play in reversing that trend. The agenda calls for significant investment in afterschool as a way to combat childhood obesity and offers recommendations for federal and state policy makers, funders, and program leaders. For more information, CLICK HERE.
The estate tax—referred to by some as the "death tax"—affects the wealthiest 2 percent of the population and represents a progressive source of federal revenue and a key incentive for charitable giving. A Brookings Institution briefing in Washington, DC on March 24 will analyze the reform movement that led Congress to phase out the tax by 2010. Speakers will also offer insights into the broader implications of the tax reform debate. For more information, CLICK HERE. Elinor Ferdon Honored in Local Magazine The March 2005 edition of "(201) The Best of Bergen", a local New Jersey magazine, featured National Assembly Board Secretary, Elinor (Ellie) Ferdon. Ellie is the former President of the Board for Girl Scouts of the USA and United Way of America. In an article entitled, Leadership Personified, Ellie is touted as a "natural leader." The article goes on to outline her many accomplishments, including establishment of the first Girl Scout troop on foreign soil. To obtain a copy of this magazine, click here. MENTOR Honors National Assembly Board Member Dr. Susan Weinberger “Faces of Mentoring” debuted in February with a profile of long-time mentoring expert Dr. Susan G. Weinberger, founder and president of the Mentor Consulting Group, a member of MENTOR 's Board of Directors and chairman of its Public Policy Council. Dr. Weinberger has been involved in the mentoring movement for many years, with a special expertise in school-based mentoring. Dr. Weinberger also servers as a director on the National Assembly Board of Directors. The Assembly would like to congratulate her and encourage you to visit the Faces of Mentoring website to read more about what Dr. Weinberger has accomplished. The Arcus National Fund supports efforts with national scope and impact to improve the quality of life of the GLBT community nationwide. Areas of special interest include social equity, public awareness and understanding, health and safety, and scientific inquiry. The next submission deadline for letters of inquiry is April 1, 2005. Nonprofit organizations applying for funds must have an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in place. For more information, click here. Focus
on Programs Serving the Needy The
Mattel Children's Foundation FASTEN's 2004 Partners in Transformation Awards Program(launched by FASTEN, an initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts, in cooperation with the Points of Light Foundation) FASTEN wants to know how your faith-based nonprofit or congregation has partnered with an organization(s) outside the faith community (e.g. schools, police, government agencies, secular foundation, etc.) Show you are successfully collaborating with others and solving real problems- and win money, recognition, and exposure! Over $60,000 in cash awards will be given to effective collaborations operating in AK, AL, AR, FL, ID, MI, NJ, OH, OK, or TX with an annual budget of less than $5 million (cash plus in-kind donations). A brief, “Round One” application is due on April 1, 2005. For more, click here
March 22, 2005, 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM at the AARP Headquarters, 601 E St NW, Washington, DC. This meeting requires an RSVP, to attend please email kkey@aarp.org National Collaboration for Youth Washington Group Meeting April 5, 2005, 1:30 - 3:00 PM, at the National Assembly, 1319 F Street, NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC. For more information, please contact david@nassembly.org Aging Caucus Meeting April 12, 2005, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the National Council on the Aging 300 D St SW, Suite 801, Washington, DC. For more information, please contact sara@nassembly.org National Collaboration for Youth Research Group meeting May 16, 2005, hosted by Girls Incorporated in Indianapolis, IN. For more information, please contact Pam Garza at pam@nassembly.org National Collaboration for Youth Program Group meeting May 19, 2005 hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters in Philadelphia, PA. For more information, please contact Pam Garza at pam@nassembly.org
CONFERENCES, TRAININGS, AND EVENTS TRAININGS & EVENTS The Child Welfare League of America's 2005 Teleconference Series includes five sessions from January to May on child trauma. Specifically, they will focus on the developmental impact of child trauma; how knowledge of child trauma can enhance child welfare practice in various settings, such as schools and residential treatment centers; and evidence-based child trauma interventions that can be used to treat child sexual abuse. The next call is on March 24. 14th Annual National Healthy Kids Day April 2, 2005 The 14th annual National Healthy Kids Day, sponsored by the YMCA of the USA, will bring kids and families together at more than 1,150 YMCAs across the nation to discover the wide range of wellness activities and youth sports available to kids. National Youth Service Day 2005 April 15-17, 2005
2005
National Volunteer Week - Inspire By Example Sponsored by the Points of
Light Foundation, National Volunteer Week is about thanking one of America's
most valuable assets – our volunteers – and calling the public's attention
to all that they do to improve our communities.
April 30-May 8, 2005 The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a diverse group of national organizations present the third Cover The Uninsured Week. The Week is a nationwide effort that features nonpartisan community town hall discussions about specific proposals for making health care more affordable and stable for all Americans, including the 45 million who are uninsured. For more information, visit http://covertheuninsuredweek.org/ May 17 & 18, 2005 The 4th Annual Afterschool
for All Challenge in Washington, DC, May 17th and 18th. Afterschool advocates
will gather in our Nation's capital to network, share advocacy ideas and
meet with Congressional leaders to discuss how afterschool is key to kids'
success. For more information, visit www.afterschoolalliance.org/challenge_2005.cfm. 2005 Points of Light Foundation Member and Connect America Partner Teleconferences The Points of Light Foundation offers teleconferences on a myriad of topics relevant to volunteer practitioners. Some take the form of short workshops; others are technical assistance calls; others may be discussion circles in which volunteer practitioners explore a new trend or rising concern in the field within the safe space of a facilitated call Whatever form they take, the calls are designed to help volunteer practitioners and leaders build the capacity of their organizations and communities to engage and mobilize volunteers to help solve serious social issues. Teleconferences are Free to Members of the Points of Light Foundation and $15 for Nonmembers (unless otherwise specified). To register for a teleconference, e-mail Nonprofit.gov@PointsofLight.org or call 202-729-3224. Registrations will be taken up to two hours prior to the call. Visit http://www.pointsoflight.org/resources/teleconferences/ for more information. UPCOMING CONFERENCES 32nd National Conference on Juvenile Justice March, 20-23, 2005 Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate Orlando, Florida Conference participants represent important decision makers, including judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, probation officers, correction and social workers. 16th National Youth Crime Prevention Conference and International Forum Youth Crime Watch America March 30-April 2, 2005 Miami, Florida Youth and their adult allies can find inspiration, valuable skills, prevention knowledge, and national resources in the fight against crime, violence, and drugs. CORE: Coalition for Residential Education National Conference Tasting Success: Steps Toward Independent Living April 9-12, 2005 Milton Hershey School YouthBuild Conference & Transformation Institute The YouthBuild Academy for Transformation will hold two Transformation Institutes (April 11-13 in Los Angeles and October 24-26 in Washington, D.C.) for directors, staff, teachers, counselors, policy-makers, and funders from the youth development, youth leadership, youth employment, after-school, and education arenas. Los Angeles, CA - April 11-13, 2005 Washington, DC - October 24-26, 2005 2005
LSA Annual Conference Fight, Work and Pray for Justice! April 12-15, 2005 Washington Marriott Washington, DC Sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services Independent Living-Transitional Living Conference May 18-20, 2005 Atlanta, GA, This conference will focus on the latest issues and trends concerning independent living and transitional living programs with an emphasis on economic opportunities for older youth in care. One Child Many Hands: A Multidisciplinary Conference on Child Welfare June 2 & 2, 2005 Philadelphia, PA Presented by The Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice & Research at the University of Pennsylvania. National Mental Health Association Justice for All June 9-11, 2005 Washington, DC 2nd National School-Based Mentoring Conference June 14-16, 2005 Fairmont Hotel Sponsored by Youth Friends Generations United 13th International Conference The Intergeneration Current: Across the Life Span and Around the Globe September 13-17, 2005 Washington, Marriott Washington, DC 2005 National Summit on Your City's Families Institute for Youth, Education, and Families National League of Cities September 25-28, 2005 San Antonio , TX "This exciting event focuses
participants' attention on what local government can do, both independently
and in partnership with others, to improve education and afterschool programs,
engage young people in community decision making, and create supports
for low-income working families." 2005 Healthy Communities-Healthy Youth Conference "The Asset-Building Get-Together: Creating Intergenerational Community" November 3-5, 2005 Dallas, TX InterContinental Hotel Sponsored by The Search Institute CLICK HERE to post your organization’s conference dates on the National Assembly’s website; click on “Add Your Own Event,” and follow the instructions.
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The
Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook for Nonprofit Organizations: Shaping Public
Policy at the State and Local Level 
Premiere
Global Services (formerly Citizens Conferencing) provides a full
portfolio of services from audio to web conferencing. Premiere,
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In addition to all of the web and audio based services of Citizens, Premiere
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to the largest customers, are available to all National Assembly members
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Youth
Service America and over 100 national partners present National Youth
Service Day 2005, a public awareness and education campaign that highlights
the amazing contributions that young people make to their communities
365 days a year. Young people will design and lead service-learning
projects in areas ranging from literacy and the environment to healthcare,
hunger, and help for the elderly. For more information, visit the
website at