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August 4, 2006
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.
If you are having trouble reading this newsletter, go to http://www.nassembly.org/nassembly/newsbytes/080406.htm
3rd Annual
Formerly the National Leaders' Summit
Where National Human Service Leaders Gather
Keynote Address by Bob Anderson, President of The Leadership Circle - Accelerating Leadership in Today's Organizations
More Information and Register by Clicking Here.
Featuring the Essence of Leadership Awards and the 2nd Annual Public Policy Forum
REGISTER HERE
“Work-Plus” Helps Low-Wage Working Parents Obtain
Family-Sustaining Jobs
Work-Plus: Boosting the Bottom Line for Low-Wage Working Parents, a new policy brief from the National Assembly’s Family Strengthening Policy Center, presents a “work-plus” strategy of employment-focused services and work supports that help low-wage parents secure and keep good jobs and gain economic independence. The brief includes case studies, resources, and recommendations for policy makers, employers, and community-based family service agencies. To view the entire policy brief (PDF format), click here.
New Search Engine Donates Revenue to Nonprofits
GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue to the charities its users designate. Powered by Yahoo!, it's used like any other search engine and organizations can earn money for every search. For more information, visit www.goodsearch.com.
Outreach Toolkit Helps Find Those Eligible for Extra Help
A new Extra Help/LIS Outreach Toolkit outlines ways to find Medicare beneficiaries who likely are eligible for the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) and have not yet applied for it or joined a Medicare prescription drug plan. This toolkit from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will encourage these beneficiaries--thought to number approximately 3 million--to apply for the LIS and choose a plan. Those who qualify for the LIS may join a drug plan immediately, without penalty, through Dec. 31, 2006. For more information, click here. [Source: Access to Benefits Coalition]
Adding it Up: A Guide to Developing a Children, Youth and Families Budget
This guide is a joint effort from The Forum for Youth Investment and The Finance Project designed to help decision makers and community leaders both learn the importance of a good children, youth and families (CYF) budget and map out the process of creating or improving a CYF budget of their own. In order to help busy leaders organize their time and the process of getting started, the guide is packaged in three parts: a brochure; the rationale for doing the work; and a nuts and bolts guide that combines tips, tools, worksheets and everything a planning team might need to kick off a CYF budget development process or reconfigure an existing one for greater success. For more information, click here.
Congressional Update
Late on Thursday, August 3, the Senate wrapped up work for the summer and recessed until September 5. The House concluded its work last week, and returns on the same date. Despite a flurry of activity, only a few items were completed. Among them, an effort to increase the minimum wage got bogged down in politics, and the non-controversial reauthorization of the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Act hinges on negotiations over a $40 million provision (see below). On a positive note, however, the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act was completed and sent to the president, who is expected to sign the bill into law despite previously calling for the elimination of two provisions in the legislation – Carl D. Perkins Grants and Tech Prep. The other good news is that pension reform has been completed along with a package of charitable reforms that, while not perfect, will serve to help the sector. When both chambers return after Labor Day, their plates will be full, but their minds will likely be on the midterm elections, and most inside-the-Beltway pundits believe that a long lame duck session is in store.
Reauthorization of the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Act
On July 13, the Senate unanimously passed its version of the bill to reauthorize the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Act. The bill, “Improving Outcomes for Children Affected by Meth Act of 2006” (S.3525), was then referred to the House and passed by a voice vote on July 25. However, before voting on S.3525, the House replaced the bill title and text with its version, “Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006” (H.R.5640), which was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee on June 29.
The House vote moves the bill to the conference committee, but there are several significant differences in the House and the Senate versions which will prove challenging to the conferees to resolve. The Senate version seeks to dedicate $40 million toward improving permanency outcomes for children affected by meth, whereas the House plans to use these funds to support monthly caseworker visits to children in foster care. More details on the Senate and the House bills as well as the differences between them are on the National Assembly website. For more information, click here. (Note: The "Current Legislation" page is a new feature on the National Assembly website that also includes information about the Federal Youth Coordination Act and the Education Begins at Home Act.)
Federal Youth Coordination Act
Show your support for the Federal Youth Coordination Act! Click here for more information and to sign on as a supporter.
Balance Bar Community Grants
Community grants of up to $25,000 support nonprofit organizations, such as athletic programs and leagues and youth organizations, that increase organization and community members' abilities to enjoy healthy, active lifestyles. Eligible requests include support for equipment, training, education programs, and events. Deadline is August 31, 2006.
YouthRising Grant Program
Youth Service America and the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention recently announced the YouthRising grant program. This opportunity offers $2,000 for organizations to engage high risk and/or gang-involved youth in volunteer service. A significant portion of the project must take place on National and Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007. Application materials are available at www.YSA.org/awards. Deadline is October 12, 2006.
Public-Private Collaborative Announces Program to Empower Older People to Take More Control of Their Health
Up to $300,000 per project per year for a three-year period will be provided to public/private partnerships working to improve health and quality of life for older Americans at the community level.
Deadline is August 31, 2006.
Help Honor The "Best in Class"
DEADLINE EXTENDED
You know them: the national CEO who has moved mountains to improve services; the board leader who bridges boundaries to get things done; the media person whose coverage of pressing human service issues made a difference. The National Assembly invites you to nominate your candidates for these honors--The Essence of Leadership Awards. The nominating process is simple; you can read about it by clicking here.
NYDLN - National Youth Development Learning Network
www.nydic.org
Professional Development Series: Recognition and Rewards
Though many youth development workers come to their positions because they want to make a difference in the lives of youth, well thought out, intentional systems of recognizing and rewarding them can not only make a difference in their lives, but also in how well they do their job and for how long. The latest edition of the Professional Development Series identifies some of the benefits of recognition and rewards programs, lessons from the field and steps to consider when creating your own program. To download the pdf, click here.
Family Strengthening Policy Center
www.nassembly.org/fspc
Project on Welfare Reform and Economic Self-Sufficiency for Low-Income Rural Families
Two new briefs discuss the research findings and policy implications of the Rural Families Speak project. The project is a multi-state study of the impact of welfare reform on rural, low-income families conducted by researchers from seventeen land-grant universities with funding from USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). It was launched to provide research evidence of the resources needed by these families to achieve and maintain economic well-being and to provide context in which appropriate policy solutions could be applied. For the policy brief, click here. For the research brief, click here. The project also conducted a series of webcasts that are archived here. Note: This article was featured in the July issue of Family Strengthening News. To see the full issue, click here.
F.I.L.M. - Finding Inspiration in Literature & Movies
www.youthFILMproject.org
Service-Learning Supplement Now Available
Now available for download is a service-learning supplement to assist youth in the completion of their service project component of F.I.L.M. Adapted from Youth Service America (YSA) materials, the guide may be used in conjunction with any F.I.L.M. program. It serves as an excellent service project planning and management resource for youth facilitators and youth. Some of the guide’s content include: tips for adults and youth working together; understanding service-learning; engaging youth volunteers with disabilities; generating project ideas relating to F.I.L.M. program themes; determining responsibilities; and engaging the media. To download the free Service-Learning Supplement, click here!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
The Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with measurable impact.
BBBS serves children ages 6-18 in communities across the country and has been a leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people.
For more information, visit www.bbbs.org
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 here 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.
Did You Know?
 One member saves more on its conference calling through Premiere Global Services than the cost of its annual dues for the National Assembly?
UPCOMING PEER NETWORK MEETINGS
National Organizations Volunteerism Network (NOVN)
August 17, 2006 at 1:00 PM - Conference Call. For more information, click here.
Smaller Organizations Council
September 7, 2006, 1:30 - 4:30 PM at the Forum for Youth Investment, Washington, DC. For more information, please contact sara@nassembly.org.
HR Council Meeting
September 15, 2006, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM, National Industries for the Blind, Alexandria, VA. For more information, click here.
NCY Research Group Meeting
September 15, 2006 at National Human Services Assembly in Washington, D.C. For more information, please contact pam@nassembly.org
COO Peer Network Meeting
September 27, 2006, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, YMCA of the USA, Washington, DC. For more information, click here.
CFO Peer Group Meeting
October 18, 2006, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. For more information, please contact irv@nassembly.org.
NCY Program Group Meeting
October 19 - 20, 2006 in Indianapolis, IN. For more information, please contact pam@nassembly.org.
For more information on National Assembly Member Peer Networks, click here.
TRAININGS & EVENTS
America's Promise Regional Forums
America's Promise Alliance is conducting a series of regional forums to share best practices and encourage greater focus and collaboration within communities to see that all young people receive the fundamental resources they need to succeed.
September 14-15, 2006 - Charlotte, North Carolina
September 28-29, 2006 - Indianapolis, Indiana
October 12-13, 2006 - Denver, Colorado
From Truancy to Zero Tolerance: The Changing Border of Education and Juvenile Justice
Presented by the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section
Co-sponsors include National Collaboration for Youth
August 23, 2006, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Capital Hilton, Washington, DC
One Day's Pay
September 11, 2006
For more information visit www.onedayspay.org
Make A Difference Day
October 28, 2006
For more information visit www.makeadifferenceday.com
Mix It Up Day
November 14, 2006
National Family Week
Alliance for Children and Families
National Partners include National Human Services Assembly and many of its members
November 19-25, 2006
CONFERENCES
National Conference on Achieving Excellence Through Accreditation
Presented by the Council on Accreditation
August 6-8, 2006
New York, NY
2006 Symposium Health and Philanthropy: Leveraging Change
August 24-25, 2006
Indianapolis, IN
Law Enforcement Solutions for Reducing Racial Disparities & Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) in Juvenile Justice
September 7-10, 2006
New Orleans, LA
Human Service Leaders Summit
National Human Services Assembly
September 14, 2006
Washington, DC
For more information, click here.
2006 Risk Management and Finance Summit for Nonprofits
September 18-20, 2006
Westin Pasadena
Pasadena, CA
4-H Inaugural Family Strengthening Distinguished Lecture
September 26, 2006
United States Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC
Alliance for Children and Families National Conference
October 18-20, 2006
St. Louis, MO
Independent Sector Annual Conference
October 22-24, 2006
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
Nonprofit Sector Workforce Coalition First National Meeting
Presented by American Humanics
October 24, 2006
Minneapolis, MN
2006 Healthy Communities - Healthy Youth Conference
Sponsored by Search Institute
October 26-28, 2006
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
Executive Leadership Institute
National Human Services Assembly
November 1-3, 2006
Hilton El Conquistador Resort
Tucson, AZ
2006 BoardSource Leadership Forum
Set Your Sights on Exceptional Governance
December 3 & 4, 2006
Chicago, IL
Symposium 2007: The National Network for Youth: A Place to Call Home
Presented by National Network for Youth
February 4-7, 2007
Washington, DC
8th National Conference on Fatherhood and Families
Sponsored by Arizona Fathers & Families Coalition, Inc
March 2, 2007
Phoenix, Arizona
Call for Papers - Click here.
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.
Please e-mail sara@nassembly.org with your news, events, and suggestions for Newsbytes.
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