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September 14, 2007
Human Service 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.
The countdown has begun. Less than one week until the National Human Service Leaders Summit.
Where National Human Service Leaders Gather
September 19, 2007
1:00-8:00 P.M.
National Housing Center
Washington, DC
You don't want to miss this opportunity to learn about two bold poverty-reduction strategies!
Both Catholic Charities USA and the United Way of America have launched efforts to meet the challenge of significantly reducing poverty in America. Catholic Charities USA's "Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America" cites poverty as a threat to the common good and proposes policies that provide good jobs and wages, social program supports, and life-long learning. United Way of America's financial stability partnership outlines a pathway to strengthening families, engaging business, government, and the nonprofit sector to get people on the road to economic success. Our keynote speakers,
Rev. Larry Snyder, President of Catholic Charities USA, and Alex Sanchez, Senior Vice President for Community Impact at United Way of America will discuss "Strengthening Families and Reducing Poverty: Can We Achieve Both?"
For more information about the summit, including workshops, Essence of Leadership Awards, and how to register, click here. To download the final program (PDF), click here.
According to the Urban Institute's new report, Investing in Children, the Federal investment in children is likely to decline markedly within the next decade. The share of the federal budget for programs that enhance kids' future productivity or income is forecast to drop from 1.6 percent of the gross domestic product in 2006 to 1.3 percent by 2017 under current policies.The report is also summarized in Losing Ground: Federal Investments in Children Will Shrink Over the Next Decade if Present Policies Continue.
New Poll Shows Support for Overhauling NCLB
The public increasingly supports overhauling the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), according to a recent national Gallup/Phi Delta Kappa poll by the Forum on Educational Accountability. More than half of public school parents polled said the law limits what students learn with "too much emphasis" on standardized tests. More than 80 percent of respondents support providing "more instructional time and other help for low-performing students" and better professional development for teachers.
College Campus Security Task Forces Report
Following the Virginia Tech Tragedy, Federal Cabinet Secretaries, Governors' Task Forces, and the National Association of Attorneys General have issued reports responding to the Virginia Tech shootings and the new look at needs for university campus security. The reports could mean a new era in campus security thinking. The reports highlight the need for 1) better understanding of sharing information on threats to student and campus safety; 2) increased sharing of information; 3) support for many of the persistent crime, violence, and drug problems sharpening emergency management procedures, and 4) increased information from and connection to national resources. More information can be found on the Virginia Tech Review Panel's web page, and the National Association of Attorneys General web page.
Tax Policy Exacerbates Income Gap for Working Families
As Congress considers a broad tax reform package, recent Census poverty numbers show that, despite poverty being down, most of America’s workers are not earning more. On September 6, Jason Furman, the director of the Brooking's Institution's Hamilton Project, testified to the House Ways and Means Committee, and argued that the 2001-06 tax cuts "have exacerbated after-tax income disparities, thus resulting in more inequality."
Nonprofits Question 990 Revamp
On September 13, The BBB Wise Giving Alliance, which helps donors to make informed giving decisions and advances high standards of conduct among organizations that solicit contributions from the public, submitted comments to the Internal Revenue Services regarding its proposal to redesign its 990 form. The comments raise a number of concerns including proposed reporting structures for ratios comparing contributions and grants, and expenses and assets. The comments also raise concerns about how the new form attempts to disclose a ratio that compares compensation vs. program service expenses. “We believe that this required information, with its unwarranted emphasis on compensation, provides no useful information to donors and, more important, promotes misleading comparisons among charities.” For more information, click here.
Improving Job Quality
The American Dream promises
that if you are willing to work
hard, you will be able to
achieve a better life for yourself
and your family. But too many
people are stuck in
jobs that pay poverty-level
wages and offer no benefits. The Center for Law and Social Policy's paper, Opportunity at Work: Improving Job Quality, describes the state of job quality in the U.S. today and makes the case that improving job quality is a critical part of the agenda for reducing poverty, supporting families, rewarding effort, and expanding opportunity for all.
Reflecting on Welfare Reform
Last month marked the eleventh anniversary of the federal welfare reform law, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. MDRC's new "Issue Focus" examines what we have learned about the effectiveness of welfare-to-work programs, and what challenges remain for those who have left welfare, as well as for those who are still on the rolls?
Reducing Teen Pregnancy
Although teen pregnancy rates in the United States are declining somewhat, the United States stills leads the industrialized nations of the world with an astounding four out of every ten teenage girls becoming pregnant by age 20.
A new Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy study of the Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program—A comprehensive, year-round youth development program for economically disadvantaged teens— finds sizable reductions in teen pregnancy and births, and increases in high school graduation and college enrollment. Click here to access the study. Click here to learn more about the Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program.
National Working with Youth Survey
A team from the University of Nevada, Reno is conducting an international web-based survey to examine the relationship between individuals’ job satisfaction and plans to continue working with youth, and more. The information collected from this survey will enhance the effectiveness of non-school time programs for youth worldwide. Please pass the survey’s web site address on to youth program administrators or adults who work directly with youth (ages 10 – 18) in non-school-time programs. And if you are an adult who works directly with youth (ages 10 – 18) in non-school time programs, please take the survey. Survey participants will also get a chance to win one of ten $50 gift certificates that can be used for program materials at a vendor of your choice. For more information, contact Bill Evans, Ph.D. at evans@unr.nevada.edu.
Increasing Supports for Low-income Families and Children
According to a report from the America's Promise Alliance, The Promise Rich vs. The Promise Poor, "Although parents in low-income
families are typically providing a safe,
nurturing, and caring home for their
children, these families need supports
outside their homes to ensure that
their children have the stimulating and
educational experiences that lead to
better academic and social outcomes." Based on its research study, Every Child, Every Promise: Turning Failure Into Action , the brief asserts that while more than half of children from high-income families reported they had safe places to learn and grow, only 23 percent of children from low-income families had similar opportunities.
Mentoring Improves Academic Outcomes
Mentoring is a promising intervention that merits support and makes a real difference in the lives of our nation's at-risk children, but more work needs to be done to effect lasting outcomes, concludes a report, Making a Difference in Schools: The Big Brothers Big sisters School-based Mentoring Impact Study. Released by Big Brothers Big Sisters and conducted by the independent research firm Public/Private Ventures, the study is the country's first large-scaled, national, random assignment evaluation of school-based mentoring. P/PV also concluded that positive mentee outcomes in academics, discipline, and school attendance were recorded for the first year of participation but not sustained in many cases in the third semester when mentoring of a percentage of the children stopped.
Coming Soon: "Hope Matters The Untold Story of How Faith Works in America"
 The issues of abortion, homosexuality, and gay marriage trigger huge fights about the sacredness of life, the nature of marriage, and what is acceptable in the sight of God. We don’t often hear about the ordinary people whose faith inspires them to do the extraordinary: cops, teachers, social workers, district attorneys, directors of non-profit organizations, state officials, youth workers, and so many others. They are Christians and Jews, Muslims and Baha’is, Hindus and American Indians. In his soon-to-be-available book (scheduled to be available in bookstores in November), Hope Matters: The Untold Story of How Faith Works in America, John Calhoun examines how people balance their public work with their private faith, how their faith makes a difference in how they do their work and the outcomes of that work; and how they overcome doubt, fear, and burnout.
Interested in Involving Youth and Their Families?
Download the free training activities for preparing frontline youth workers in three key National Collaboration for Youth competency areas 1) Involving and Empowering Youth; 2) Cares for, Involves and Works with Families and Community, and 3) Communicates and Develops Positive Relationships with Youth. These three new training modules are available for use by youth workers responsible to the professional development and training of front-line youth workers (both paid and volunteer). Use individual activities or each module for a full day training.
Congress Passes College Affordability and Access Bill
On September 7, the U.S. Congress passed The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (H.R. 2669), which Members of the Congress have characterized as the largest single increase of student aid since the GI Bill. The legislation makes student loans more affordable, increases Pell Grant maximums, expands eligibility for students with financial need, provides up-front tuition assistance to qualified undergraduate students who commit to teaching in public high schools in high-poverty areas, and provides greater funding for historically black and other predominantly minority institutions. One provision of the legislation would allow student borrowers to erase their loan balances after 10 years of payments if they have worked during that time in a "public service" job, which is defined to cover generally tax-exempt charities and government workers. The President has pledged to sign the legislation. To access the bill, click here, then search for H.R. 2669.
Discussion Drafts of No Child Left Behind Received Field Comments
The House Education and Labor Committee released and received comments ending September 14 on discussion drafts of the No Child Left Behind reauthorization legislation. Provisions of the draft do address such matters as Supplemental Education Services, expanded learning time, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, otherwise strengthened relationship between communities and schools, as well as such issues as bullying and harassment. Further developments will be highlighted on the web pages of the U.S. House of Representatives' Education and Labor Committee and U.S. Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Voices for National Service Hill Day Scheduled for Wednesday, September 19
Advocates for national service will be on Capitol Hill Wednesday, September 19 to educate Members of Congress about Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps, and Senior Corps. The visits will advocate increased appropriations and reauthorization of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Field advocates are being encouraged to contact legislators that day. The House Education and Labor Committee reported its version of the legislation reauthorizing the CNCS (HR 2857, the GIVE Act) in June. Field advocates are hoping that remaining concerns are addressed before floor deliberations. For further information, click here.
September 17–23: The National Learn and Serve Challenge: Be a Solution ...
There is Still Time to Accept the Challenge! The Learn and Serve Challenge is an effort to raise awareness of and gain public support for service-learning and Learn & Serve America. To the Learn and Serve Challenge web site this week to sign on as a participating partner, access tools and resources for creating your own press release, opinion editorial, or letter to the editor. Register what you are planning to do next week as part of the challenge, and/or what your organization will pledge to do over the coming months.
Need Office Space?
- Office space is available IMMEDIATELY in downtown Washington, DC (Metro Center). Very reasonable rates for a great location. Relatively short-term only. This is for now or soon, not months from now. Contact irv@nassembly.org with your space needs and timing.
- A reputable non-profit in Crystal City, Arlington, VA wants to sublet 6,000 square feet office space in a Class-A building; partial sublease, flexible terms available; next to Reagan National airport. Contact irv@nassembly.org if interested.
Job Announcement: Director of FInding Inspiration in Literature and Movies (F.I.LM.)
Heartland Truly Moving Pictures and the National Assembly seek a motivated individual to cultivate and manage existing partnerships, as well as grow and engage additional National Collaboration for Youth member organizations for their ongoing involvement in the F.I.LM. project. The successful candidate will have excellent verbal and written communications skills, literacy in Microsoft Office Suite applications and online database applications, and a youth-development background. Compensation will be decided based on experience. To apply, send your resume and cover letter to humanresources@nassembly.org.
A World Fit for Kids! Joins the National Assembly
A World Fit for Kids! is the National Assembly's newest member organization. Led by
Normandie Nigh, Executive Director, and
Kevin Sorbo, Chair and Spokesperson, the organization helps students greatly improve their own physical, mental, and emotional fitness through sports, fitness and peer leadership training; develops youth leaders who will become mentors and positive older role models for elementary through high school youth; and provides valuable life skills for students' successful integration into school, the workplace, and the larger community.
 THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGE: Leadership Strategies for Not-For-Profit Executives and Boards
by Philip Coltoff
This book provides advice and guidance for not-for-profit executives and boards from an experienced and successful former executive. (2006, 125 pages) $14.95. To order, click here.
 The Speed of Trust
by Stephen M. R. Covey
This book articulates why trust has become the key leadership competency of the new global economy and tells how to inspire lasting trust in professional and personal relationships. The book shows business, government, and education leaders how to quickly and permanently gain the trust of their clients, coworkers, partners and constituents. (2006, 354 pages) $26.00.To order, click here.
Grants for Community, Education and Health Projects
Deadline: Open
The RGK Foundation is offering grants for amounts under $25,000 each for community, education, and health projects including human services, community improvement, abuse prevention, youth development, and educational enrichment programs.
Grants for Community Voicemail Hosts
Deadline: Open
Community Voice Mail (CVM) provides free, 24-hour nationwide voice mail to people in crisis and transition - connecting them to jobs, housing, safe communication and much more. CVM is currently available at 39 sites across the country. Thanks to a generous grant from the Cisco Systems Foundation, $20,000 seed grants are available to local agencies willing to “host” CVM for the whole community (for cities with population of 300,000 and greater).
Safe and Vital Communities
Deadline: Open
The Allstate Foundation is offering grants to nonprofits for projects related to catastrophe response, youth anti-violence, neighborhood revitalization and teen safe driving as well as for tolerance, inclusion and diversity.
National and Global Youth Service Day (April 25-27, 2008) Lead Agency Program
Deadline: September 17, 2007
Lead Agencies are organizations across the United States that increase the scope, visibility, and sustainability of Global Youth Service Day by leading city, regional, or statewide service projects. Lead Agencies receive a $2,000 planning grant sponsored by the State Farm Companies Foundation and direct assistance and support from Youth Service America to ensure a successful Global Youth Service Day.
AARP's U@50 Contest
Deadline - September 30, 2007
AARP has launched its first-ever contest on YouTube. The U@50 contest offers people, 18 and over, the chance to submit an original 1- to 2-minute video on where they expect to be by the time they turn 50. There is a total of $10,000 in prize money, with $5,000 going to first place, $3,000 to second place, $1,000 to third place, and $500 to both fourth and fifth places.
YouthPower Grants
Deadline: October 1, 2007.
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and Youth Service America (YSA) are offering YouthPower grants of up to $1,000 to support youth-led service projects. These grants support youth in foster care (ages 5-18) and youth who have recently transitioned out of foster care (ages 19-25) in planning and implementing service projects in their community. Youth-serving organizations that have prior experience in working with youth in the foster care system are eligible to apply, provided that they that engage foster youth in planning and implementing a service project.
Summer of Service for Middle School-Aged Youth 2008 Grant Competition
Deadline: October 10, 2007
The Corporation for National and Community Service will make almost one million dollars available in grants ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 to national, state or multi-state organizations to engage even more middle-school aged youth from disadvantaged circumstances in summer service opportunities. Summer of service activities are defined as high quality, supervised, volunteer activities in multiple locations during the summer (out-of-school) months. The participants should be middle school youth (typically 10 to 14-years-old) from disadvantaged circumstances in both urban and rural areas. The successful applicant must be experienced in working with and planning activities for middle-school age youth. For more information or to apply for the grants, please visit click here.
Fostering Healthy Connections through Peer Mentoring
Deadline: October 12, 2007
The Child Welfare League is inviting all its member agencies to submit proposals to support four new peer mentoring programs and enhance four existing programs. A committee of field experts and former foster youth will review the proposals.
State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grants
Deadline: October 16, 2007
With the generous support of the State Farm Companies Foundation, Youth Service America is offering the annual State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grant for youth across the United States and Canada (select provinces). These grants of up to $1,000 support youth (ages 5-25), teachers, or school-based service-learning coordinators in implementing service-learning projects for Global Youth Service Day 2008.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
Deadline: October 31, 2007
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people in grades 5 through 12 who have demonstrated exemplary voluntary service to their communities. Maximum Award: $5,000.
Seed Grants for Intergenerational Photography Contest
Deadline: November 1, 2007
For the seventh annual Generations United (GU) Intergenerational Photography Contest, GU is partnering with the MetLife Foundation to offer seed grants of up to $2000 to five organizations. The Request for Proposals and the Application are online. Click here, or call ( 202) 289-3979 for more information.
America's Promise The 100 Best Communities for Young People Competition
Deadline: November 2, 2007
The 100 Best Communities Competition is an annual competition that recognizes outstanding community-wide efforts that improve the well-being of youth. Winning communities gain national recognition and media exposure; eligibility to participate in the request for proposal process for $300,000 in grant funds; and more.
Scholarship Program to Develop Nonprofit Social Sector Leaders
Deadline: November 15, 2007
The American Management Association (AMA) and Leader to Leader Institute established the AMA Scholarship Program to assist social sector nonprofit organizations in developing the strong leaders today who will lead the organizations of the future. Up to 75 nonprofit employees will be able to take advantage of the fellowship, which includes a free seminar, a membership with the Leader to Leader Institute, and member benefits of the AMA.
National Schools of Character Awards Program
Deadline: December 3, 2007
Does your school or district have a comprehensive character education initiative? You can serve as a model for others and receive $20,000 to help share your practices with other educators. Apply to be recognized as a National School or District of Character. Go to www.character.org/nsoc for details.
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Note: The National Youth Development Information Center (NYDIC) includes funding information for youth development and after school that is updated weekly. For grants, click here. For awards and scholarships, click here.
Trainings & Events
8th National Conference on Preventing Crime: Helping Build Safer Communities
National Crime Prevention Council
October 3-5, 2007
Atlanta, GA
Nonprofit Sector Workforce Coalition National Meeting
American Humanics
October 21, 2007, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Los Angeles, CA
YouthBuild Academy for Transformation
YouthBuild USA
October 23-25
San Antonio, TX
Annual Program Meeting: Preparing the Next Generation of Educators
Council on Social Work Education
October 27-30
San Francisco, CA
Mobilize.Org’s Party for the Presidency
December 29-31, 2007
Hollywood, CA
On the cusp of the 2008 Election year, youth from around the country will be congregating in Hollywood to engage in a discussion of the state of American democracy. Joined by elected officials and candidates, consultants, staffers, interest groups, and media and entertainment personalities from around the country, these youth will create an agenda and prioritize action steps toward the 2008 Election.
National At-Risk Youth Conference
College of Education at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA and the Continuing Education Center at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Savannah, GA
March 2-5, 2008
Conferences
National Human Service Leaders Summit and Essence of Leadership Awards
September 19, 2007, 1:00 - 8:00 PM
The National Housing Center
Washington, DC.
(Note: A block of hotel rooms will not be reserved. Please reserve a room now at the DC hotel of your choice. )
- Human Service Leaders Summit, 1:00 - 6:00 PM - If the Assembly had an annual "family reunion," this would be it. Networking, timely programming, and recognition of top leaders. All representatives of member organizations are welcome.
- Essence of Leadership Awards, September 19, 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Please join us as we recognize the best in our field.
City Partnerships with United Ways and Chambers of Commerce
September 20, 2007
Free Audioconference
City partnerships with local United Ways and Chambers of Commerce that benefit children, youth, and families will be the topic of a free, 1-hour audioconference on Thurs., September 20, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. “Natural Allies: Partnerships with Local United Ways and Chambers of Commerce” will feature a discussion about how these alliances can promote early childhood success, enhance families’ financial stability, and expand afterschool opportunities. To register , send complete contact information (name, title, dept./org., address, city, state, phone, fax, and email) to iyef@nlc.org or by fax to (202) 626-3043 by close of business Tues., September. 18, 2007.
National Conference of the National Center on Nonprofit Enterprise
"Your Money or Your Mission?"
September 26- 29, 2007
Sheraton National Hotel
Arlington, VA
National Summit on Your City's Families
National League of Cities
September 30-October 2, 2007
San Antonio, TX
Double the Numbers 2007:
Diplomas, Degrees, and Credentials for
Underrepresented Youth
Hosted by Jobs for the Future
October 4-5, 2007
Washington, DC
Doubling the number of low-income students who earn postsecondary credentials will will require a dramatic increase in both high school and postsecondary completion rates. Over two days, several hundred invited participants will examine promising practices and policies-developed by schools, school districts, states, the federal government, postsecondary systems, and nonprofit organizations that are designed to double the numbers.
Alliance for Children and Families National Conference
October 17-19, 2007
Anaheim, CA
Independent Sector Annual Conference
October 21-23, 2007
Los Angeles, CA
National Forum on Character Education
November 1-3, 2007
Washington, DC
Plan to attend the Character Education Partnership’s National Forum on Character Education to hear from nationally recognized speakers and this year’s National Schools of Character. Click here for details.
Harvard Family Research Project
"Closing the Achievement Gap: Linking Families, Schools, and Communities Through Complementary Learning"
November 1-3, 2007
Boston, MA
Explore how schools, families, out-of-school time programs, and other organizations and agencies can work together to build systems that promote children's learning and development. For more information or to register, call the office for Programs in Professional Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education at 1-800-545-1849 or click here.
Executive Leadership Institute for CEOs and Board Members
November 8-10, 2007
Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management
Claremont Graduate University
Claremont, CA
(Note: this event is for CEOs and board leaders of national organizations only.)
National Family Week
Alliance for Children and Families
November 18-24, 2007
2007 National Youth Development Symposium
Youth and the Emerging Workforce: “Get Ready, Here They Come!”
Co-sponsored by National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) and National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC)
December 3-6, 2007
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
Chicago, IL
The National Network for Youth's Annual Symposium 2008
January 27-30, 2008
Omni Shoreham Hotel
Washington, DC.
CLICK HERE to post your organization's conference dates on the National Assembly's Web site; click on "Add Your Own Event," and follow the instructions.
Please e-mail newsbyteseditor@nassembly.org with your news, events, and suggestions for Human Service Newsbytes.
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