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Newsbytes

January 21, 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.  

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ASSEMBLY FEATURES

Publication Spotlight: The Manager's Guide to Program Evaluation.  This step-by-step guide defines evaluation, describes the types of information you need to collect, spells out the four steps of evaluation, and helps you select and work with a research consultant.  Written especially for organization managers and decision makers, this book is also recommended for policy makers, funders, researchers and students who plan to enter the human services or social policy fields. For more information, CLICK HERE.

Post Job Announcements for Free

The National Assembly and the National Youth Development Information Center (NYDIC) websites both offer job and internship listings.  To add a job announcement to the National Assembly website, CLICK HERE.   To add one to the NYDIC website, CLICK HERE.

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:

Mutual of America Life Insurance Company has been a supporter of the National Assembly for decades, specializing in providing pension and retirement-related products, programs and services for the nonprofit sector since 1945.  They also offer such products as variable universal life insurance, and group life and disability insurance.  For more information, visit www.mutualofamerica.com.

NEWS & RESOURCES

Report on Youth Employment Rates

This paper from the Congressional Budget Office examines trends in the youth labor market from 1979 to 2000 and the changes during the labor market downturn between 2000 and 2003.   It also considers factors that may account for the trends, such as an increase in school enrollment rates, and presents information on the percentage of youth who are neither enrolled in school nor employed.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

Report on Attitudes about Aging and Older People
A new AARP/University of Southern California report, Images of Aging in America 2004, summarizes the findings of a survey that sought to better understand Americans' knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes about aging and older people. The survey finds Americans' knowledge of aging generally good and attitudes towards older persons is positive, but negative misconceptions persist.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

The State of the World's Children 2005
Despite the near universal embrace of standards for protecting childhood, a new UNICEF report shows that more than half the world's children are suffering extreme deprivations from poverty, war and HIV/AIDS, conditions that are effectively denying children a childhood and holding back the development of nations.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

New Website on Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched a new website that offers comprehensive information on nutrition and dietary guidance from multiple government agencies.  The site includes specialized information for infants and children, adults, and seniors.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

Employment Tax Information for Charities
New resources are available on the IRS website for charities and other tax-exempt entities with paid employees.  The Employment Taxes for Exempt Organizations web page includes information about how to determine if a worker is a volunteer, contractor or employee, and what the respective withholding and filing requirements are for organizations.   In addition, employers can download tax forms and publications, and other resources.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

Capitol Hill Event to Highlight AmeriCorps' Effectiveness

On February 8th in Washington, DC, hundreds will gather for Voices for AmeriCorps, a 10-hour event featuring supporters of national service delivering powerful testimonies on the impact that AmeriCorps has had on their lives and communities.  To register your organization as a member of the Organizing Committee, sign up to attend the event, or even nominate a speaker to represent your organization, CLICK HERE.

Report Outlines Comprehensive Vision for Prisoner Re-Entry

The Re-Entry Policy Council released a report that offers hundreds of bipartisan recommendations to help make prisoners' transition from a correctional facility to the community safe and successful.  It addresses re-entry issues related to public safety, health,
substance abuse, housing, employment, children and families, and victims.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

Brief on Federal Policy for Immigrant Children

This policy brief from the Future of Children journal discusses different approaches to policy change that could promote the development of immigrant children.   Authors Ron Haskins (Brookings Institution), Mark Greenberg (Center for Law & Social Policy), and Shawn Fremstad (Center for Budget and Policy Priorities) conclude that researchers and public officials must search for common ground to improve the future prospects for the children of immigrant families.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

Women Senators Urge President to Increase Federal Afterschool Funding

All 14 women in the U.S. Senate sent a letter to President Bush urging him to increase funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) afterschool initiative in his Fiscal Year 2006 budget proposal.  The 21st CCLC initiative is the principal federal funding mechanism for afterschool programs.  It has been flat-funded for four years, despite increases authorized by the No Child Left Behind Act.  For more information, CLICK HERE.  (Source: Afterschool Alliance)

GRANTS, AWARDS & NOTICES

Awards Recognize Girls for Entrepreneurship
The Guardian Life Insurance Company's 2005 Girls Going Places Scholarship Program is a
national competition that recognizes and rewards entrepreneurial girls between the ages of twelve and eighteen.  Adults can nominate girls who demonstrate budding entrepreneurship and/or financial acumen; have taken the first steps toward financial independence; make a
difference in their school or community; and show potential for future success by initiating a new business.  The deadline is February 25, 2005.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

Public Policy Fellowships in New Zealand 
The Commonwealth Fund's Ian Axford Fellowships in Public Policy are designed to provide mid-career American professionals with opportunities to study, travel, and gain practical experience in public policy in New Zealand, including firsthand knowledge of economic, social, and political reforms and management of the government sector.  Fellowships are offered in many areas of public policy, including education and training; youth and families; and health care.  The deadline is March 1, 2005.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

Awards for Workplace Volunteer Programs
The Points of Light Foundation's Awards for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs recognize businesses, of all sizes and of all industries, that have made workplace volunteering a central part of their business operations by putting structure, policies and procedures, and evaluation in place to allow employees to give back their time and talent to its communities. The deadline is March 18, 2005.   For more information, CLICK HERE.

Funding for Organizations That Serve and Empower Disadvantaged Populations

The Public Welfare Foundation supports organizations that address human needs in disadvantaged communities, with strong emphasis on organizations that include service, advocacy and empowerment in their approach.  2005 funding priorities include community development, criminal justice, health, and youth.  Nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply throughout the year.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

Awards for Innovative Technology Solutions to Critical Issues

The Tech Museum Awards honor innovators and visionaries from around the world who are applying technology to profoundly improve the human condition in the categories of education, equality, environment, health, and economic development.  Individuals, for-profit companies, and not-for-profit organizations are eligible.  The nomination deadline is April 4, 2005.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

February 1, 2005 - National Collaboration for Youth Washington Group meeting, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm at National Assembly, 1319 F Street, NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC.  For more information, contact david@nassembly.org.

February 11, 2005 - National Assembly Senior Policy Council meeting, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm at National Assembly, 1319 F Street, NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC.  For more information, contact david@nassembly.org.

February 16, 2005 - National Collaboration for Youth Annual Meeting of CEOs, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at Hall of the States, 444 North Capitol Street, NW, Washington, DC.

CONFERENCES, TRAININGS, AND EVENTS

During No Name-Calling Week, January 24-28, 2005, hundreds of middle schools from across the country will take part in educational activities aimed at ending name-calling and verbal bullying of all kinds.  Led by GLSEN and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, with over 40 national partner organizations, the week seeks to draw national attention to the problem of name-calling in schools and to provide students and educators with the tools and inspiration to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate name-calling in their communities.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

The National Academy of Social Insurance's annual conference, entitled Medicare Modernization in a Polarized Climate: Facing the Challenges, will be held January 27-28, 2005, in Washington, D.C.  It will focus on key issues in the implementation of the Medicare Modernization Act, such as the prescription drug benefit, the challenges of serving low-income beneficiaries, and the impact of health savings accounts.  For more information, CLICK HERE. 

The Direct Marketing Association Nonprofit Federation's 2005 Washington Nonprofit Conference, entitled Bright Ideas for Nonprofit Fundraising, will be held February 3-4, 2005, in Washington, DC.  Topics include how to use alternative channels to improve fundraising efforts, and how to develop actionable strategies to meet and overcome the challenges facing nonprofits today.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

The National Network for Youth's Symposium 2005: 30 Years of Reflections & Revelations in Youth Services is February 6-9, 2005, in Washington, DC.  Join hundreds of youth-serving professionals, advocates, and young people to reflect on the accomplishments of the past and focus on the future of the youth-services profession.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

The 2005 American Camp Association National Conference is February 22-25, 2005 in Orlando, FL.  The conference theme is “Putting the Muscle in the Mission: Strengthening Skills for Life Through the Camp Experience”.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

The Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute is offering a Train-the-Trainer Seminar in Phoenix, AZ on February 23-25, 2005.  This national training seminar certifies youth and adult participants to teach leadership and community service skills to high school-age students.  For more information, contact pyli@PointsofLight.org or CLICK HERE.

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 February 24.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

Read Across America, March 2, 2005, sponsored by the National Education Association and supported by national partners including Boys & Girls Clubs of America, YMCA of the USA, and Youth Service America , will feature reading events across the country to focus attention on the importance of motivating children to read and helping them master basic skills.  For more information, CLICK HERE. 

The nation's two largest professional associations in aging -- The National Council on the Aging and the American Society on Aging -- will present a joint conference on The Changing Face of Aging, March 10-13, 2005, in Philadelphia, PA.  It will feature over 800 sessions, showcase innovative programs, foster policy discussion and advocacy, and share cutting-edge research findings.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

The 2005 National Forum of the Coalition for Community Schools will be held March 9-11, 2005 in Chicago, IL.  Visit successful Chicago community schools to see how they work, participate in interactive skill-building workshops, and hear from well-known senior education, community, and political leaders discussing the benefits of community schools.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

The National Youth Leadership Council's National Service-Learning Conference, March 16-19, 2005, in Long Beach, CA, connects participants with service-learning leaders through three days of plenary sessions, featured forums, and service projects.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges presents the 32nd National Conference on Juvenile Justice, March 20-23, 2005, in Orlando, FL.  Conference participants represent important decision makers, including judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, probation officers, correction and social workers.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

Youth Crime Watch of America presents the 16th National Youth Crime Prevention Conference and International Forum, March 30-April 2, 2005, in Miami, FL.  Youth and their adult allies can find inspiration, valuable skills, prevention knowledge, and national resources in the fight against crime, violence, and drugs.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

The 14th annual National Healthy Kids Day, April 2, 2005, 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.

Youth Service America and over 100 national partners present National Youth Service Day 2005, April 15-17, 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, CLICK HERE.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a diverse group of national organizations present the third Cover The Uninsured Week, April 30 to May 8, 2005.  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, CLICK HERE.

Pathways to Adulthood 2005, May 18-20, 2005, in Atlanta, GA, 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.   Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  For more information, CLICK HERE.

The National Mental Health Association's 2005 Annual Conference, Justice for All, June 9-11 in Washington, D.C., will bring together mental health leaders from across the country to share expertise and collaborate on strategies to enact community change, increase access to mental health services and end the discrimination of people with mental illness.  For more information, 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.

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