Human Services
Community Building
Digest

A report from the Urban Institute finds that 73 percent of children under age 5 with working mothers are regularly in child care. Children in low-income families are more likely than higher-income children to be placed in relative care (30 percent compared with 24 percent). Data also reveal that 46 percent of higher-income 3- and 4-year-olds are in center-based care compared with 36 percent of low-income children.

http://www.urban.org/Template.cfm?Section=Home&NavMenuID=3&Template=/TaggedContent/ViewPublication.cfm&PublicationID=8701

After School Programming for School Age Youth  

One consequence of welfare reform is the increased labor force participation of single mothers, often leaving children without parental supervision during after school hours.  A 2002 synthesis of research by MDRC’s The Next Generation Project hypothesizes that the lack of parental supervision during out-of-school time may lead to negative academic and behavioral outcomes for adolescents.  MDRC’s research demonstrated that adolescents (age 12-18) experience lower academic achievement when welfare policy moved their single parent to the workforce.

http://www.financeprojectinfo.org/Publications/afterschoolprogramRN.htm

More Sex Partners Means more Trouble for Teenage Girls

According to results from a national survey of American high school youth, teenage girls who have sex with more than one partner in a short period of time are likely to engage in other risk behaviors such as fighting, binge drinking, smoking cigarettes, using cocaine or sniffing glue,.

http://www.hbns.org/news/trouble02-04-04.cfm

Rural Youth Engage in Risky Behavior

According to University of California researchers rural youth are nearly four times as likely to smoke cigarettes frequently and more likely to drink alcoholic beverages and ride in a car with a driver who has been drinking than their urban counterparts.  These unhealthy behaviors are revealed in "California's Rural Youth," a new report on the health and well-being of adolescents ages 12 to 17 in rural California by the 4-H Center for Youth Development at UC Davis. 

PDF: http://fourhcyd.ucdavis.edu/extending/pubs/report/pdf/ca_rural.pdf

Young Men with Conduct Disorders are More Likely to Carry Guns

According to an article in The Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, the likelihood of carrying a concealed gun appears to be linked with conduct disorder (CD) in young men.  Conduct disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis defined as "a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others and major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated," according to the article.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-02/jaaj-ymw012804.php

YouthActionNet Awards

The International Youth Foundation is accepting applications for its YouthActionNet Award, which provides $500 to individuals ages 18-24 who lead projects that promote social change and connect youths with local communities. Projects should have the potential for growth or duplication. The application deadline is April 18.

http://www.youthactionnet.org/minigrants.php

**Civic Engagement

Religious Community Launches Program to Register Voters for the 2004 Elections

The Interfaith Alliance and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation's election year program, One Nation, Many Faiths Vote 2004 helps candidates, voters, faith leaders, houses of worship and the media navigate the sometimes treacherous waters at the intersection of religion and politics. The program also activates our 150,000 members drawn from 70 faith traditions and 47 local Alliances to lead public debates on religious liberty and to cast informed votes on Election Day.

http://www.interfaithalliance.org/News/News.cfm?ID=5257&c=37

Report Examines Regional Differences in American Philanthropy

Independent Sector Giving and Volunteering surveys reveal that across the country three common characteristics influence philanthropic behavior: volunteering with or without family members, attending religious services weekly, and homeownership. Of note, Independent Sector's latest survey, A Nation of Givers: Regional Patterns in American Giving and Volunteering, finds that each of these characteristics slightly vary in their importance in different regions.

http://www.independentsector.org/programs/research/nation.html

**Community Development

Housing Affordability Improves in Fourth Quarter

According to the National Association of Realtors the composite Housing Affordability Index was 139.2 during the fourth quarter of 2003.  The index shows the nation's typical household had 139.2 percent of the income needed to purchase a home at the fourth quarter median existing-home price, which was $171,600.  The association's First-Time Homebuyer Affordability Index shows a typical first-time buyer household, aged 25 to 44, with an income of $30,436, had 79.9 percent of the income needed to purchase a typical starter home with a 10 percent down payment. The median starter home price was $145,900

http://www.realtor.org/PublicAffairsWeb.nsf/Pages/HAI4Qtr04?OpenDocument

Outside the Walls

A report from the Urban Institute provides descriptions of a broad array of prisoner reentry activity across the country, as well as briefing papers that discuss what is known about reentry as it pertains to employment, health, housing, family, faith, and public safety. The report distills findings from a national scan of reentry programs that are addressing the needs and risks facing returning prisoners, their families, and communities.

http://www.urban.org/Template.cfm?Section=Home&NavMenuID=3&Template=/TaggedContent/ViewPublication.cfm&PublicationID=8700

**Disabilities

Few Disabled Kids with Psychosocial Problems Receive Mental Healthcare

A study by a Northwestern University researcher has found that less than half of disabled children with psychosocial problems receive mental healthcare services. Moreover, the study found differences by age, race/ethnicity and insurance coverage that suggest inequalities nationwide in access to treatment, under identification of need and substantial variability in the mental health treatment for children with disabilities.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-02/nu-fdk020304.php

**Economic Security

Low-Income Working Families Are Dispersed throughout the Nation

An analysis from Brookings of IRS Earned Income Tax Credit data across all 50 states finds that low-income working families live in large cities and rural areas in nearly equal numbers, creating common policy interests for supporters of urban neighborhoods and small rural towns alike.

http://www.brookings.org/es/urban/publications/eitc/20040203_berube.htm

HHS Releases $191.5 Million to Help Low-Income Families With Home Heating Costs

The Department of Health and Human Services announced the release of an additional $191.5 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) funds for states, territories and tribes. The release brings the total amount made available so far this winter to almost $1.65 billion.  LIHEAP is a block grant program that helps eligible families pay the costs of heating their homes in the winter and cooling their homes in the summer. About 4.6 million low-income households receive assistance each year.

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/20040205.html

**Education

From the Capital to the Classroom: Year 2 of the No Child Left Behind Act

A report from the Center on Education Policy describes the implementation and effects of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) during calendar year 2003, the second year of the Act's existence. The report is the first and most comprehensive national examination of all main aspects of NCLB implementation at the federal, state, and local levels, and is the second CEP report to examine the implementation of NCLB. The information in this report is based on a survey of 47 states and the District of Columbia, a nationally representative survey of 274 school districts, in-depth case studies of 33 urban, suburban, and rural school districts, and other research methods.

Full report: PDF: http://www.ctredpol.org/pubs/nclby2/cep_nclb_y2.pdf

NCLB Case Studies:

Alabama to California:

http://www.ctredpol.org/pubs/nclby2/al-ca.epfinal.1-23.htm

Colorado to Louisiana:

http://www.ctredpol.org/pubs/nclby2/co-la.epfinal.1-23.htm

Massachusetts to New Mexico:

http://www.ctredpol.org/pubs/nclby2/ma-nm.epfinal.1-23.htm

New York to Wisconsin:

http://www.ctredpol.org/pubs/nclby2/ny-wi.epfinal.1-23.htm

**The Fiscal Year 2005 Budget

Health and Human Services Fiscal Year 2005 Budget

In a press conference introducing the Health and Human Services budget for FY 2005, the HHS Secretary how HHS is building a new public health infrastructure to give doctors and hospitals the tools they need to respond to any public health emergency. Energizing the fight against HIV/AIDS at home and abroad and completed the doubling of the research budget at NIH, expanding the hope and promise of modern science. We broadened access to quality health care, especially for minorities, the uninsured and underinsured.

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/20040202.html

HUD announces $31.3 billion budget for FY 2005 - continues emphasis on affordable housing, stronger communities and homeownership

President Bush's proposed budget for fiscal year 2005 includes $31.3 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The spending plan continues to emphasize HUD's commitment to promote affordable housing, strengthen communities and increase homeownership across America.  The HUD Acting Secretary said the budget blueprint will continue to provide historically high levels of support to thousands of local programs that house and serve the nation's homeless.

http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr04-010.cfm

Analysis Of The President's New Budget

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities the budget will make the nation's fiscal problems worse, as deficit-reducing proposals are heavily outweighed by deficit-increasing proposals; further, the deficit-reducing proposals are disproportionately tilted against lower- and middle-income families, while affluent and powerful constituents are essentially given a free ride.

http://www.cbpp.org/2-2-04bud.htm

President's Budget Contains Larger Cuts In Domestic Discretionary Programs than Has Been Reported

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities the budget books the Administration released this week omit information on the President's proposed funding levels for programs in years after 2005, but the OMB documents that — underlie the budget show the Administration is proposing cuts in domestic discretionary programs that reach $50 billion a year by 2009.

http://www.cbpp.org/2-5-04bud.htm

Ideology Trumps Science in FY '05 Budget: More Taxpayer Dollars Allocated for Unproven Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs

The President of Advocates for Youth, criticized the increases to unproven abstinence-only-until-marriage program dollars, included in President Bush’s proposed FY 2005 budget.  As President Bush promised in his State of the Union address, funding was doubled to $273 million for abstinence-only programs that prohibit youth from being taught that condoms can help to prevent pregnancy and STDs.  The Institute of Medicine has cited abstinence-only-until-marriage programs as examples of “poor fiscal and public health policy.”

http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/news/press/020204.htm

Children's Defense Fund Says Bush Administration Budget Plan Denies Low-Income Families Affordable Housing

The Children's Defense Fund today said the Bush Administration's proposed budget cuts in Housing and Urban Development's Section 8 housing program could mean as many as 150,000 families with children will be denied vouchers.  The Administration's budget also effectively block grants the Section 8 program, which could lead to some of the poorest families losing assistance and other families having to spend a greater portion of their income for rent.

http://www.childrensdefense.org/release040203.php

Children's Defense Fund Says Bush Administration Budget Perpetuates "School to Prison Pipeline"

The Children's Defense Fund today said the Bush Administration's budget proposals for education and juvenile justice leave out critical resources that could help communities keep at-risk youth out of trouble and put them on a path to success.  "From Head Start and Title I to after-school programs and dropout prevention, the Bush Administration's budget ignores at-risk youth by failing to provide the resources that could help them make a successful transition to adulthood.“

http://www.childrensdefense.org/release040204.php

FRAC Response to President Bush's FY 2005 Budget Proposal

The Food Research and Action Center is disappointed that the President's FY 2005 Budget Proposal fails to provide new investments to increase access to the federal Child Nutrition Programs.  This omission is particularly glaring given the US Department of Agriculture's stated goals in the Budget of reducing hunger, combating obesity, and improving nutritional status. A spate of recent studies have shown that the best way to accomplish those goals is to reach more children and families with the benefits of the federal nutrition programs.

http://www.frac.org/html/news/2005budget.htm

**Health

HHS Unveils New Medicare Education Campaign

The Department of Health and Human Services unveiled a nationwide education campaign to inform seniors with Medicare about the new benefits being offered to them. The first major segment of the education campaign is a television ad.  The ad outlines when some of the prescription drug benefits will be available, and it reassures seniors that they can choose to keep their same Medicare coverage if they prefer. The ad encourages seniors to learn more by calling 1-800-Medicare, the toll-free helpline for Medicare beneficiaries and their families.

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/20040203a.html

**Substance Abuse

African American Teens Less Likely To Become Smokers

A report from RAND finds that even though most African American teenagers try smoking, they are less likely than whites and Hispanics to become regular smokers during adolescence and young adulthood.

http://www.rand.org/news/press.04/02.03.html

School Sports don't Keep Kids away from Tobacco

a study drawn from a national survey of American adolescents finds that high school athletes smoke only slightly less than their inactive classmates, but use snuff or chewing tobacco more often.

http://www.hbns.org/news/sports02-04-04.cfm

HHS Announces National Smoking Cessation Quitline Network

The Department of Health and Human Services announced plans for a national network of smoking cessation quitlines to provide all smokers in the United States access to the support and latest information to help them quit.  To provide the highest level of assistance to smokers across the country that want to quit, this year HHS will establish a new toll-free telephone number that will serve as a single access point to the national network of quitlines. By providing one-easy-to-remember number, smokers in every state will have access to the tools they need to quit smoking.

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/20040203.html

**Technology

CompassPoint, Telosa Partner to Help Smaller Nonprofits

CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, a nonprofit training, consulting and research organization, and Telosa Software, a leading provider of fundraising and information management software solutions for nonprofit organizations, has announced a collaborative effort designed to help nonprofit organizations-- no matter how small -- gain important fundraising and financial management skills through the education and adoption of technology...

http://www.pnnonline.org/article.php?sid=4961

Companies Join with Congressional Leaders to Launch Campaign to Bring Internet Connectivity to Low-Income Communities

One Economy announced the launch of a two-year national policy initiative, Bring IT Home, a collaboration between technology companies, community-based nonprofit organizations and housing developers to connect 12 million Americans living in government- subsidized affordable housing with the technological tools needed to compete in today's digital age. The Bring IT Home national campaign seeks to change public policy at the state level by leveraging housing policy to encourage developers to integrate technology solutions into their housing plans -- specifically high-speed Internet access.

http://www.one-economy.com/BIH-basics.asp

**Reauthorization Activities

The Long and Winding Road: Head Start Reauthorization So Far

A PowerPoint presentation from the Center for Law and Social Policy, given on January 15, 2004, to the Johnson and Johnson Head Start Management Fellows Conference at the UCLA Anderson School of Business, summarizes the Head Start reauthorization process in 2003, compares the House bill (H.R. 2210) with the Senate HELP Committee bill (S. 1940), and offers thoughts about what will happen next.

PDF: http://www.clasp.org/DMS/Documents/1075493169.82/HS_reauth_Jan04.pdf

PowerPoint: http://www.clasp.org/Pubs/DMS/Documents/1075492064.56/HS_reauth_Jan04.ppt