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Children
with High Blood Lead Levels often do not Receive Follow-Up Tests
According
to an article in JAMA, only about half of children who had an
abnormal blood lead level screening had follow-up blood testing.
Follow-up testing was less likely for Hispanic or nonwhite children
than for white children; for children living in urban settings
compared to rural areas; and for children living in high- compared
with low-risk lead areas. Among children who did not receive
follow-up testing, 58.6 percent had at least one medical visit
during the 180 days following the abnormal level screening.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-05/jaaj-cwh050405.php
Parental
Conflict can affect School Performance
Research
at Cardiff University, UK has found that children's
experiences at home can have a direct impact on their performance
at school.. Recent findings suggest that the quality of relations
between parents not only affects children's long-term emotional
and behavioral development but also affects their long-term
academic achievement.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-05/cu-pcc050905.php
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Girl
Juvenile Offenders Exhibit More Problems, Risks than Boys
Research
published in the journal Criminal Justice and Behavior finds
that girls in the juvenile justice system exhibit more risks
than do boys for problem behaviors that may lead them to serious
trouble, according to new research. Girls had more problems
than boys in areas such as family and peer relations, physical
health, mental health, traumatic events, and accountability
issues. The only area in which boys showed more risk than girls
was in prior criminal offenses.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-05/osu-gjo050905.php
House-Passed
"Gangs Bill" Would Increase Youth Violence
The
Children's Defense Fund (CDF) expressed deep dismay as the U.S.
House of Representatives passed H.R. 1279, a regressive and
draconian "gangs bill." The bill has met a chorus
of opposition from experts, lawmakers and advocates who argue
the bill will only make problems worse, not better. The bill
increases the likelihood that youth are prosecuted as adults,
expands the reach of the death penalty and creates new mandatory
minimum sentences.
http://www.childrensdefense.org/pressreleases/050511.aspx
**Civil
Society
Storytelling
Project Aims to Help New York City High School Students Deal with Racial Issues
An
innovative program to help high school students understand and
deal effectively with racial issues through stories and storytelling,
has received a second grant of $100,000 in support from the
Third Millennium Foundation. The Storytelling Project, developed
by a Barnard College Professor in collaboration with artists,
public school teachers, other academics and Barnard students,
will be implemented in six classrooms at three schools this
coming fall.
http://www.ascribe.org/cgi-bin/behold.pl?ascribeid=20050505.100524&time=10%2057%20PDT&year=2005&public=1
Catholic
Charities USA Helps Launch National Immigration Reform Campaign
Saying
the nation’s immigration system is “broken and badly needs repair,”
U.S. Catholic bishops and leaders of a diverse group of Catholic
organizations, including Catholic Charities USA announced this
week the official launch of Justice for Immigrants: A Journey
of Hope - The Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform. Comprehensive
immigration reform—including a broad legalization program—is
the goal of the national campaign. The campaign also marks
a new effort to educate and galvanize Catholics on the need
for “justice for immigrants.”
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/news/content_displays.cfm?fuseaction=display_document&id=603&location=3
**Community
Development
Administration
Housing Proposal Lays Groundwork For Planned Funding Reductions
According
to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
an Administration proposal, recently introduced in Congress
as the "State and Local Housing Flexibility Act,"
would make fundamental changes to two of the nation's primary
low-income housing assistance programs - the housing choice
voucher program and public housing. The proposal would lay the
groundwork for future cuts in funding for housing assistance
and leave the more than 3 million low-income households assisted
by these programs vulnerable to sharp rent increases and other
harmful changes.
http://www.cbpp.org/5-9-05hous.htm
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Preserving
"Choice" in the Housing Choice Voucher Program
Researchers
at The Urban Institute reviewed the policy implications
of "The State and Local Housing Flexibility Act of 2005,"
which was recently introduced in the Senate and House. The
analysis finds significant limitations on housing choice for
families with housing vouchers and the possibility that many
may end in high-poverty neighborhoods. http://www.urban.org/Template.cfm?Section=Home&NavMenuID=3&Template=/TaggedContent/ViewPublication.cfm&PublicationID=9257
**Economic
Security
New
White House Document Shows Many Low-Income Beneficiaries Would
Face Social Security Benefit Cuts Under President's Plan
According
to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
the President’s Social Security proposals have been widely reported
as protecting benefits for the bottom 30 percent of the population,
people earning less than $20,000 today. A document that the
White House gave reporters in a press briefing on May 4, however,
contains charts showing the bottom 20 percent of beneficiaries
losing benefits, on average, under its plan.
http://www.cbpp.org/5-10-05socsec2.htm
Obese
Workers' Pay Lower Due to Health Costs
Studies
have consistently shown that obese employees are paid less than
normal-weight employees doing similar jobs, leading many people
to attribute the gap to prejudice against workers based on their
appearance. Research from Stanford University health economists
now shows that obese workers are paid less only when they have
employer-sponsored health insurance.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-05/sumc-owp050905.php
**Education
Several
years in Small Classes in Elementary School Yields big Rewards
at Graduation Time
A
new study from The State University of New York involving a
large sample of students followed for 13 years shows that four
or more years in small classes in elementary school significantly
increases the likelihood of graduating from high school, especially
for students from low-income homes.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-05/apa-syi050205.php
Strategy
to Increase Postsecondary Success for Underrepresented Students
A
policy primer for states from Jobs for the Future provides an
overview of dual enrollment and a rationale for its expansion
and guidelines (including funding models) for states wishing
to implement dual enrollment for a wider range of students.
Brief case studies highlight substantial dual enrollment programs
that serve a wide range of students and offer lessons for an
expanded mission for dual enrollment.
http://www.jff.org/jff/kc/library/0250
New
Special Education Guidelines - Policy to Help States Implement
No Child Left Behind
The
Department of Education announced the details of a new No Child
Left Behind policy designed to help states better assist students
with disabilities, and pledged to continue working with states
to ensure they have the flexibility needed to raise student
achievement. The guidelines follow up on the department's announcement
last month to chief state school officers that would provide
states with additional alternatives and flexibility to implement
No Child Left Behind.
http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2005/05/05102005.html
University
of Florida Researcher: Black Students with Exotic Names Face
School Barriers
A
new University of Florida study finds that black students with
exotic names who do not make the grade in school and are often
overlooked by gifted programs. Da'Quan or Damarcus, for example,
are more likely to score lower on reading and mathematics tests
and are less likely to meet teacher expectations and be referred
to gifted programs than their siblings with more common names
such as Dwayne. This study suggests that the names parents
give their children play an important role in explaining why
African-American families on average do worse because African-American
families are more inclined than whites or Hispanics to give
their children names that are associated with low socio-economic
status.
http://www.ascribe.org/cgi-bin/behold.pl?ascribeid=20050511.092739&time=10%2039%20PDT&year=2005&public=1
Remaking
Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century: What Role
for High School Programs?
A
report from Jobs for the Future and the Aspen Institute Education
and Society Program summarizes what we know (and don't know)
about the value of high school career-focused education--and
it proposes a reform agenda for high school career and technical
education. REMAKING CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION is one of
a series of DOUBLE THE NUMBERS publications from JFF. The DOUBLE
THE NUMBERS Initiative is designed to deepen support for state
and federal policies that can dramatically increase the number
of low-income young people who enter and complete postsecondary
education.
http://www.jff.org/jff/kc/library/0252
School
Overcrowding in California: State Underestimates Crisis; Funding
Overhaul Needed
A
new report released by PolicyLink and the Mexican American Legal
Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) finds that overcrowding
in California schools is far greater than estimated. According
to the report, "Ending School Overcrowding in California: Building Quality Schools
for All Children," more than 1.5 million students attend
critically overcrowded schools while the state's definition
of critically overcrowded schools underestimates the number
of students affected. Ninety percent of students attending
Critically Overcrowded Schools are students of color, nearly
two-thirds of whom are Latino. Passage of several bills currently
pending in the legislature would help alleviate the school overcrowding
problem.
http://www.ascribe.org/cgi-bin/behold.pl?ascribeid=20050511.121332&time=12%2040%20PDT&year=2005&public=1
Federal
Intervention: The Answer to School Finance Litigation
Lawsuits
challenging state methods of funding public schools have been
brought in 45 of the 50 states. Courts across the nation have
ruled that poor and at-risk children are being deprived of a
quality education. Despite their noble efforts state courts
have proven insufficient in securing the necessary resources
to provide all the nations children with a superior education.
Continued litigation of these numerous cases proves the need
for federal intervention. To ensure each child is provided an
equal educational opportunity Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA)
has re- introduced 'The Student Bill of Rights,' H.R. 2178,
legislation that will revolutionize America's educational system.
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=47207
**Health
Indian
Health Care in the 21st Century: A Case Study in Disparities
The
Kaiser Family Foundation, in conjunction with the Morris K.
Udall Foundation and the American Public Health Association
hosted an event which focused on key Indian health issues, including
the availability of mental health services, the adequacy of
federal funding, and priorities for Indian health.
http://www.kff.org/minorityhealth/access050905pkg.cfm
HHS
Announces $95 Million to Improve the Health of Minorities
The
Department of Health and Human Services announced $95 million
in grants to develop a new program that will reduce the number
of cancer deaths in minority and poor populations. This new
initiative, called the Community Networks Program, aims to reduce
cancer disparities through community participation in education,
research and training. Up to 25 grantees will develop programs
to increase the use of cancer interventions in underserved communities.
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2005pres/20050506b.html
Characteristics
of the Uninsured: A View from the States
Characteristics
of the Uninsured: A View from the States has been published
by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This report is a snapshot
of the uninsured in the U.S. The report documents rates of people
without health insurance across states with respect to: households
with at least one child, workforce participation, ethnic composition,
healthcare access, health status by race, percent of state population,
and the total number of uninsured. The report details the percentage
of adults (insured and uninsured) without a personal doctor
or health care provider.
PDF:
http://www.rwjf.org/files/research/Full_SHADAC.pdf
New
Chartbook on Medicare Quality
A
new Commonwealth Fund chartbook notes Medicare—like the rest
of the U.S. health care system—can do
more to address gaps in quality and access. Even though 41
million Americans rely upon Medicare for their health care coverage,
a clear picture of the quality of that care has not been readily
available. Quality
of Care for Medicare Beneficiaries: A Chartbook reveals
Medicare's strengths and opportunities for improvement though
60 charts and incisive accompanying analysis.
http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=275195
Bush Administration Creates "Sham Commission" to
Study Future of Medicaid Program
The
Bush Administration is expected to announce the creation of
a new commission designed to make recommendations about the
future of the Medicaid program. The following is, in part, the
statement of the Executive Director of Families USA, about the
Bush Administration's Medicaid Commission: "The need for
a bipartisan and thoughtful process to consider the long-term
role of Medicaid is very obvious. The Medicaid Commission created
by the Bush Administration, however, is more likely to be a
sham that will only rubber-stamp predetermined conclusions designed
to cut back vital health services for America's elderly, children, and
other vulnerable groups…”
http://www.familiesusa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Media_statement_Sham_Commission_05_12_2005
**Hunger
and Nutrition
Food
Stamp Participation in February 2005 Nearly 1.8 Million Above
February 2004 Level
According
to the Food Research and Action Center, food stamp participation
dipped in February 2005 to 25,272,657, an over-the-month decline
of 189,230, but an over-the-year increase of nearly 1.8 million
people. Although the February caseload drop follows on a drop
in January, Food Stamp Program growth over the year reflects
continuing joblessness, state actions to improve access, and
the effects of the food stamp reauthorization implementation.
http://www.frac.org/html/news/fsp/02.05_FSP.html
FRAC's
Agriculture Appropriations Priorities for FY2006
Federal
food and nutrition programs provide a critical safety net for
millions of working families and children. Evidence shows that
they reduce hunger, lower the rates of low birth-weight births,
save lives, help children get ready for school, improve health,
improve student achievement, and reduce obesity. Research and
Action Center has urged the Agricultural subcommittee to support
these crucial programs while making decisions during the FY2006
appropriations process.
http://www.frac.org/Press_Release/05.12.05.html
**Substance
Abuse
Admissions
for Drug Treatment Up for Older Adults
A
new study released by SAMHSA finds that admissions for substance
abuse treatment increased by 32 percent among older adults over
the eight-year period from 1995-2002. http://www.jointogether.org/saredirect/?Object_ID=576877&Type=sa
