Human Services
Community Building
Digest

From: Food Research and Action Center

ACT NOW! It is important for you to respond to USDA's request for comments on their plans to evaluate and revise the WIC food packages. USDA is seeking comments on redesigning the food packages offered through the WIC Program to determine if revisions would better improve the nutritional intake, health and development of participants. By offering recommendations you can help to improve the WIC food package and to defend WIC benefits against unnecessary cuts. must be postmarked on or before December 15, 2003.

http://www.frac.org/html/federal_food_programs/cnreauthor/wicalert120503.htm

**Children, Youth & Families

Changing Children’s Trajectories of Development

A report from the National Center for Children in Poverty describes one of the largest and longest running school-based violence prevention programs in the country—the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP)—and discusses the results of a rigorous evaluation.  The evaluation provides concrete evidence that early, school-based prevention initiatives such as the RCCP can work and should be included in communities’ efforts to prevent violence among children and youth.

http://www.nccp.org/pub_tcr03.html

More Than 2,900 Children and Teens Died From Guns in 2001

The Children's Defense Fund released an analysis comparing firearm deaths among children and teens in 2000 and 2001. While there was a small decrease in the number of overall deaths, the number of homicide deaths among young children rose dramatically, reinforcing the need for Congress to extend the assault weapons ban and reject S. 659, a bill that grants immunity from liability to gun manufacturers, when they return for legislative business in 2004.

http://www.commondreams.org/news2003/1210-02.htm

Anti-Crime Group Assigns Low Marks in Report Card on Congress

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, the bipartisan, anti-crime organization of more than 2,000 police chiefs, sheriffs and prosecutors, today gave the United States Congress mostly low marks for its record this year on the kids programs proven to prevent crime.  After Congress adjourned for the year, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids examined the work Congress had done on child care programs, after-school programs, Head Start, the prevention of child abuse and neglect and interventions with troubled kids and Fight Crime: Invest in Kids assigned grades in each area:

http://www.fightcrime.org/releases.php?id=70

Genetics and Family Environment Influence Likelihood of Developing Alcoholic Disorders

According to an article in the December issue of The Archives of General Psychiatry, family environmental influences can be important factors in the development of alcohol abuse disorders in offspring with increased genetic risk for alcoholism.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-12/jaaj-gaf120803.php

Foundation for Adult Body Weight may be laid During Adolescence

According to an article in the December issue of The Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, adolescent body mass index and changes in physical activity between adolescence and adulthood are good predictors of BMI in adulthood.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-12/jaaj-ffa120803.php

**Community Development

Back to Prosperity: A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania

A report from Brookings contends that the economic future of a major rust belt state depends on revitalizing its demographic mix and curbing some of the nation's most radical patterns of sprawl and abandonment.

http://www.brookings.org/es/urban/publications/pa.htm

Safe, Friendly Neighborhoods may Encourage Exercise

According to a new report in Health Education & Behavior, the better residents feel about their neighborhood, the more likely they may be to get enough exercise.  However, further analysis suggests that the association between good neighborhoods and physical activity may hold true only for white people and those living at certain income levels.

http://www.hbns.org/news/friendly12-08-03.cfm

A Portrait of Prisoner Reentry in New Jersey

The Urban Institute finds that the number of people released from New Jersey prisons in 2002 was nearly four times the number released two decades ago.  This report describes the process of prisoner reentry in New Jersey by examining the policy context surrounding reentry, the characteristics of New Jersey's returning inmates, the geographic distribution of returning prisoners, and the social and economic climates of the communities that are home to the highest concentrations of returning prisoners.

http://www.urban.org/Template.cfm?Section=Home&NavMenuID=3&Template=/TaggedContent/ViewPublication.cfm&PublicationID=8668

**Disabilities

Coming Together for Children with Disabilities: State Collaboration to Support Quality, Inclusive Child Care

A report from the Center for Law and Social Policy finds that families with children with disabilities have difficulty finding high-quality, appropriate child care for their children—and this is particularly true for low-income families. This report discusses the challenges these low-income families face; presents the findings of a survey of administrators of state child care and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act programs; explains the importance of collaboration among these programs; and suggests policy recommendations for federal and state governments.

Policy brief – PDF: http://www.clasp.org/Pubs/DMS/Documents/1070980294.45/ccdf_idea_brf.pdf

Full report – PDF: http://www.clasp.org/DMS/Documents/1070980704.1/ccdf_idea_rpt.pdf

National Organization on Disability Posts Links to All Presidential Candidates' Websites, Disability Statements

The National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) has posted links from its http://www.nod.org website to the official campaign websites of the nine Democratic candidates running for their party's 2004 nomination, and to President Bush's campaign website. Listed under each site are links to disability-specific statements or platforms that the campaigns have posted.

http://www.nod.org/election2004.html

SBA and Department of Labor Partnership Will Support Entrepreneurship among People with Disabilities

The Small Business Administration and the Department of Labor signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum designed to help people with disabilities pursue small business ownership and increase their employment opportunities in small businesses.  "The New Freedom Small Business Initiative" agreement is designed to assist adult workers in acquiring the skills and resources they need to successfully begin and operate a small business and to educate small business owners about hiring people with disabilities.

http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/ODEP2003858.htm

**Economic Security

Many Continue to Struggle To Make Ends Meet, Despite Improving Economy

According to a survey of 71 local agencies conducted by Catholic Charities USA, despite some signs of an improving economy, this holiday season remains a time of need for many Americans and for the Catholic Charities agencies across the country.  According to the survey, more than half of the agencies believe it will be more difficult to meet the needs of the people they serve because of growing requests and cuts in funding-especially cuts in government revenue. More than 60 percent of Catholic Charities agencies surveyed reported a decrease in government funding this year.

http://www.catholiccharitiesinfo.org/content_displays/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_document&id=384&location=8

**Education

Briefing: 'No Child Left Behind? The Politics and Practice of Accountability'

Brookings held a briefing with the editors of a new book on the No Child Left Behind Act.  The editors cull research on school accountability to assess the likely impact of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and conclude that states' requirements for schools are likely to be softened over time by political opposition. Still, the end result may be enough to boost student achievement—in the 1990s, performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress improved more in states that had accountability systems.  Nonetheless, the editors believe that with no provision for student accountability, a gaping hole remains in the federal law. Recent research shows that greater gains are possible if students are held accountable.

http://www.brookings.edu/comm/events/20031211.htm

HHS, Education Launch Research to Promote School Readiness Effort

The Department of Health and Human Services announced a new five-year research initiative with the Department of Education to find the best ways to prepare preschool children for later success in school.  In the initiative's first year, eight institutions across the country will receive $7.4 million in research grants to test preschool curricula, Internet-based teacher training, and the importance of parental involvement for improving children's readiness to enter school.

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20031208a.html

**Health

Confused About Social Security? Puzzled By Medicare? National Academy of Social Insurance Provides Sourcebook for Reporters

The National Academy of Social Insurance has produced a special reporter’s sourcebook explaining Social Security and Medicare.  This tool was developed by veteran reporter Bob Rosenblatt (formerly of the LA Times) for busy reporters, giving a clear explanation of Social Security retirement and disability programs, Medicare, workers compensation and disability, unemployment insurance, and long-term care. Facts and figures are provided for each of the programs, as well as contact information for NASI members who can answer reporters' questions on these topics.

http://www.nasi.org/publications2763/publications_show.htm?doc_id=200521

New Research on Minority and Immigrant Health

A Commonwealth Fund-supported study finds that when patients and physicians are the same race, office visits last longer and patients are more satisfied. Other Fund-supported studies look at the effects of federal restrictions on funding for health insurance on new immigrants, and how patient-physician interactions contribute to disparities in the quality of care between minority and white patients. Posted 12/10/03

Patient-Centered Communication: http://www.cmwf.org/../../programs/insurance/cooper_raceconcordant_itl_692.asp

Health Insurance & Immigrants: http://www.cmwf.org/../../programs/insurance/carrasquillo_immigrantprovisions_itl_690.asp

*****Medicare Prescription Drug Legislation

Statement: Anger among Seniors Contrasts with Euphoria at White House As President Signs Medicare Bill

The Executive Director of Families USA issued a statement upon the signing ofs the Medicare prescription drug legislation: "As the Medicare legislation is signed into law, the euphoria at the White House contrasts very vividly with the disappointment, even anger, among America's seniors. The more seniors learn about the new law, the more they dislike it.

http://www.familiesusa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Media_Statement_Anger_Among_Seniors

American Public Health Association Says Congress Has Much More Work to Do On Medicare

The American Public Health Association (APHA) urged Congress to correct several major shortcomings.  "This new law provides an inadequate prescription drug benefit for our nation's seniors and does not solve the problem," said the executive director of APHA.   "The serious failings of this measure jeopardize the long-term viability of the Medicare program and its ability to protect the health of older Americans. Congress has much more work to do to fix it."

http://www.apha.org/news/press/2003/medicareLaw.htm

The Troubling Medicare Legislation

An analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities examines the new Medicare prescription drug law and finds that it raises both fiscal policy and health policy concerns.

http://www.cbpp.org/11-18-03health2.htm

Getting Serious About Excessive Medicare Spending

The Urban Institute finds that while Medicare spending varies widely across the country, increased local spending apparently does not produce differences in quality, access, or even patient satisfaction. Yet policy analysts tend to minimize the importance that as much as 30% of Medicare spending in particular high-spending areas might be excessive and unnecessary. Under most visions of the future of Medicare, there is an imperative to transform the traditional Medicare program from a claims payer to a strategic purchaser, able to adopt a broad array of approaches and use a comprehensive set of tools, some of which are used by private plans.

http://www.urban.org/Template.cfm?Section=Home&NavMenuID=3&Template=/TaggedContent/ViewPublication.cfm&PublicationID=8669

The AARP Ads and the New Medicare Prescription Drug Law

An analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities examines the statements about the new Medicare drug law that are featured in full-page ads AARP purchased in several major newspapers last week.

http://www.cbpp.org/12-11-03health.htm

**Philanthropy

New Grants.Gov Web Site Offers One-Stop Shopping for Information on Applying for All Federal Grants

The Department of Health and Human Services unveiled a single, comprehensive Web site that will contain information about finding and applying for all federal grant programs. The Web site, Grants.gov, makes it easier for organizations to learn about and apply for federal grants. Its launch marks an important milestone in the Administration’s Electronic Government (E- Gov) Initiative.

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20031209.html

Needed: New Thinking About Pittsburgh's Nonprofits

A new Urban Institute study finds that with state and local governments struggling with budget shortfalls, more people in the Pittsburgh area are turning to nonprofit organizations for help.  The report suggests it is time to rethink how to assist people in need. One way to start is by setting the record straight about the nonprofit sector and how it operates.

http://www.urban.org/Template.cfm?Section=Home&NavMenuID=3&Template=/TaggedContent/ViewPublication.cfm&PublicationID=8664

Charitable Giving and the Estate Tax

The Urban Institute reports that under current law, the estate tax will be repealed at the end of 2010 and reinstated at the end of 2011. This pattern seems unlikely to occur, though, and policy makers are already considering alternatives. One of the key issues is the impact on charitable giving. The estate tax encourages charitable giving at death by allowing a deduction for charitable bequests. It also encourages giving during life, because such gifts reduce the size of the estate (and thus the tax bill) at death. But the tax can also reduce charitable gifts because it diminishes the amount of money left in the estate to allocate among competing uses including charity.

http://www.urban.org/Template.cfm?Section=Home&NavMenuID=3&Template=/TaggedContent/ViewPublication.cfm&PublicationID=8665