Human Services News

New reports released at a Morehouse School of Medicine briefing on November 30, 2004, show the disproportionate impact HIV is having on minorities in Georgia and important differences in how minorities view HIV/AIDS compared to whites. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:12 AM

Prescription Drug Spending Under the MMA: Modeling the Impact on Out-of-Pocket Costs

This report projects the impact of the new Medicare drug benefit on out-of-pocket spending for people who enroll in 2006. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:06 AM

The Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic: A Timeline of Key Milestones

An interactive web-based timeline designed to serve as an ongoing reference tool for many of the political, scientific, cultural, and community events that have occurred from 1981 - 2004. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:58 AM

Crime in Schools Fell Sharply Over Decade, Survey Shows

School crime dropped to an annual rate of 24 violent incidents per 100,000 students from 48 violent incidents, a report found. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:15 AM

HIV Vaccine Trial Participants Ask 'Why Not You?'; Call to Action in Preparation for Large HIV Preventive Vaccine Trial

In honor of World AIDS Day, the New York City HIV Vaccine Trials Unit (a Columbia University Medical Center and Project Achieve partnership) honors its vaccine trial volunteers in a photo exhibit, highlighting some of the dedicated and giving volunteers and their ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:12 AM

California's Underserved Populations to Benefit From Community Technology Foundation's Social Justice Grants

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:10 AM

American Latinos Gain Footing in Managing the Nation's Wealth; Fourth New America Alliance Wall Street Summit Marks Progress

American Latinos are gaining a foothold on Wall Street and in managing the nation's wealth. That was the consensus at the 4th Annual Wall Street Summit of the New America Alliance (NAA), held Oct. 27-29, in New York. Regarding recent developments in Hispanic ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:10 AM

Housing Wealth Has Greater Effect Than Stocks, New Study Shows

The 2005 National Forum of the Coalition for Community Schools

Housing wealth has a more immediate impact on consumer spending than stock wealth and has sustained the U.S. economy since the beginning of this decade, shows a new study produced by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University and Macroeconomic ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:09 AM

November 29, 2004

Community Schools: The Time is Now!

Join us for three days of learning and networking with people working to create community schools across the country. 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. The keynote speaker will be Richard Rothstein, the former New York Times education columnist. Featured guests: Arne Duncan, Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools and other prominent leaders to be confirmed soon.

Posted by Michael at 9:26 AM

Budget Outlook 2005: A Challenge for Advocates

National Women's Law Center

In 2005, the federal budget process will demand advocates' attention. The process begins early in the next session of Congress. It could be the first step toward drastic changes and cutbacks to critical programs such as Social Security, child care, Head Start, TANF, Medicaid, and countless others. In a budget resolution, Congress can issue instructions to various committees to cut entitlement programs in order to meet the budget spending target. Bills that are drafted in accordance with the instructions to cut programs to meet the budget target receive special procedural protections. These bills cannot be filibustered and only require 50 votes to pass the Senate.

Posted by Michael at 12:54 AM

Online Hip-Hop Literacy Program Gets $800,000 Grant

The National Urban League's Online Hip-Hop Reader Program, which was launched here this year as a pilot program designed to enhance the reading habits, Internet usage and civic engagement of high school students, will expand its agenda and reach out to more youths thanks to an $800,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation. The foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, also funded the pilot program.

Online Hip-Hop Literacy Program Gets $800,000 Grant :: PNNOnline :: the nonprofit news and information resource

Posted by Michael at 12:27 AM

Community Development Financial Institutions Program

The Treasury Department invites applications for the FY 2005 Financial Assistance Component of the Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI). This program provides assistance to CDFIs that have comprehensive business plans for creating demonstrable community development impact through the deployment of capital within their respective target markets for community development purposes. Approximately $22 million in FY 2005 funding is expected to be available for awards; cost-sharing of 100 percent is required. Applications are due Feb. 24, 2005. More information is available at:

FR Doc 04-24986

Posted by Michael at 12:12 AM

A Study of African American and Latino/Latina Parents in the United States and Resources These Parents Need to Succeed

The Building Strong Families 2004 Study is the second study in an ongoing collaboration between YMCA of the USA and Search Institute around strong families and parenting. Following its 2002 counterpart which examined the resources that families have or need to raise children that thrive, the 2004 study examines the same family strengths, challenges and resources, this time among African American and Latino/ Latina families. Both studies are part of the larger Abundant Assets Alliance, which combines the resources of the YMCA of the USA, YMCA Canada, and Search Institute.

Abundant Assets Alliance

Posted by Michael at 12:04 AM

November 28, 2004

Federal Plan to Keep Data on Students Worries Some

A government proposal to create a database of enrollment records on college students is raising concerns that the move will erode the privacy rights of students. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 7:04 PM

Alabama Vote Opens Old Racial Wounds

School segregation saga has dragged the state into a confrontation with its segregationist past that illuminates the uneasy race relations of its present. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 7:03 PM

Parents failing to recognise obesity in their children

Many parents are failing to recognise obesity and overweight problems in their children, according to a study on bmj.com today. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 6:54 PM

November 26, 2004

California's New Stem-Cell Initiative Is Already Raising Concerns

Medical ethicists are concerned that the $3 billion that California approved for embryonic stem cell research could become a bonanza for private profiteers. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:19 PM

Payoffs on the Prairie

Fueled by the growth of a local retailer and a general wave of prosperity, Nebraska town finds itself with more jobs than people. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:17 PM

November 25, 2004

Statement by the Student Aid Alliance on the FY 2005 Omnibus Bill and the Ongoing Erosion of Federal Student Aid

The following is a statement by the Student Aid Alliance on the FY 2005 Omnibus Bill and the Ongoing Erosion of Federal Student Aid, by David Ward, President, American Council on Education and David L. Warren, President, National Association of Independent ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:03 AM

Severe Shortages of Health Workers Threaten Health Initiatives

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:00 AM

November 24, 2004

Study finds mental health needs of older adults substantially underserved

Individuals aged 65 and older are unlikely to receive needed mental health treatment in the United States, according to a recent national study by researchers at Texas A&M University. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:27 AM

Female condoms overlooked in fight against spread of HIV/AIDS

Condoms are traditionally seen by reproductive health care workers as second-rate methods of barrier control against pregnancy, and so are not as strongly promoted as they should be for protection against HIV/AIDS Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:26 AM

Depression treatment boosts employee productivity

High-quality care for depression can improve productivity at work and lower rates of workplace absenteeism, according to a new report. MacArthur Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, NIH/National Institutes of Mental Health Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:25 AM

New Poll Gauges San Antonio's Local Economy And Jobs Situation; Citizens Say Education is Key

Citizens of San Antonio think their city is a great place to live and work, but they are worried about the city's employment situation and look to government to play a role, especially in improving public education. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:20 AM

New Report Finds Pay Inequity Still Great; YWCA Leads the Fight to Close the Pay Gap

"The Status of Women in the States," a recently issued report by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, found that women in the District of Columbia have made great gains closing the gender-based income gap. According to the report, D.C. women ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:20 AM

The Children Left Behind: AIDS Orphans; Dec. 1 Is World AIDS Day

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:19 AM

November 23, 2004

Covering New Americans: A Review of Federal and State Policies Related to Immigrants' Eligibility and Access to Publicly Funded Health Insurance

Shawn Fremstad and Laura Cox Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:02 AM

Did the Appropriations Bill Provide a Sufficient Increase in Low-Income Energy Assistance to Cover Spiraling Home Heating Costs?

Richard Kogan Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:48 AM

Four Research Grants Awarded to Increase Technology Access, Literacy of Underserved Communities in California

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:07 AM

Study Finds Savings in Medicare Drug Benefit

A new study confirms that the drug benefit being added to Medicare will provide help to elderly people with low incomes or high drug costs. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:05 AM

Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Study Finds Farm Children Have Lower Asthma Rates

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:04 AM

November 22, 2004

A Decade in Development, Juvenile Drug Courts are Growing in Popularity, But Do They Work?

Since 1994, federal and state governments have invested more than a billion dollars in drug courts, specialized programs that supervise substance-abuse treatment for certain nonviolent offenders. The courts give offenders an opportunity to change their behavior and stop using illegal drugs before becoming enmeshed in the legal and penal systems. Starting in the mid-1990s, state and local jurisdictions began to establish juvenile drug courts, and by November 2003 there were 294 such courts in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Yet, without more program evaluation data, whether adult drug courts work or can be duplicated with juveniles is unclear. [View the corresponding Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:52 AM

Social Security and income

From Economic Policy Institute:

The Snapshot for November 18 examines the importance of Social Security benefits and finds that these benefits account for the majority of income for many elderly households. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:48 AM

Tax Bracket and Tax Liabilities for Families With Children

This tax fact shows that almost half of all children (and 80 percent of kids living with single parents) live in households that currently do not pay any federal income tax (net of credits). Thus, unless a new tax credit or an expansion of a tax credit is made refundable, the subsidy cannot help those children, who are presumably the most economically vulnerable. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:46 AM

CLASP Audio Conference Transcript: Interview with Author Jason DeParle (September 10, 2004).

From Center for Law and Social Policy:

Jason DeParle, an award-winning New York Times reporter, discusses his book, American Dream: Three Women, Ten Kids, and a Nation's Drive to End Welfare. University of Pennsylvania sociologist Kathy Edin and CLASP Policy Director Mark Greenberg join DeParle to discuss the findings of the book. This audio conference is moderated by Jodie Levin-Epstein. (Publication No. 04-51). Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:41 AM

Will the Appropriations Bill Provide a Sufficient Increase in Low-income Energy Assistance to Cover Spiraling Home Heating Costs?

Richard Kogan Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:41 AM

Parts of Special-Ed Bill Would Shift More Power to States and School Districts

Congress has given state and school officials more power to shape the terms for providing services to the nation's 6.5 million disabled students. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:33 AM

Where minorities give: Education is a top choice

From Christian Science Monitor | Work/Money:

Donations by minorities, long overlooked, are starting to gain clout. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:33 AM

Health Care and Social Assistance Revenues Reach $1.3 Trillion, Census Bureau Reports

Revenues for the nation's health care and social assistance industries rose 7 percent to $1.3 trillion in 2003 from $1.2 trillion in 2002, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:29 AM

Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries Can Expect Substantial Help From Prescription Drug Law, But Others Will Get Less Assistance; Nearly 7 Million People Projected to Reach 'Doughnut Hole'; 3 Million to Receive Catastrophic Benefits

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:25 AM

Family history predicts young women's risk of stroke

Young women with a family history of stroke in their parents or siblings may be at increased risk for stroke themselves, according to a new report. NIH/National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:23 AM

'American Girl' Dolls on shopgoodwill.com: Holiday Gift Can Bring Hope to Those in Need

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:23 AM

Annual Survey Finds High-Quality State Preschool Programs Are the Exception, Not the Rule; Preschool Enrollment Increased Nationally, Spending Per Child Dropped

The second annual survey of state preschool programs found a huge disparity in availability from state to state and even within state boundaries. The report concludes that "across our nation, high- quality and readily available state-funded preschool programs ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:22 AM

November 20, 2004

NSBA Statement on the Pending Passage of Reauthorization of Individuals With Disabilities In Education Act by Congress

National School Boards Association (NSBA) Executive Director Anne L. Bryant praised the pending passage of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act by both houses of Congress as a "tremendously collaborative process that will result in significant ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:35 PM

Governors Commend Passage of Special Education Law; Nation's Governors Praise Congress for Bipartisan IDEA Reauthorization

The National Governors Association (NGA) praised Congress today for its overwhelming bipartisan passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) reauthorization, one of the top legislative priorities for governors across the country. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:34 PM

Bill Clears Way for Government to Cut Back College Loans

The federal government will be able to require millions of college students to shoulder more of the cost of their education under the new spending bill before Congress. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:32 PM

Once a Model, a Health Plan Is Endangered

From NYT > Health:

Tennessee's health care plan for the state's most vulnerable residents, once hailed as an example for the nation, is on the ropes. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:28 PM

CBPP: Will the Appropriations Bill Provide a Sufficient Increase in Low-Income Energy Assistance to Cover Spiraling Home Heating Costs?

Following is a report released today by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:26 PM

Adolescent Oral Health Project Receives AETNA Grant; Award Highlights Partnership Between Children's Dental Health Project, Children's Hospital National Medical Center

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:25 PM

New Report Shows More Than 36 Million Americans Unable To Purchase Adequate Food; Number of Hungry and Food Insecure Americans Increases for Fourth Year

As many families rush to long grocery store lines this weekend in preparation for Thanksgiving, a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report released today shows 36 million Americans -- including 13.3 million children -- are food insecure. The report, ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:25 PM

Thousands of Foster Children Find Permanent Homes on National Adoption Day; New Study Released in Recognition of National Adoption Day Provides an Unprecedented Analysis of Adoption from Foster Care in All 50 States

Each year on National Adoption Day, a special Saturday in November, hundreds of courts open their doors to finalize thousands of adoptions for children in foster care and to celebrate all families that adopt. This year, National Adoption Day was celebrated ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:25 PM

40 years later, Mich. preschool makes a documented difference (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - An intensive preschool program for low-income children in the early 1960s has made a huge difference in their lives, its benefits felt nearly 40 years later, a study shows. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:24 PM

November 19, 2004

Congress Heeds Local School Leaders' Call for Changes to Special Education Law; AASA Members Support Reauthorization Despite Congress' Failure to Fully Fund IDEA

Public school administrators nationwide today urged Congress to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act because the bill focuses more resources and attention toward improved educational opportunities for children with disabilities while ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:27 AM

November 18, 2004

Jobs for the Future Appoints New CEO; Seltzer to Guide Efforts to Improve Nation's Education and Workforce Pipelines

JFF has announced the appointment of Marlene B. Seltzer as its new CEO effective October 1. Boston- based JFF is a leading innovator in strategies to accelerate education and career advancement for both young people and adults. , Hilary Pennington, who co-founded ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:27 AM

Research explores why some internationally adopted children excel while others struggle

Over the past decade, U.S. citizens have adopted more foreign born children (150,000) than the citizens of any other country. Prominent among the developmental issues faced by these children is language delay, which can be compounded by medical problems, according to a panel of experts who will present their findings today at the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association meeting in Philadelphia. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:21 AM

Social supports lessen effects of maltreatment on children vulnerable to depression

Maltreated children who are genetically pre-disposed to depression can be spared lifelong emotional problems if the necessary social supports are made available to them. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:21 AM

Long-Term Study of Adults Who Received High-Quality Early Childhood Care and Education Shows Economic and Social Gains, Less Crime

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:20 AM

Heroic Choices Launches National Initiative for Women to Help Children

Heroic Choices, a national organization that provides resiliency training to traumatized children, has launched a national initiative, Heroic Women for Children, to support the currently heightened awareness and the desire for involvement by women across the ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:19 AM

Police Must Stop Using TASERs on Children, the Elderly, and Persons With Disabilities; Amnesty Report Documents Use of TASERs by US Law Enforcement that Could Constitute Ill-Treatment and Torture

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) will release a report examining the use of TASER electroshock weapons by police in the United States on Tuesday, Nov. 30, which concludes that the rampant proliferation of TASER electroshock weapons among United States ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:06 AM

Agencies Press Effort to Speed Adoptions

On Saturday, the fifth annual National Adoption Day, child welfare groups and family courts across the country hope to complete more than 3,000 adoptions. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:05 AM

November 17, 2004

National Survey on Consumers' Experiences With Patient Safety and Quality Information

This survey assesses Americans' perceptions about the quality of health care, their awareness and reported usage of information in making their health care choices, and their experiences with their health care providers five years after the Institute of Medicine's landmark report on medical errors. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:35 AM

Foster Care Adoption in the United States: A State-by-State Analysis of Barriers & Promising Approaches

This report provides a national analysis of adoption information collected from the congressionally mandated Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) conducted in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report offers a national compilation, as well state-by-state assessments, of barriers and promising approaches states report at different stages in the adoption process. The stages where most states report barriers include terminating parental rights, recruiting adoptive homes, court case management, child welfare case management, and establishing and changing permanency goals. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:24 AM

Reducing Paperwork and Connecting Low-Income Children With School Meals: Opportunities under The New Child Nutrition Reauthorization Law

Zoe Neuberger Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:19 AM

As Education Secretary Will Spellings Work to End Federal Involvement in 'Public' Schools? SepCon2004 -- 'World's Boldest Education Conference' Nov. 20-22 in Washington, D.C.

Margaret Spellings, Bush's domestic policy adviser, is on the short list to replace Paige as education secretary. And while the phrase "mandate" is being defined daily inside the beltway, the Alliance for the Separation of School & State ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:15 AM

Most Middle School Math Curricula Not Based on Evidence of Effectiveness, Study Finds

Only a small number of the nation's middle school mathematics curricula have scientific evidence of effectiveness, according to a report released today by the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC), a part of the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:15 AM

Catholic Charities Agencies Report Increase in Need for Emergency Services, Catholic Charities USA Survey Shows More Families Seeking Help for Food and Housing

As working poor individuals and families struggle to make ends meet, Catholic Charities agencies from New Hampshire to Hawaii continue to experience an increased demand for emergency services, especially from people needing food and help in paying their rent. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:10 AM

New Proposition 63 Funds Should Be Used to Prevent Youth Crime, Say California Law Enforcement Leaders

California's law enforcement leaders urge that new Proposition 63 mental health funds be used to fight juvenile crime, said FIGHT CRIME: INVEST IN KIDS California and the California Police Chiefs Association at a press conference today. The event highlighted ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:09 AM

November 16, 2004

Medicaid and Breast and Cervical Cancer in California

The report, "Hearing Their Voices: Lessons from the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act (BCCPTA)," reports on the impact of the BCCPTA on low-income women in California, using focus group analysis. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:20 AM

Job Prospects Bright for College Seniors (AP)

AP - The recovering economy and looming retirement of the baby boomers are making this a very good year to be a college senior looking for a job after graduation. Recruiters, career counselors and students say the fall recruiting season has been the most active since the dot.com boom. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:12 AM

Immigration, lack of partner support are postpartum

Recent immigration, lack of partner support and pregnancy-induced hypertension are significant factors in predicting whether women will experience depressive symptoms soon after giving birth, says a University of Toronto researcher. Canadian Institutes for Health Research, Hamber Foundation, Fraser Valley Health Region Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:11 AM

AARP Study Finds Grandparents Face Multitude of Barriers Raising Grandchildren; Lack of Authority on Day-to-Day Decisions Cited

A new statewide study released today by AARP New York and the New York State Kincare Coalition finds that grandparents raising grandchildren as well as other kin caregivers in New York State face a multitude of barriers related to schooling, health, legal affairs, ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:07 AM

November 15, 2004

The Potential Impact of Eliminating TennCare and Reverting to Medicaid: A Preliminary Analysis

Leighton Ku and Victoria Wachino Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:48 AM

Lower-Income Households Spend Largest Share of Income

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in large-scale tax reform, namely a broad-based tax on consumption. Data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey give reason to worry about the likely regressivity of a consumption tax. The data indicate that low-income households spend virtually all of their income while high-income households spend less than 40 percent. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:40 AM

Bush Administration Tax Policy: Down Payment on Tax Reform?

Bush Administration tax policy has sometimes been defended as a piecemeal approach to fundamental reform. Consistent with fundamental reform, the tax cuts reduced marginal capital income tax rates and flattened rates. But the similarities end there. A well designed consumption tax would (a) be revenue-neutral; (b) broaden the base; (c) tax existing capital-that is, not provide transition relief; and (d) treat interest income and expense in a consistent manner. The recent tax cuts have none of these features and in many cases have the opposite effects. The result is the worst of both worlds: lower growth, increased shelters, and increased regressivity. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:40 AM

Study Abroad Surging Among American Students; After September 11, Interest in Study Abroad Continues to Grow Rapidly

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:14 AM

New WHO study asks, 'How happy are you with your lot in life?'

Researchers are asking people throughout Britain to describe how happy they are with their lot in life to help improve the effect of the healthcare they receive. World Health Organisation, European Comission Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:13 AM

Proposed addiction treatment successful, safe in second small trial

A second, small-scale clinical trial of a proposed addiction treatment originally investigated at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory has produced favorable results in the treatment of long-term addiction to methamphetamine and/or cocaine, with no visual side effects in any of the 30 patients enrolled. This research on vigabatrin (a.k.a. gamma vinyl GABA, or GVG) is published in the February 2005 issue of Synapse, now available online. NYU School of Medicine Biochemical Psychiatry Fund; Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners; NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse; US Department of Energy Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:13 AM

Mott Foundation Grant to Fund Genesee Health Plan Expansion

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:12 AM

NCQA Awarded Contracts to Monitor the Quality of Medicare Advantage Health Plans

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced today that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded it two contracts to continue important work NCQA has been performing for the Medicare program. This work allows CMS ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:11 AM

CBPP: Loss of Federal Funds from Eliminating Tenncare Would Offset Tenn. State Savings, Injure State Economy; Health Care Providers Likely to Be Hurt Significantly

The possible elimination of Tennessee's TennCare program, suggested by Gov. Bredesen, would have far-reaching consequences for state residents that would reverberate far beyond the individuals who would be dropped from TennCare, a new report by the Center ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:10 AM

November 13, 2004

Education Secretary Paige Plans to Step Down (Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Times - WASHINGTON — Education Secretary Rod Paige has told the White House that he intends to resign, perhaps as early as next week, senior administration officials said Friday. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:52 PM

New Arizona Immigration Measure Limited, Atty. Gen. Says (Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Times - PHOENIX — The provisions of a newly passed state initiative aimed at keeping illegal immigrants from receiving public benefits are limited, applying only to some welfare-related programs, Arizona Atty. Gen. Terry Goddard said Friday. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:43 PM

November 12, 2004

AMA Physicians Encourage Minority Students to Consider Medical Careers; Physicians' Participate In American Education Week at Baltimore City Middle School Monday, Nov. 15

Helping kick-off American Education Week at Chinquapin Middle School in Baltimore City, two Baltimore physicians will encourage students to consider careers in medicine. African-American, Hispanic-American and American Indians make up nearly a quarter ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:04 AM

Online Education is Entering the Mainstream; New Study Shows Growth Rate Is Accelerating; Confirms Quality Is As Good Or Better; U.S. Academic Leaders Say Online Education Is Critical to Long Term Strategy

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:58 AM

Voters show they want more say in growth issues (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - Voters are sending mixed signals about how they want their communities to grow, embracing strict controls in some places and rejecting them in others. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:57 AM

Youth Activists to Protest 'Kinsey, Let's Talk About Sex' Movie Opening in Los Angeles

Survivors, a youth organization who promotes pro-life and chastity messages to their peers at college and high school campuses, along with Generation Life, a nation-wide pro-life and chastity group, are planning a response to the movie "Kinsey, Let's ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:55 AM

America's Health: State Health Rankings - 2004 Edition

In our roles as leaders of the United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention, we regularly assess the overall healthiness of our nation and the opportunities for optimizing the health of individuals, families and the communities in which they live. As such, we are pleased to present the 2004 edition of America's Health: State Health Rankings. This represents the 15th comprehensive and comparative state-by-state analysis of health status based on rigorous methodology and unimpeachable data sources.

Posted by Michael at 12:32 AM

November 11, 2004

Common Antidepressant May Affect Youth's Bone Development

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 7:01 PM

Wash. diocese to file for bankruptcy (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - The Roman Catholic diocese of Spokane, Wash., facing a wave of lawsuits by alleged victims of child sexual abuse involving clergy, will file for bankruptcy protection Nov. 29, its bishop said Wednesday. It is the third diocese to do so since July. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 7:01 PM

Medicaid and Women: What's at Stake?

Tell Congress to Make Election Reform a Reality

The Foundation held a briefing on November 10, 2004 to address how the Medicaid program works for women and discuss what women have at stake in federal and state efforts to restructure the program. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:43 AM

October/November CLASP Update

From Center for Law and Social Policy:

Article topics include: immigrant children; various child support issues; 2004 HHS bonuses; and the conditions of the working poor. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:41 AM

Unemployment rate masks high share of long-term unemployed

From Economic Policy Institute:

Despite the large number of the unemployed who have gone without work for 39 weeks or more, there has been no extension of federally funded unemployment insurance benefits to help those who are out of work for long periods. For more information, see the Snapshot for November 10. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:34 AM

Tennessee to Cut Health Program

From NYT > Health:

Tennessee plans to dissolve TennCare, a program that expands Medicaid coverage, a decision that would cut as many as 430,000 people from state health care rolls. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:21 AM

In Health Care, Gap Between Rich and Poor Persists, W.H.O. Says

From NYT > Health:

Despite significant gains in medical science, disparities in public health persist between rich and poor countries. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:21 AM

November 10, 2004

Tell Congress to Make Election Reform a Reality

Voters across the country learned on Election Day 2004 that many aspects of the election system still need improvement. Although the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) has spurred states to begin the important task of implementing election reforms, there is still considerable work to be done. HAVA seeks to address many of problems that came to light in the 2000 election (and were still visible in 2004), including improving disability access to polling places, creating new provisional balloting procedures, developing statewide voter registration systems, training poll workers, and educating voters on new procedures and equipment. These reforms are critical, but expensive.

Posted by Michael at 12:52 PM

People on food stamps can't afford heart-healthy meals

Most food stamp beneficiaries can't afford heart-healthy food options, according to a study of low-income, African-American-residents in a Boston neighborhood that was presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2004. In Roxbury, Mass., a family of four would need to spend $227 a month in excess of food stamp benefits to make heart-healthy foods part of their daily diet, researchers said. A senior living alone would need at least $100 extra.

Posted by Michael at 6:15 AM

Impoverished youth have health risks-Part VII

Paris Beacon News

Youth living in poverty are at increased risk for health-related problems, according to the 2004 Report on Illinois Poverty, “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty for Illinois Teens” released Oct. 20.

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Editor’s Note: Oct. 20, The Illinois Poverty Summit issued its 2004 Report on Illinois Poverty, “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty for Illinois Teens.” The Illinois Poverty Summit is facilitated by Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights, a service-based human rights organization, and is intended to stimulate dialogue about antipoverty initiatives in the state. The full report was broken down into seven segments, and concludes with Part VII, below.

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Poor youth are more likely to experience obesity, diabetes and heart disease, as well as mental health problems, such as depression.

Posted by Michael at 6:13 AM

First Community Development Note Offering

CRF USA Issues First Community Development Note Offering Rated by Standard & Poor's; AAA Rating Issued by Standard & Poor's on $26 Million of $46.1 Million Note Offering

Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF), USA, a nonprofit organization that fulfills funding needs of community-based lenders by connecting them with the capital resources of Wall Street, today announced it closed the first note offering rated by Standard & Poor's to be backed by community development loans. This achievement strengthens CRF's connection to the capital markets while providing funding to small businesses in underserved communities.

Posted by Michael at 6:06 AM

Sharing a Wealth of Community Development Experience

United in their hunt for capital, scores of Hispanic nonprofits are joining forces under the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, formed recently to improve information-sharing among community development corporations in an effort to boost access to funding.

Hispanic Business - Sharing a Wealth of Experience

Posted by Michael at 5:52 AM

Babson College Students Use Head and Heart to Assist Non-Profits, Small Business

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:45 AM

Foreign Enrollment Declines at Universities, Surveys Say

Alarmed educators blamed delays in processing American visas as well as increased competition from universities overseas. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:44 AM

The Taming of the Flu: You Can Minimize Risk, Even Without Shot; Simple Steps Can Help Ward Off Virus, Says Simmons College Center for Hygiene and Health

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:43 AM

Chicago Rehab Network Presents Awards for Community Leadership in Affordable Housing; Margo DeLey, Thom Clark, Kelly King Dibble to be Honored

WHAT: "Valuing Housing and Communities: Development Without Displacement" Event Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:39 AM

Replacing Income Tax Code With FairTax, the Progressive National Retail Sales Tax, Deserves a Thorough Look, Says Group

Community Action Partnership: News Releases

Now that the election is over and the President has stated that his platform will include the ambitious and worthy goal of simplifying the tax code; the FairTax -- the national retail sales tax -- deserves a thorough look. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:36 AM

November 9, 2004

Red and Blue States Can Unite Against Poverty

As the Dust Settles from Election Day, Americans Should Unite Against Poverty - The Community Action Partnership Calls on President Bush to Convene a White House Conference on American Poverty.

The election is over. President Bush has been elected to a second term and his opponent, Sen. John Kerry, have gotten past the animosity of the campaign and have vowed to work together. It is time for Americans, regardless of party affiliation, to do the same. Because as viewers stayed glued to their televisions listening to anchors banter about red and blue states, 110 Million Americans continued to live in or near poverty.

Posted by Michael at 12:00 PM

How to Count Homeless People

The Institute for the Study of Homelessness and Poverty let's us know about a new HUD publication.

A Guide to Counting Unsheltered Homeless People has been published by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The guide provides an overview of homeless enumerations, describes several count methodologies, provides "how-to" information on conducting a count, and offers sample forms and referrals to communities who have conducted counts.

NEW PUBLICATION: How to Count Homeless People

Posted by Michael at 11:46 AM

Action Needed: Congress May Decide 2005 Voucher Funding as Soon as This Week

To prevent a repeat of the cuts and chaos that the voucher program experienced in 2004, it is important that you urge Congress to both:

Provide adequate funding to support all authorized housing vouchers that can be used; and

Require HUD to distribute the funds to housing agencies in a way that covers the real costs of each agency's vouchers.

Ask your Senators and Representatives to deliver this message to the following key members:

Senate

Kit Bond (Republican-Missouri), Chair, VA-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee

Barbara Mikulski (Democrat-Maryland), Ranking Minority Member, VA-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee

House of Representatives

Jim Walsh (Republican-New York), Chair, VA-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee

Alan Mollohan (Democrat-West Virginia), Ranking Minority Member, VA-HUD Appropriations Subcommittee

House and Senate staff are expected to start meeting this week to reconcile differing versions of the 2005 VA-HUD funding bill approved earlier by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The decisions Congress makes regarding the provisions of the bill governing funding for the “Section 8” Housing Choice Voucher program will have serious implications — for both the low-income families the program serves and the property owners who rent to them. The Center has released a new analysis discussing the choices Congress faces.

Both the House and Senate bills reject deep voucher funding cuts sought by the Administration and take no action on an Administration plan to convert the program to a block grant. But both bills also contain provisions regarding how HUD distributes voucher funds to state and local housing agencies that raise serious concerns.

Improvements to Appropriations Bills Needed to Protect Housing Vouchers in 2005, 11/8/04

Posted by Michael at 9:34 AM

Improvements to Appropriations Bills Needed to Protect Housing Vouchers in 2005

Barbara Sard and Will Fischer Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:39 AM

Study Finds Women's College Students Are More Focused, Collaborate Better and More Fully Achieve Objectives

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:29 AM

'Western' Diet Linked to Type 2 Diabetes in Women; Diets High in Red and Processed Meats Once Again Linked to Health Ailments

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:27 AM

Drug Could Become First for Specific Race (AP)

AP - A two-drug combination pill dramatically reduced deaths among blacks with heart failure, a landmark finding that is expected to lead to government approval of the first medication marketed for a specific race. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:26 AM

Labor Department Hosts Two-Week Virtual Forum for Government, Business, Community and Faith-Based Leaders

The Chronicle, 11/11/2004: What Nonprofit Leaders Want

The U.S. Labor Department's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives will host a virtual forum from Nov. 8 to 19, to engage government, businesses and faith-based and community groups in a discussion about the 21st century workforce. The free conference, ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:25 AM

November 8, 2004

Meet the Uninsured - Maine

Silently, imperceptibly, the high cost of health insurance in Maine has thrown up walls around low-income workers who earn too much to qualify for government assistance but too little to afford plans with proper coverage, or any at all.

Nearly 11 percent of Mainers go without insurance - lower than the national average but the highest rate in New England, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's one in eight non-elderly adults who run the daily risk of financial hardship for themselves or their families should an accident or serious illness strike.

Meet the uninsured

Posted by Michael at 9:55 AM

What Nonprofit Leaders Want

As President Bush was re-elected to his second term last week, The Chronicle of Philanthropy asked nonprofit leaders to recommend what steps he could take as he begins the new term to help charities and foundations better serve society.

Posted by Michael at 9:01 AM

State Officials Criticize Medicare Benefit Wording

From NYT > Health:

The nation's insurance commissioners say the Bush administration has made misleading statements about the new Medicare drug benefit in an effort to persuade people to sign up. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:16 AM

For Nation, a Mixed Review on Health

For the 15th time, a public health organization on Monday is releasing its assessment of the health of the nation, and of each state, as measured by a composite of 18 variables. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:15 AM

NAR: Communities Benefit with Financing of Commercial Infill Development

Rocky Mountain News: Election

Good planning and a willing community can make it easier to successfully redevelop commercial property in urban and central business "infill" areas, speakers told a real estate forum at the annual National Association of Realtors(r) Conference & Expo. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:14 AM

November 7, 2004

Colorado Voters Hike Tobacco Taxes

Colorado voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a stiff tobacco tax, which advocates say should stop some 1,400 teens a year from starting smoking, and bring health coverage to 60,000 Colorado kids.

Voters hike tobacco taxes

Posted by Michael at 2:57 PM

Poverty perpetuates high school dropout rate

Those who drop out of school are more likely to be poor, and the poor are more likely to drop out of school. This is the cycle that a high student dropout rate is likely to perpetuate, according to the 2004 Report on Illinois Poverty, “Breaking the Cycle of Poverty for Illinois Teens.”

Paris Beacon News

Posted by Michael at 2:13 PM

Minimum wage passage drawing mixed reviews.

Poverty groups cheered the passage of a constitutional amendment to create a Florida minimum wage of $6.15 an hour, saying it would give low-income families a much needed boost.

Businesses, led by the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Retail Federation, had argued against the amendment, saying it would lead to higher prices, job losses and even benefit cuts to other workers to pay for the wage hike.

Retailers, business chambers grumble about increased minimum wage in Florida: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Retailers, business chambers grumble about increased minimum wage in Florida

Posted by Michael at 2:11 PM

Where do the progressives go from here?

For the left, the big message of the 2004 election has to be one virtually unthinkable in the last century: that the best opportunities for progressive policy breakthroughs exist not at the federal but at the state and local level.

Charlotte Observer | 11/06/2004 | Where do the progressives go from here?

Posted by Michael at 2:07 PM

November 6, 2004

Texas Health Textbooks

Same-Sex Ban Spurs Change In Texas Health Textbooks
AUSTIN -- The Texas Board of Education approved new health textbooks for the state's high school and middle school students Friday after publishers agreed to change the wording to depict marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:19 PM

NAR Survey Confirms First-Time Buyers are Fueling the Housing Market

A large pool of first-time homebuyers, who account for four out of 10 home purchases, provide liquidity to the housing market and make it easier for existing owners to trade up or trade down, according to a new survey of home buyers and sellers released today ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:18 PM

'Beat the Odds(r)' Alumni Meet in Washington to Discuss How America Can Help Children Overcome Poverty and Family Setbacks

Past Honorees Available to Media on Monday, Nov. 8 Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:17 PM

November 5, 2004

Health Issues and the 2004 Elections

The Kaiser Family Foundation has issued informational materials on some of the health policy issues of concern to the American public, including Medicare, the uninsured and the problem of rising health care costs. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:17 PM

What Will the Election Mean for Urban America?

[First Tuesday's Transcript] At this special Election Day First Tuesday forum, a panel of reporters addressed the question, "what will the elections mean for America's urban areas." Issues discussed included education, housing, homeland security, and healthcare coverage. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:13 PM

State Profile of California : Data from the 2002 National Survey of America's Families

The State Profile of California presents a detailed series of tables on economic security, child well-being, child care, and health care. The tables compare California with the nation as a whole on all of these measures. The tables are based on the 2002 National Survey of America's Families. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:47 AM

The Effects of Copayments on the Use of Medical Services and Prescription Drugs in Utah's Medicaid Program

Leighton Ku, Elaine Deschamps and Judi Hilman Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:45 AM

Bush Administration Tax Policy: Short-Term Stimulus

This paper examines the effects of recent tax cuts as a short-term economic stimulus. The passage of the tax cuts was well-timed to offset economic downturns, but several elements of the structure of the tax cuts were poorly designed to provide short-term stimulus. For example, the tax cuts were predominantly back-loaded and did not channel funds toward groups with the highest marginal propensity to consume additional resources. Many provisions were intended to stimulate saving, not consumption. As a result, the tax cuts had at best a small "bang for the buck" relative to other options. An alternative package one containing significant state fiscal relief and tax cuts targeted at low-income households could have provided more stimulus with lower budgetary costs. The tax cuts played a relatively minor role in the economic recovery, compared to monetary policy and other factors. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:37 AM

Landmark Long-Term Study of Effects of High-Quality Early Care and Education Shows Positive Economic and Educational Impacts and Crime Reduction

Landmark Long-Term Study of Effects of High-Quality Early Care and Education Shows Positive Economic and Educational Impacts and Crime Reduction Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:10 AM

Medicare Covers New Treatments With a Catch

From NYT > Health:

Medicare is paying for new and expensive treatments and tests conditional on agreement by companies or other groups to pay for studies on whether they actually worked. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:05 AM

New State Health Rankings, Nationwide Survey Results, Community Health Guidelines Among Reports Released at Public Health Meeting

The influenza vaccine, bioterrorism preparedness and environmental threats to the public's health will take center stage in Washington at the American Public Health Association's 132nd Annual Meeting & Exposition, Nov. 6-10, at the Washington Convention ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:04 AM

Professor: Military experience affects adolescents' self-esteem

Timothy J. Owens, a Purdue University associate professor of sociology who studies self-concept and identity, says it is too early to tell how the self-esteem of the young men and women serving in today's military will be shaped by their experiences, and he cautions others to remember how the Vietnam War affected the self-esteem of some adolescent males who were involved. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:03 AM

Focus on Children at Mental Health Symposium, Nov. 9-10, The Carter Center

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:03 AM

First-Ever Study of Parental Role in Children's Cancer Treatment Initiated at Karmanos Cancer Institute; Researchers Using Video to Record, Analyze Interactions Between Parents, Child Patients

NEW WEBSITE: Health Data for LA and Other CA Counties

A team of Detroit-based researchers, led by a behavioral scientist from the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, has launched a unique study to learn how parents can best help their children deal with painful procedures required for cancer treatment. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:02 AM

November 4, 2004

California Health Interview Survey Data

The Institute for the Study of Homelessness and Poverty highlights the release of a new Website from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

This online database permits users to obtain statewide, county-specific or Los Angeles County Service Planning Area (SPA) statistics covering hundreds of health topics, including health status, health conditions, health-related behaviors, health insurance coverage, access to and use of health care services, and the health and development of children and adolescents. Data can be examined in light of numerous demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, language, family status, education, poverty, and residency status.

Posted by Michael at 10:29 AM

More Participation Not Necessarily a Trend

ETI Purchasing Power and Workforce Density Data Home Page

Record numbers of voters cast ballots this year, attracted by a clash of opposites won by President Bush because his Republican campaign made enough smart moves in critical states to offset Democratic challenger John F. Kerry's appeal among minority and youth voters, analysts said Wednesday. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:03 AM

November 3, 2004

Consumer Expenditure Data Online for All U.S. ZIP Codes and Census Tracts

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is making new data available
through its Website to help promote economic development in lower-income
and underserved urban neighborhoods.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Employment and Training Institute
now provides free data on estimated annual consumer expenditures for 16
categories of retail items for all residential ZIP codes and census
tracts in the U.S.

The purchasing power profiles are designed to help cities, businesses, and community organizations assess the advantages of urban density for underserved city neighborhoods.

This information is available for free through the University website.

Posted by Michael at 11:58 PM

November 2, 2004

Kaiser Health Poll Report - September/October 2004

The September/October featured topic uses data from the 2003 Kaiser Health Insurance survey to examine the public’s expectations and priorities for health insurance. The report also includes Health Security Watch, Health Care Priorities, and Health News Index. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:31 AM

Wage growth continues to slow; falls behind inflation

From Economic Policy Institute:

The average pay of working Americans grew at the slowest rate on record in the third quarter of this year, according to the Employment Cost Index (ECI) report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For a complete analysis, see the October 29 Snapshot. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:22 AM

Lower level of education can impede reovery in elderly after hospitalization

Low education level can significantly impair functional recovery in older adults after a hospital stay, Yale researchers report in the November 1 issue of the American Journal of Medicine. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:02 AM

November 1, 2004

Foundation Resources on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

The Foundation has compiled resources to reflect the latest information on the Medicare Drug Law, as well as background materials on various parts of the law, including these recent releases: Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:40 AM

Support Success In Community Colleges

From MDRC:

Community colleges can pursue many strategies for enhancing student services, including offering "one-stop shopping," which provides students with multiple services at the same time and place. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:32 AM

Is Kaiser the Future of American Health Care?

From NYT > Health:

Many experts and politicians believe Kaiser, an H.M.O., is doing some of the things needed to improve health care. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:17 AM

In American Health Care, Drug Shortages Are Chronic

From NYT > Health:

Some economists say a shortage of certain drugs in the United States stems from a central feature of the nation's public health system: no one is in charge. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:16 AM

Pediatricians Often Underestimate Substance Abuse Problems in Adolescents; Regular Use of Screening Tool Can Help Pediatricians Identify Adolescents at Risk

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:13 AM

Report: Puffing Even One Cigarette in Childhood Dramatically Increases Odds of Future Smoking

Childhood experimentation with tobacco is far more likely to lead to a daily smoking habit than most people believe. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:13 AM

Suits to Target No Child Left Behind Act (AP)