Human Services News

Los Angeles Times - WASHINGTON — Emboldened by their success at the polls, the Bush administration and Republican leaders in Congress believe they have a new opportunity to move the nation away from the system of employer-provided health insurance that has covered most working Americans for the last half-century. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:59 PM

Bush on Social Security and Clinton on Health Care: Oh, Those Devilish Details

Some analysts say President Bush's Social Security plan may suffer the same fate as President Clinton's push for universal healthcare. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:58 PM

U.S. Is Close to Eliminating AIDS in Infants, Officials Say

From NYT > Health:

Mother-to-child transmission of H.I.V. has dropped so sharply that public health officials now talk about wiping it out. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:56 PM

Bush Vows to Back Digital Health Records

From NYT > Health:

The Bush administration renewed a pledge to finance projects intended to accelerate the adoption of computerized health records. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:55 PM

Governor Gives Helping Hand to Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren; AARP Commends Gov. Pataki for New Law Helping Children with Health Care, Education Needs

Today, Governor George Pataki delivered a new law to help grandparents and other caregivers caring for children. The "Caregiver Consent" law will allow parents to authorize grandparents, relatives and other caregivers to make day-to-day school and health care ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:54 PM

AIDS Alliance Praises Media Coverage on Ending Pediatric AIDS in the U.S.: But the Battle is Not Over; Harvey Statement

Following is a statement of David C. Harvey, Executive Director, AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families: Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:53 PM

"One Day I Will Make It"

From MDRC:

Library-based literacy programs face serious challenges to improving adult students' participation. This study suggests programs should be prepared to accommodate intermittent participation by adult students and to connect students to social services and other supports. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:14 AM

Viacom and Kaiser Launch Year Three of KNOW HIV/AIDS Campaign

Viacom Inc. and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation announced the year-three launch of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning public education initiative Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:12 AM

New Reports on Transitioning Dual Eligibles to the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

Three new reports focus on one of the biggest challenges in the implementation of the Medicare Modernization Act, the transitioning of drug coverage for individuals dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, who now get their drug coverage from Medicaid, to the new Medicare benefit. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:07 AM

Online Tools for Consumer-Directed Health Plans

This webcast is a demonstration of the online tools intended to help enrollees in consumer-directed health plans control costs and choose quality care. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:06 AM

Tracking Survey Assesses Seniors' Views of Medicare Drug Law

New data from the Kaiser Health Poll Report tracking survey provides updated trend information on seniors’ knowledge and views of the new Medicare law. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:05 AM

Support Success

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 3:02 AM

New Study Shows a Rise in Enrollment of Families Triggered Medicaid Spending Growth, But Medicaid Spending Grew at a Slower Rate than Private Insurance Spending

A New Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured funded study published in Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:01 AM

Estimating Financial Support for Kinship Caregivers

In this brief we examine levels of receipt for government payments that children in kinship care are eligible to receive. We find that children's receipt of financial assistance is still low given their eligibility. Many, if not most, families that could be eligible for the most generous payment, a foster payment, do not receive it. Children whose living situations make them ineligible for foster care payments have surprisingly low levels of receipt for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) child-only benefits, often their only source for financial assistance. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:58 AM

January 29, 2005

Deductibility of State and Local Taxes

Some have called for eliminating the itemized deduction for state and local income and property taxes as part of tax reform. This Tax Facts column looks at the states most affected by the current deduction and some aspects of repeal. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:57 AM

Latest Global HIV Media Campaign

On Thursday, January 6th Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India oversaw a meeting of top media leaders from across the country at his residence in Delhi to discuss media's role in addressing HIV/AIDS. This first Media Leaders Summit on HIV/AIDS was convened by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and organized by the Heroes Project, established by Richard Gere and Parmeshwar Godrej in partnership with the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Avahan Initiative of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:53 AM

States Can Decouple From the "Qualified Production Activities Income" Deduction

Nicholas Johnson and Elizabeth McNichol Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:53 AM

Federal "Business Activity Tax Nexus" Legislation: Half of A Two-Pronged Strategy To Gut State Corporate Income Taxes

Michael Mazerov Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:52 AM

January 28, 2005

Heart Disease News From Harvard Women's Health Watch

Only a few years ago, most of what we knew about heart disease, the number one killer of women, came from studies in men. More recent research, though, is uncovering new information about the sex differences in heart disease. Here are some of those findings, ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:30 PM

Hewlett-Packard, Applied Materials, Stanford University to Sponsor League of Women Voters of California Gala for Voter Education

Hewlett-Packard, Applied Materials and Stanford University are among the sponsors for the Democracy Dinner, a gala affair on April 22 at The Fairmont San Jose to benefit The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and the education funds of local Leagues in Silicon Valley.

According to Jacqueline Jacobberger, president of The League of Women Voters of California, "Because the League focuses on the future, Silicon Valley is an appropriate place to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our Education Fund. It is especially gratifying that industries that are key to the economic future of California and Stanford University recognize and support League's efforts to encourage the informed participation of citizens in government at all levels."

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:24 PM

January 27, 2005

60 Companies Plan to Sponsor Health Coverage for Uninsured

From NYT > Health:

In an attempt to extend health coverage to uninsured workers, 60 large employers are joining together to sponsor an array of low-cost health insurance options. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:49 AM

Next American City Decries 'Limousine Libertarianism'; Editor Warns of Danger of Ideological Approach to U.S. Housing Needs

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:46 AM

Hudson Institute: New Drug Approval Process a Victory for Poor AIDS Patients

Hudson Institute's Center for Science in Public Policy declares the new FDA expedited drug approval process a victory for poor AIDS patients. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:45 AM

January 26, 2005

High-Tech Alliance on Base for a Digital Health Network

From NYT > Health:

Eight of the nation's largest technology companies have agreed to embrace open technology standards as the building blocks for a national health information network. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:13 AM

Affordable Housing Set-Aside Ordinance Gains Committee Hearing on Wednesday, January 26

On Wednesday January 26, the "Affordable Housing Set-Aside Ordinance" co-sponsored by twenty-four aldermen will be heard in the City Council's Committee on Housing and Real Estate at 10 am in Council Chambers. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:11 AM

President Discusses Issues With Black Leaders

From NYT > National:

President Bush told a meeting of African-American religious and community leaders on Tuesday that he remained committed to a proposed ban on same-sex marriages. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:10 AM

Beliefs may hinder HIV prevention among African-Americans

A new study suggests that a number of African Americans are distrustful of the government's role in the origin and treatment of HIV/AIDS - and that African American men who have such beliefs also have more negative attitudes toward condoms and use them less consistently. NIH/National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:10 AM

Study Finds Youth Smoking Would be Much Lower if States Followed CDC Guidelines for Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Spending

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:09 AM

Jury in Ousted Priest's Trial Is Told of Child-Rape Cycle

From NYT > National:

Paul R. Shanley, a defrocked priest at the center of the sexual abuse crisis in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, went on trial Tuesday. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:07 AM

January 25, 2005

Taylor Middle School Receives Award of Excellence

This morning President David Hecker of the Michigan Federation of Teachers & School Related Personnel, (MFT&SRP) AFT, AFL-CIO presented the Red School House Award to Robert J. West Middle School in Taylor. The union awards this yearly to schools where ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:50 AM

Exercise helps reduce symptoms of depression, UT Southwestern researchers find

Jumping on that treadmill or bike is not only good for one's health, but also can help significantly reduce depression, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found. The first study to look at exercise alone in treating mild to moderate depression in adults aged 20 to 45 showed that depressive symptoms were reduced almost 50 percent in individuals who participated in 30-minute aerobic exercise sessions three to five times a week. NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, Technogym Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:47 AM

By age 6, children of overweight mothers are also prone to obesity

By age six, children of overweight mothers are fifteen times more likely to be obese than children of lean mothers. The research, at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania, showed the strength of genetic influences, and suggests that efforts to prevent obesity should focus on such children at risk, preferably by four years of age. National Institutes of Health Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:39 AM

New Grants to Benefit Children's Health in Aberdeen, S.D., and Surrounding Region

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is investing nearly $300,000 in three organizations working to improve access to dental care and primary health care for low- and moderate-income children in Brown County.

The grantees are: Presentation College, $144,000; Foundation for Aberdeen Area Children and Service Systems Program, $130,000; and CASA of Aberdeen Fifth Judicial Circuit, $20,000.

While the grants are to individual organizations, together they are designed to address Knight Foundation's locally recommended priority to improve the overall health of children by improving the availability of quality primary health and dental care. Over the next four years, Knight plans to invest $1 million in Brown County to achieve those goals.

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:38 AM

January 24, 2005

Study naming hospitals in top 5% for clinical quality released by HealthGrades

A new study naming hospitals in the top five percent in the nation in clinical quality is being released today by HealthGrades, the independent healthcare quality organization. The hospitals were ranked on the death and complication rates of Medicare patients in 28 common procedures and diagnoses. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:13 PM

Deficit-Minded Republicans Eyeing Entitlements (Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Times - WASHINGTON — The battle to control the federal deficit is shifting ground, ever so slowly, to Social Security, Medicare and the other giant benefit programs that account for a growing share of spending. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:10 PM

New Medicare Rules on Drugs Balance Access Against Costs

From NYT > Health:

The new drug benefit guarantees patients access to medicines while giving insurance companies potent tools to control costs. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:07 PM

Hypertension risk in African-Americans linked to genetics, Stanford study finds

National health records have shown that African-Americans are more prone to high blood pressure than Caucasians, but pinning down the roots of that difference has proven elusive. Now, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have narrowed down the search for genes that contribute to this difference in disease risk. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:02 PM

Nurses for Newborns Foundation Leader Featured at Jan. 26 Congressional Briefing; Discussion Emphasizes Positive Impact of Home Visitation Programs

Next week Sharon Rohrbach, chief executive officer of Nurses for Newborns Foundation, will host a congressional briefing entitled "Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect and Improving Infant Health through Home Visitation." Rohrbach's efforts are sponsored by ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:02 PM

Inhalant Abuse on Rise

From washingtonpost.com - Nation:

A hidden epidemic is gaining momentum in America, experts say, with children as young as fourth-graders deliberately inhaling the fumes of dangerous chemicals from a variety of household and office products. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:00 PM

Trends in Labor Organizing to Be Examined at New York Law School Conf.; Participants to Discuss New Organizational Tools, Techniques

WHAT: Next Wave Organizing Conference Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:15 AM

2005 Earned Income Tax Credit Outreach Kit

http://www.rand.org/publications/randreview/issues/fall2004/class.html

1/18/05 Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:07 AM

January 21, 2005

Act Now to Protect Community Investments, Bank Services

We urge you to oppose these proposals. The sheer volume of comments is important!

What You Can Do: Easy and Fast

1. Send an email to regs.comments@ots.treas.gov commenting on proposed regulations.

2. Enter "2004-53 Community Reinvestment Act" in the subject line of the e-mail.

3. Write a comment. It can be as brief as: "All federally insured financial institutions should continue to be fully accountable under CRA for making investments and providing services. I also oppose the OTS proposal to consider favorably rural community development activities that do not primarily benefit low-income people or communities." The deadline for comments is January 24. Please act now.

4. Pass this e-Alert on to colleagues so they can comment too.

For More Information

For background, see The New York Times op-ed column [PDF] in support of CRA by former Treasury Secretary and class=SpellE>LISC's current Chairman, Robert Rubin, and our President, Michael class=SpellE>Rubinger. The OTS proposal is available on the OTS website. Additional information is also available from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition and the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders.

Posted by Michael at 11:43 PM

A Matter of Class - Educational Achievement Reflects Family Background More Than Ethnicity or Immigration

This report from RAND examines student reading and math scores in light of race, ethnicity, immigrant status and socioeconomic factors, such as parent education levels, neighborhood poverty, parental occupational status and family income. The report's findings are followed by policy recommendations.

SELECTED FINDINGS

* "Ethnicity and immigrant status themselves are not important predictors of school readiness."

* "The key factors associated with narrowing the gaps in math scores for black and Latino students were (1) improved socioeconomic conditions among their families and (2) expanded placement in academic tracks."

* "Less discipline and greater parental warmth are associated with fewer behavior problems for children regardless of ethnicity, immigrant status, or neighborhood."

The Full Report:

Posted by Michael at 2:03 AM

The Evaluation Exchange For Family Involvement

Harvard Family Research Project has just released the Winter 2004/2005 issue of their "The Evaluation Exchange" periodical.

The latest issue's topic is evaluating programs that promote families' involvement in children's learning and development. The new issue compiles the current knowledge base on family support and involvement programs and provides a continuous perspective on family processes surrounding children's learning and development, from a child's early years through adolescence.

Articles in the issue address the challenges of evaluating family programs, including the need for conceptual clarity, methodological rigor, accountability, and contextual responsiveness. In an interview with Jeanne Brooks-Gunn she reflects on breakthrough findings and new directions for research, evaluation, and practice in family-focused interventions.

Rounding out the issue are examples of ongoing evaluations of parent
leadership and organizing programs that are working to ensure that schools serve all children at high standards.

The issue is available in full online at:

http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/eval/issue28/

Posted by Michael at 1:54 AM

January 20, 2005

Medicare to Expand Coverage of Heart Devices

Officials are planning a major expansion of Medicare coverage for implantable devices that can help prevent sudden death from heart failure and certain diseases. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:32 AM

Cancer Passes Heart Disease as Top Killer

From NYT > Health:

For the first time, cancer has surpassed heart disease as the top killer of Americans younger than 85, health officials said. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:31 AM

Cimarron Foundation Grants $1 Million to University of Texas at El Paso's Institute for Policy and Economic Development; Funds to Focus on Improvement of Strategies, Public Policy for Regional Economic Development Programs

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:28 AM

Most adverse events in hospitalized children are preventable

A study by researchers at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine suggests that nearly 70,000 children hospitalized in the United States experience an adverse event each year and that at least 60 percent of these errors may be preventable. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:26 AM

Tufts researchers changing way Americans define success for adolescents

For 100 years, experts in adolescent development have focused on measures such as pregnancy and dropout rates and characterized the teen years as full of struggle and stress. In the first longitudinal study of 'Positive Youth Development,' Tufts researchers have data showing that, when active in their community, school and family, adolescents can be happy, productive and valuable 'assets' to their neighborhoods, and not 'problems to be managed'. National 4-H Council Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:26 AM

Study shows strengths, gaps in quality of care for kids in California's public mental health clinics

A UCLA-led study of children's patient records at California's public mental health clinics identifies strengths and gaps in quality of care. For example, nearly three-quarters of patient records of children receiving psychoactive medication did not document adequate safety monitoring through vital signs or laboratory studies. The study examines safety and appropriateness of care for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder and major depression in the public clinics. It is the first statewide study on quality of care for children. California Department of Mental Health, NIH/National Institute on Mental Health Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:25 AM

January 19, 2005

How Much Does an Arizona Public School Education Cost? Report Brings Transparency to Education Finance

A new analysis of Arizona public school financing shows average total spending for an Arizona public school student is between $8,500 and $9,000. The report, co-published by the Milton and Rose D. Friedman Foundation and the Goldwater Institute, presents information ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:37 AM

Optimism has fallen, divisions increased (USATODAY.com)

USATODAY.com - President Bush takes the oath of office for a second time on Thursday with ambitious plans to foster democracy in Iraq and to overhaul Social Security, rewrite the tax code and limit medical-malpractice lawsuits at home. But he will be leading a nation that is less optimistic about the future than it was when he was inaugurated for his first term. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:32 AM

Road Map to a Digital System of Health Records

From NYT > Health:

A group of health and information technology organizations gave the Bush administration recommendations for a health information network of digital records. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:30 AM

Bush Nominee Wants States to Get Medicaid Flexibility

From NYT > Health:

President Bush's nominee for secretary of health and human services said Tuesday that states could provide health insurance to more people if they had "greater flexibility" to reshape the Medicaid program. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:29 AM

Statement from the Center for Community Change on Confirmation Hearing of Gov. Michael O. Leavitt to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The following is a statement from the Center for Community Change on the confirmation hearing of Governor Michael O. Leavitt to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:27 AM

ACORN Tells Working Families: Don't Get 'RAL-Roaded', Keep More of Your Money

This tax season ACORN wants low and moderate-income people to know that they don't have to get a Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL) to receive their refund fast. The community group says that many working people, who are eager to get their refund, are steered ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:25 AM

January 18, 2005

UCI professor creates formula for designing landscapes best suited for people's well-being

At $350 million, New York City's Sept. 11 memorial for Ground Zero features pools of water, oak trees and vast open space for the sun to shine through. But given the huge investment, are these carefully chosen aesthetic touches truly the right ones? Will they resonate for visitors to the memorial? And what will they mean to those living and working in lower Manhattan? University of California - Irvine Libraries, University of California - Irvine's Claire Trevor School of the Arts Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:08 AM

Bishop Harry Jackson, Other Leaders Launch High-Impact Leadership Coalition with Moral Value Summits in Key Cities Across America, Starting with L.A. on Feb. 1; Coalition to Release Black Contract with America on Moral Value Issues on Feb. 1 in L.A.

Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr., a national evangelical Christian leader, launched a new national nonprofit organization today called the High-Impact Leadership Coalition. The new grassroots nonprofit organization's mission is to help educate and empower church, ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:07 AM

Adult moms more affectionate with their infants: Study

Mothers who are more mature tend to display more affection towards their infants whereas teenage mothers often focus on instrumental behaviour - fixing their infant's clothes or their soother - finds a new study of maternal behaviour. Canadian Institutes of Health Research Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:05 AM

The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi Honored as National Leader in Protecting Kids from Tobacco; Group Receives 1st Ever 'Keeping the Promise' Award for Using Tobacco Settlement Funds to Reduce Tobacco Use

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids today honored The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi as a national leader in protecting kids from tobacco, presenting The Partnership with the Campaign's first ever "Keeping the Promise" Award for its success ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:01 AM

A proverb a day may make you healthier

It's time to add to our store of proverbs with new phrases that teach us how to be healthier, says a University of Toronto researcher. In a paper published in the Dec. 2004 issue of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Bernard Choi, a professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences, suggests that we need to create new science-based proverbs that reflect current information about healthy living. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:59 AM

January 14, 2005

Paternity Disestablishment in 2004: The Year in Review

From Center for Law and Social Policy:

by Paula Roberts. This memo analyzes the statutory and case law developments in late 2003 and 2004. It contains two appendices. The first appendix describes in detail the reported cases in 2004. The cases are divided by topic and listed alphabetically by state. The second appendix contains two charts listing the major state cases in the last seven years. One chart deals with disestablishment for marital children and the other for non-marital children. This memo follows up the publications titled Truth and Consequences, Parts I, II, and III and a memo from June 2004. All documents are available at www.clasp.org. Pub No. 04-54. 20 pages. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:51 AM

Comments Regarding Changes to the Matching Requirements in the Child Care and Development Block Grant

From Center for Law and Social Policy:

by Danielle Ewen and Mark Greenberg. These comments, sent to the Child Care Bureau on January 8, 2005, respond to the proposed changes to the matching requirements in the Child Care and Development Block Grant. CLASP is concerned that the proposed changes could lead to reduced accountability and the potential for fraud and misexpenditures. The comments outline the areas of concern and suggest alternative approaches. Pub No. 05-02. 7 pages. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:50 AM

The Flawed "Population Plus Inflation" Formula; Why TABOR's Growth Formula Doesn't Work

David H. Bradley, Nicholas Johnson, and Iris J. Lav Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:50 AM

Proposed Social Security reform cuts income support

From Economic Policy Institute:

A key proposal by President Bush's commission on Social Security would prevent Social Security benefits from growing along with general living standards in the future. This would cause Social Security to wither away over time and result in larger income declines for retirees, the disabled, and survivors, and hurt working families with low and middle incomes. For further analysis of the changes proposed by the president's Social Security commission, read the January 12 Snapshot. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:49 AM

Federal Policy for Immigrant Children: Room for Common Ground?

From Center for Law and Social Policy:

by Ron Haskins, Mark Greenberg, and Shawn Fremstad. This policy brief, part of the Future of Children Policy Brief Series by the Brookings Institution, offers differing views from its authors on how to improve the well-being of children in immigrant families in the United States. Haskins emphasizes the need to tie public benefits for immigrant families to work through such policies as education and training and the earned income tax credit for families with children. While Greenberg and Fremstad argue that noncitizen families should have the same eligibility for public assistance as citizen families and support greater financial aid for early childhood education and other forms of schooling. 6 pages. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 1:43 AM

January 13, 2005

Secondary School Principals Encouraged and Cautiously Optimistic about President Bush's High School Reform Proposal; Federal Involvement, Financial Support of High School Reform Efforts Long Overdue

The following statement on President Bush's High School Reform Proposal was released today by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP): Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:04 PM

Martin Luther King Day 2005: A Day On, Not a Day Off; Americans Nationwide Honor Dr. King's Legacy by Serving Others

For hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country, January 17 will be a day "on" for service-not just a day off from work-as they honor Martin Luther King Jr. by engaging in service activities for their communities and neighbors. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:52 PM

Bush Plans Sharp Cuts in HUD Community Efforts (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - The White House will seek to drastically shrink the Department of Housing and Urban Development's $8 billion community branch, purging dozens of economic development projects, scrapping a rural housing program and folding high-profile anti-poverty efforts into the Labor and Commerce departments, administration officials said yesterday. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:51 PM

Survey Finds Online Health Information Poised to Become Important Resource For Seniors, But Not There Yet

A national Kaiser Family Foundation survey of older Americans found that as the Internet becomes an increasingly important resource for informing decisions about health and health care options, less than a third (31%) of seniors (age 65 and older) have ever gone online, but that more than two-thirds (70%) of the next generation of seniors (50-64 year-olds) have done so. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:33 AM

Revised Diet Guidelines Urge Exercise (washingtonpost.com)

washingtonpost.com - Americans need to make a healthy body weight a top priority as they decide what to eat and should make time for 30 to 90 minutes of daily physical activity, the government said yesterday in the first revision of its recommended dietary guidelines in five years. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:59 AM

U.S. Diet Guide Puts Emphasis on Weight Loss

From NYT > Health:

For the first time since the recommendations were introduced in 1980, the new guidelines emphasize weight loss as well as healthy eating and cardiovascular health. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:57 AM

Abraham Calls on Global Community to Aggressively Address Nuclear Nonproliferation

In a lunchtime speech to the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, DC, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham called on the global community to join in implementing a comprehensive nuclear nonproliferation strategy to address 21st century challenges. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:56 AM

Expert: Malaria Could Kill 100K in Asia (AP)

AP - Malaria could kill up to 100,000 people in coming months across Indian Ocean communities devastated by the Dec. 26 tsunami if authorities do not quickly move to kill mosquitoes, a health expert warned Thursday. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:55 AM

IFAW Rescues and Rehabilitates Hundreds of Animals Affected By Major Oil Spill in Veracruz, Mexico

A team of wildlife experts from IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) -- http://www.ifaw.org -- are currently rescuing and rehabilitating animals affected by a major oil spill near Veracruz, Mexico. The spill occurred on Dec. 22 after an explosion ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:55 AM

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Remembers AMBER Alert Namesake; Today Nation Recognizes Amber Hagerman's Abduction and the Life-Saving Program Created in Her Memory

Today the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), is participating in a national effort to recognize the abduction of Amber Hagerman, the 9-year-old girl whose 1996 abduction and murder ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:54 AM

January 12, 2005

2005 Health Care Agenda and Election Survey

A new Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health survey finds that Americans favor malpractice reform and drug importation, but rank them low on the list for Congress and the president. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:19 AM

Child Welfare Spending during a Time of Fiscal Stress

This brief highlights some of the findings from the Urban Institute's 2003 Child Welfare Survey. States spent at least $22 billion on child welfare activities in state fiscal year (SFY) 2002, with increases between SFY 2000 and SFY 2002 coming from all levels of government. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:12 AM

How Did the 2001 Recession Affect Single Mothers?

The weakening economy and job losses after late 2000 posed a tough challenge for welfare reform's employment strategy. This issue of the Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:12 AM

Added sugar displaces food groups lowering quality of preschooler diets

American preschoolers get about 14 to 17 teaspoons of added sugar a day, on average, mostly from fruit-flavored drinks, high-fat desserts and cola-type soft drinks which displace the grain, vegetable, fruit and dairy food groups and lower the quality of their diet, a Penn State study has shown. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:05 AM

The Wallace Foundation Commits $12 Million to Help Strengthen Out-of-School Time Programs

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:05 AM

Vanderbilt Author: Government Should Educate Public for Stronger Democracy

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:04 AM

Online Health Information Poised to Become Important Resource For Seniors, But Not There Yet; Digital Divide Puts Many Seniors at Disadvantage

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:01 AM

Five Reasons to Learn to Forgive from Harvard Women's Health Watch

This New Year's, an unconventional resolution may be one of the healthiest you can make-learning to forgive more easily. According to an article in the January issue of Harvard Women's Health Watch, forgiving those who hurt you can improve your mental and ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:00 AM

The Secret Lives of Just About Everybody

From NYT > Health:

Psychologists say that most normal adults are well equipped to start a secret life and that keeping a secret is a key to healthy development. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:58 AM

CWA Expects Bright Future for Unborn Children

A Community Indicators Report

As Concerned Women for America (CWA) joins millions of pro-life Americans in remembering the tragic loss of life since Roe v. Wade led to abortion on demand 32 years ago, it looks forward to a hopeful future with the promise of Supreme Court justices and new ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:54 AM

4 More Bodies Found in Mudslide, Bringing Toll to 10

From NYT > National:

Four more bodies were pulled from a 25-foot-deep mountain of mud and debris early today, including three children. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 8:53 AM

January 11, 2005

A Snapshot of Community Indicators Development

The Association for Community Health Improvement announces the release of a Community Indicators Report that presents a snapshot of community indicators' development, use and impact across a range of topics, by weaving together presentation summaries from the Community Indicators Conference held in March 2004 in Reno, Nevada.

The document defines community indicators broadly as systems of measure pertaining to the quality of community life, and focuses on health-related indicators initiatives. It also provides links to the Community Indicators Consortium's new web site and its member organizations.

Posted by Michael at 12:07 PM

Supermarket Characteristics and Operating Costs in Low-Income Areas

the Institute for the Study of Homelessness and Poverty has alerted us of a new publication from the USDA.

This report, based upon an examination of 32,000 supermarkets in the US that accept food stamps, explores whether poor people pay more for food as well as similarities and differences among markets serving poor, middle income and rich communities. In addition to retail food costs, the report examines market characteristics (square footage, age, hours open, number of checkout lines, and ownership traits); customer characteristics (income and ethnicity); competition issues (wages, unionization, employee turnover, and distance to nearest competitor); and other practices and measures.

Supermarket Characteristics and Operating Costs in Low-Income Areas

Posted by Michael at 11:34 AM

Nation's Health Spending Slows, but It Still Hits a Record

At $1.7 trillion, health spending topped 15 percent of the gross domestic product for the first time, the government said. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:20 AM

Bush's Proposals Could Lead to Overhaul in State Medicaid

From NYT > Health:

Gov. George Pataki's advisers are arguing over whether he should embrace efforts to limit the federal Medicaid program, which could help alter New York's costly program. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:19 AM

Columbia study shows depression intensifies from one generation to the next

Nearly 60 percent of children whose parents and grandparents suffered from depression have a psychiatric disorder before they reach their early teens, according to a new study published in the January issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute. This is more than double the number of children (approx. 28 percent) who develop such disorders with no family history of depression. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:15 AM

StudentsReview, the Largest Free Provider of Student Opinion Has Released its First Official College Rankings

StudentsReview, described by the Washington Post as "full of youthful insider advice" (Using the Pessimist's Paradigm in College Selection -- Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002), today released its OFFICIAL college rankings, based entirely on what the students ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:15 AM

UPDATED: January Deadline Looms for Governor to Help Grandparents Caring for Grandchildren; 'Caregiver Consent' Law Needed

Under current law it can be difficult for grandparents or other caregivers, who lack legal custody of the children in their care, to make important day-to-day educational and health care decisions. The "Caregiver Consent" bill, S.6818 (LaValle)/A.11079 ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:14 AM

Justices Refuse to Consider Law Banning Gay Adoption

The Supreme Court's decision favors Florida, the only state that prohibits gay men and lesbians from adopting children. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 3:14 AM

January 10, 2005

The Interaction of Child Support and TANF

From MDRC:

This study suggests that child support can be an important income source and can help welfare recipients move toward self-sufficiency. More generous distribution rules increase payment rates, but many parents still do not understand the distribution rules. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:46 AM

How City Officials Coped With Flu Vaccine Scare: They Scrounged

From NYT > Health:

Only a last-minute contribution of 10,000 doses of flu vaccine enabled the city's health department to keep its clinics running. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:38 AM

Reservation Economic Summit - RES 2005 - Marks 35th Anniversary of BusinessSuccess for Natl Center for American Indian Enterprise Development

This year, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) celebrates 35 years of promoting economic development and creating business success in Indian Country. NCAIED's 35th anniversary will be observed during "RES 2005" (Reservation ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:36 AM

America's Changing, And So Is the Census: National Mailing of New American Community Survey Marks Historic Shift for Census Bureau

The days of having to wait a decade for updated census figures about a changing America will soon be behind us, thanks to a new survey the U.S. Census Bureau began mailing in January to 250,000 households a month across the nation. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:36 AM

Later entry into Grade 1 boosts self-esteem later in life, study shows

A new study from the University of Alberta suggests it may be better to enroll your child in the first grade later than sooner. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:35 AM

Kansas State Professor, Students Research Willingness to Engage in Various Minor Moral and Legal Violations

There are a lot of terrible things that people do to one another. A husband kills his pregnant wife and unborn child. A woman kills another woman she met on the Internet and kidnaps an 8-month fetus she cut from its mother's womb. At the same time, there ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:34 AM

Supreme Court Lets Stand Florida's Gay Adoption Ban (Reuters)

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey.

Reuters - The U.S. Supreme Court refused on Monday to hear a constitutional challenge to a 1977 Florida law that bans gays and lesbians from adopting children, the only such state law in the nation. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:34 AM

January 7, 2005

Survey to Examine Impact of Tsunami Disaster on Nonprofit Organization Funding

Commulinks of Colorado is conducting a nationwide survey to determine the projected impact of tsunami disaster relief efforts on the nation's nonprofit community.

Jim Moore, general partner in Commulinks of Colorado, said, "The tsunami disaster is perhaps the largest, most widespread natural disaster in recorded history. Our hearts go out to the victims
and the survivors who must live with grief and loss and yet rebuild their lives in the months and years ahead. We urge everyone to support relief efforts."

By their nature, nonprofit organizations are particularly sensitive and responsive to the needs of disaster victims. Unfortunately, lessons learned from the aftermath of the September 11th attacks point out that nonprofits are also particularly vulnerable to
sudden shifts in philanthropy in response to natural or man-made disasters. Many nonprofits have not fully recovered from the devastating impact 9/11 had on donations and grants.

"We compiled a survey that we hope will help all of us understand the impacts that disaster relief will have on nonprofit organizations in general," Moore said. "How will record levels of generosity for
disaster relief affect fundraising revenues for nonprofit organizations that are not part of that relief effort? What cascading effects will shifts in priorities by government, corporate and foundation grant funding sources have on the overall fundraising
landscape? How should nonprofits prepare for these changes?" Moore asks.

Commulinks of Colorado invites everyone to take the survey. Moore adds, "This survey is not just for nonprofit professionals. It is for
foundations, government funders, individual and corporate donors, other business associates, friends and family as well. Everyone's opinion matters."

Posted by Michael at 8:06 AM

National Urban League Contributes to Tsunami Relief; Encourages Donations to UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders, Federation of Indian Associations and Red Cross

Health Insurance - California HealthCare Foundation

Marc H. Morial, President & CEO announced today that the National Urban League has made a contribution to the Tsunami relief efforts and encourages support from other community and civil rights organizations. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 2:56 AM

January 6, 2005

CHCF Launches Coverage Expansion Resource Center

Apples to Apples: A Framework for Comparing Health Coverage Expansion Models

CHCF and the Economic and Social Research Institute have created an online resource center to help policymakers and the general public compare models for expanding health care coverage. Currently, it is difficult to compare features or assess trade-offs among the most common approaches.

The online resource center features a framework tool for evaluating model plans that uses four central issues: coverage; cost and efficiency; fairness and equity; and choice and autonomy.

The Coverage Expansion Resource Center focuses on California but is valuable for evaluating models under consideration in other states and nationally.

Posted by Michael at 11:59 PM

In Wake of Asian Tsunami, Sri Lankan Ex-Slave and Anti-Slavery Activists Call for Measures to Prevent Child Slavery; Children Left Homeless and Orphaned Facing Increased Risk from Traffickers

Beatrice Fernando, a Sri Lankan survivor of slavery, joined with the American Anti-Slavery Group to call for increased vigilance against child trafficking in the wake of the recent tsunami in Southeast Asia. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:12 PM

Biggest clergy abuse settlement announced (USATODAY.com)

censr-19.pdf (application/pdf Object)

USATODAY.com - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in California has announced details of the largest single settlement in the church's child sexual-abuse scandal. The diocese said that it had agreed to a $100 million civil settlement with 90 victims. The largest previous settlement, $85 million, was made in Boston in 2003. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:12 PM

January 5, 2005

We the People: Aging in the United States

We the People: Aging in the United States has be released by the US Census Bureau.

This report describes social and economic characteristics of men and women in the US, aged 65 and older. Topics covered include age, sex ratio, marriage status, living arrangements, nativity, citizenship status, languages spoken, educational attainment, labor force participation, earnings, income, poverty, homeownership rate, grandparents as caregivers, and disabilities.

Posted by Michael at 1:16 AM

Child Welfare Workforce and Training Resources

Looking for tools and information to build and strengthen the child welfare workforce? Visit the Child Welfare Workforce and Training Resources section of the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information website.

Along with up-to-date research, reports and literature on current workforce issues such as turnover, worker safety, and worker competencies, the website offers a wealth of links to university degree programs, training organizations and curricula for caseworkers, supervisors, parents, and other professionals.

Child Welfare Workforce and Training Resources

Posted by Michael at 1:13 AM

Study Indicates Secondhand Smoke Exposure Harms Children's Intellectual Development Says Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

The following is a statement of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Director of Research Daniel E. McGoldrick: Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:10 AM

Bush's Latest Brainchild Could Be Left Behind (Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Times - WASHINGTON — At first glance, President Bush seems well-positioned to expand his No Child Left Behind program of academic standards, testing and accountability into the nation's high schools. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 12:09 AM

January 4, 2005

College Alumni Say Affordability Should Be School's Top Priority

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:57 PM

Ruling Is Awaited on Death Penalty for Young Killers

A Texas high school student convicted of a double murder waits on death row as the Supreme Court weighs the constitutionality of the juvenile death penalty. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:56 PM

Stanford study shows hypnosis helps kids undergoing difficult procedure

Stanford researchers have found that hypnosis lessened distress in young patients who must undergo painful annual exams called voiding cystourethography, or VCUG. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:49 PM

Mayo Clinic study suggests no link between autism and immunizations

Over the past 20 years, there has been speculation about a connection between immunizations and an increase in autism. However, a study by Mayo Clinic researchers published in the January issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine suggests the increase may be due to improved awareness, changes in diagnostic criteria and availability of services, not environmental factors or immunizations. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:49 PM

Environmental tobacco smoke linked to reading, math, logic and reasoning declines in children

A new Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center study shows that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, even at extremely low levels, is associated with decreases in certain cognitive skills, including reading, math, and logic and reasoning, in children and adolescents. Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:48 PM

Good Parent-Doctor Relationships May Improve Advice Parents Receive About Keeping Their Children Safe From Injury; Parents More Likely to Follow Advice If They Trust Their Children's Doctors

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 11:48 PM

January 3, 2005

Interactive Online Tool Provides Key Data On Medicare Advantage Plans

The Kaiser Family Foundation has releases a new online resource with current and historical national, state, and local data about Medicare HMOs and other Medicare Advantage plans, developed in conjunction with Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:41 AM

Kevin's Law: New Year Brings New Hope for Mentally Ill; New Legislation Significantly Improves Michigan's Mental Health Treatment Law

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has significantly reformed Michigan's mental illness treatment law by signing Kevin's Law (SB 683-86). Cosponsors Sens. Tom George (R, 20th District) and Virg Bernero (D, 23rd District) battled for three years to better help those who ... Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 10:00 AM

15-year study shows strong link between fast food, obesity and insulin resistance

Researchers have shown a correlation between fast food, weight gain, and insulin resistance in what appears to be the first long-term study on this subject. The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study by Mark Pereira, Ph.D., assistant professor in epidemiology, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, and David Ludwig, M.D., Ph.D., Children's Hospital Boston, reported that fast food increases the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. NIH/National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, NIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Charles H. Hood Foundation Read more from this post.

Posted by Michael at 9:57 AM

National Press Conference on Poverty in America to Be Held for the First Time in Los Angeles Jan. 11