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Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:1750] KidsCampaigns Weekly
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The following is the latest edition of the KidsCampaigns Weekly newsletter.
Akeel H. Zaheer
National Center for Family Literacy
Email: azaheer@famlit.org
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KidsCampaigns Weekly
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Feel free to forward this information. Please attribute the source to
"KidsCampaigns (http://www.kidscampaigns.org/), published by the Benton
Foundation."
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KidsCampaigns Weekly--November 2, 1998
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New on KidsCampaigns (www.kidscampaigns.org)—ABC's of Advocacy
Vote with Kids in Mind on November 3
Government Can't Do Anything Right—Wrong!
Focus on the States
Last Minute Contributions Tell a Lot about a Candidate
What Do You Do When You Feel Mad?
What the Federal Budget Accomplishes for Kids
What Works: Integrating Basic Skills Training into Welfare-to-Work
Resources for KidsCampaigners
Follow-Up for Drug-Exposed Infants
KidsCampaigns Birth Announcement
Job Opening
Places to Go! Things to Do!
NEW ON KIDSCAMPAIGNS (www.kidscampaigns.org)—ABC'S OF ADVOCACY
Want to get involved in your community on behalf of kids, but don't know
where to start? Want to hold elected representatives accountable after this
election? Find out how everyday citizens are building a better world for
kids—and how you can too. KidsCampaigns writer Julee Newberger's ABC's of
Advocacy can give you a host of ideas, and the courage to take a step for
kids! Children's advocacy groups can use this section to inspire their
constituencies.
VOTE WITH KIDS IN MIND ON NOVEMBER 3
Kids can't vote, but kids have a stake in this election. Kids can't lobby,
but kids are affected by government decisions on education, welfare, health
care, and child care. So when you vote, vote with kids in mind. Take a
last minute look at how to decide who's for kids and who's just kidding in
KidsCampaigns' "Kids are an Election Issue"
(http://www.kidscampaigns.org/Hot/camp98/eleciss.php). There you will also
find Meg Bostrom's article on "Getting Past the Rhetoric" that helps you
translate campaign rhetoric into what it means for kids and families
(http://www.kidscampaigns.org/Hot/camp98/meg1.php).
GOVERNMENT CAN'T DO ANYTHING RIGHT—WRONG!
Ten government programs were just awarded the coveted Innovations in
American Government Awards, a program of the Ford Foundation and Harvard
University's Kennedy School of Government in partnership with the Council
for Excellence in Government (http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/innovations). One
of the winners, Smart Start, NORTH CAROLINA's comprehensive health and
social services program for preschoolers and their families, is featured in
KidsCampaigns in the Get Started section of the NORTH CAROLINA state page
(http://www.kidscampaigns.org/states/). Other winning programs benefiting
kids were the Edwin Gould Academy, a residential foster care facility in NEW
YORK and the Puente Project, preparing high school and community college
students for academic success in CALIFORNIA.
Find out about successful, innovative government programs serving kids that
were finalists, like Books to Grow in KANSAS, Building for the Future in
TENNESSEE, Classroom on Wheels in NEVADA, and the Southwest Washington
Child Care Consortium in the state of WASHINGTON at
http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/~innovat/98fin.htm.
FOCUS ON THE STATES
IOWA (515-280-9027), MISSOURI (cmc@jinx.umsl.edu), NEW HAMPSHIRE (Paula at
603-225-0900) and DELAWARE (Terry at 302-831-4966) are releasing their state
Kids Count Databooks in November. State Kids Count Databooks give county by
county data and rankings on outcome measures of well-being for kids,
including high school completion rates, low birthweight rates, and child
poverty rates.
The Department of Health and Human Services has been approving more states'
plans for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The latest
approvals went to MISSISSIPPI, PENNSYLVANIA, and VIRGINIA. Get a copy of
your state's CHIP plan online at http://www.hcfa.gov/init/statepln.htm. For
a run down on the status of health insurance coverage for kids in each
state, check out a new addition to the American Academy of Pediatric's
website —http://www.aap.org/member/factsnew.htm. The Academy has also
developed an outcome evaluation tool for CHIP programs, online in the What's
New section at http://www.aap.org.
"Some books have the information that you want and others don't. But you
can always go into a computer and get the articles you want." Boston,
MASSACHUSETTS is the first large urban school system in the nation to become
fully cyber-friendly, with a computer/student ratio of 1/10, wiring for
high-speed access, and teacher training in classroom computer use, according
to the Washington Post
(http://search.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1998-10/27/041l-102798-idx.h
tml).
Want to know how many new teachers are coming to your state via the federal
funding for class size reduction? Check out the list at
http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/10-1998/class.html.
MASSACHUSETTS and MINNESOTA have taken steps to improve teacher training.
In the face of a 60% failure rate among teacher candidates in the first
Massachusetts Teacher Test last April, Massachusetts is initiating "Creating
Tomorrow," a teacher improvement plan [http://www.mass.edu]. MINNESOTA and
eleven other states are mounting "Building a Presence for Sciene," a new
statewide initiative to train teachers in standards-based science education.
The School Breakfast Scorecard
[http://www.frac.org/html/news/breakfastscorecard98.html] from the Food
Research and Action Center (FRAC) reports a record participation in 1998,
topping 6 million kids for the first time. More kids are "starting the day
right" with breakfast at school with a record 68,000 schools participating
nationwide. States with the highest percentage of schools participating in
school breakfast and lunch programs were WEST VIRGINIA, SOUTH CAROLINA,
TEXAS, ARKANSAS, DELAWARE, WASHINGTON DC, NORTH CAROLINA, HAWAII, OREGON,
and LOUISIANA.
Several candidates for CONNECTICUT's General Assembly have signed a pledge
to work for a comprehensive kids' agenda if elected. Find the list of
signees at
http://members.xoom.com/FIRSTFORKIDS/THE%20FIRST%204%20KIDS%20PAC.htm.
KidsCampaigns now has 28 "state pages" posted--ALASKA, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA,
COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, GEORGIA, HAWAII, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, IOWA, KENTUCKY,
LOUISIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI,
NEW JERSEY, NORTH CAROLINA, OHIO, OKLAHOMA, PENNSYLVANIA, TEXAS, VERMONT,
WASHINGTON, WYOMING, and WASHINGTON, DC. Use your state page to find
state-specific information about kids, about campaigns for kids, and about
services for kids and families in your state. Post information in your
state's Bulletin Board or add your organization to your state's database (in
the Get Connected section). Find your state via the left hand bar on
KidsCampaigns, marked state-by-state.
LAST MINUTE CONTRIBUTIONS TELL A LOT ABOUT A CANDIDATE
With the help of the Internet, you can now access up-to-the-minute
information about who's giving last minute contributions to the candidates.
Often these contributions are ample and reflective of a candidates'
allegiances. You can find the data on the Federal Election Commission
website at http://www.fec.gov/1996/lastmin.htm.
So get informed, and get out and VOTE!
SEAT BELT SAFETY CAMPAIGN NEEDS YOU!
In 1997 320,000 kids were injured and over 2000 killed in motor vehicle
crashes—the leading cause of death to children aged 0 to 15. Download an
action packet for Operation ABC Mobilization: America Buckles Up Children
(http://www.nsc.org/partners/opabctop.htm), a nationally coordinated effort
by law enforcement to increase seat-belt use by high-visibility enforcement
of child passenger safety laws. Operation ABC needs "endorsements for
enforcement" and help with media outreach for the week of NOVEMBER 16.
Background information on child safety programs is posted on KidsCampaigns
at http://www.kidscampaigns.org/Hot/Early/safety.html.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU FEEL MAD?
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the producers of Mister Rogers'
Neighborhood have published three new FamilyCares brochures to help parents
with small children--What Do You Do With the Mad That You Feel?, "Helping
Your Child with Sharing," and "Life with a New Baby" are available for
purchase in bulk by calling 800-433-9016.
Channel that anger! If you get mad when your community lacks after-school
tutoring, child care options, or help for kids at risk, don't forget to take
a look at the ABC's of Advocacy. This new posting by KidsCampaigns writer
Julee Newberger gives you a guided tour of KidsCampaigns' resources and
ideas for advocating for kids, from every day acts to ideas and how-tos for
community projects, from the kitchen table to the negotiating table
(http://www.kidscampaigns.org/start.html).
WHAT THE FEDERAL BUDGET ACCOMPLISHES FOR KIDS
What does the FY 1999 federal budget do for kids and families? Both
Republicans and Democrats claim that the newly passed federal budget for FY
1999 is good for kids and families, but they differ on the details.
Democrats are pleased with the increased funding for more teachers to reduce
class sizes in elementary schools, welfare-to-work housing vouchers to help
people transition into self-sufficiency, and a $20 million in funding to
prevent lead poisoning. To view the accomplishments of the budget from the
Democrats' perspective, check out the White House website at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/WH/New/99Budget/budgaccomp.html.
Republicans are pleased with the anti-drug funding, local control features
built into the funding for new teachers, and protecting kids from Internet
pornography. To view the accomplishments of the budget bill from the
Republicans' perspective, check out the House Republican Conference website
at http://hillsource.house.gov/IssueFocus/TalkingPoints/TPMain/score.htm.
WHAT WORKS: INTEGRATING BASIC SKILLS TRAINING INTO WELFARE-TO-WORK
New welfare regulations emphasize job training. Literacy skills can play a
part in helping welfare recipients transition to work. "What Works:
Integrating Basic Skills Training into Welfare-to-Work" from the National
Institute for Literacy can help practitioners find out what is working well
in other programs and help those outside the family literacy field learn
about how to help welfare recipients improve their basic skills, an
important component for effective welfare-to-work programs. Call
800-228-8813 for your copy.
Find out about the 1996 welfare reform act and how it is affecting kids and
families via KidsCampaigns gateway to welfare reform information at
http://www.kidscampaigns.org/hot/welfare.html.
RESOURCES FOR KIDSCAMPAIGNERS
Are you tutoring kids in your local school? Need a breakdown of the steps
children need to master, from prekindergarten to third grade, so that they
end up being competent readers? Check out "Every Child a Reader" at
http://www.ciera.org/. You can preview it online, but to download a copy
you have to order it.
The cable TV industry has pledged to provide a free cable modem for high
speed Internet access to all consenting public libraries accessible by
cable. This is the latest commitment in the cable companies "Cable's High
Speed Education Connection," which has previously pledged to equip at least
one site in every consenting elementary and secondary school. Check with
your local library or PTA, or with the cable companies website to find out
how you can bring kids in your community closer to the information
superhighway.
FOLLOW-UP FOR DRUG-EXPOSED INFANTS
The October 23 issue of Science (http://www.sciencemag.org) reports on the
findings of follow-up research on school-age children prenatally exposed to
cocaine or crack. For many of these children, subtle IQ and language
development deficits require special education services, with a cost
estimated at $352 million a year nationwide. While the findings indicate
that cocaine and crack-exposed infants can succeed, they also emphasize the
cost benefits that could be derived from spending more dollars on drug
prevention efforts with young women of child-bearing age and early
identification and intervention with children most at risk.
For information on parental substance abuse and its impact on kids, log on
to the Take This Heart feature on KidsCampaigns, at
http://www.kidscampaigns.org/Hot/fostercare/index.html.
KIDSCAMPAIGNS BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
Judy Butler, KidsCampaigns' stalwart content manager, delivered a baby boy,
Steven Charles Lucas, on October 26. Steven joins the family of Judy, her
husband, Rich Lucas, and daughter, Jenny (whose baby photo is featured on
KidsCampaigns' Early Year feature at
http://www.kidscampaigns.org/Hot/earlyyears.html). Mother and son are doing
very well. Judy will be taking a leave from KidsCampaigns and plans to
return part-time in early 1999. You can find out more about us--who we are
and what we each do--at http://www.kidscampaigns.org/staff.html.
JOB OPENING
KidsCampaigns is still looking for an Editor and Content Manager. Log onto
http://www.kidscampaigns.org/aboutsite.html#jobs for details.
PLACES TO GO! THINGS TO DO!
The National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on the
Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(http://consensus.nih.gov) will be held in WASHINGTON, DC on NOVEMBER 16-18.
The American Center for Children's TV, the Goethe Institute, UNICEF, and
PRIX JEUNESSE are sponsoring KIDS TV: Around the World in a Day, NOVEMBER
18, in NEW YORK CITY. No charge, but advanced registration is mandatory.
Email David Kleeman at dkleeman@mcs.com for more information.
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention National
Conference (http://www.ncjrs.org/nconf98.htm) will take place DECEMBER
10-12, in WASHINGTON, DC.
The National Parent Network on Disabilities (NPND) is holding an Advocacy
Training (http://www.npnd.org/) on implementation and enforcement strategies
for the Individuals with Disablities Education Act (IDEA) JANUARY 26-27,
1999 in Alexandria, VIRGINIA.
The NeighborWorks Program offers Neighborhood Reinvestment Training
Institutes (http://www.nw.org/training/) around the country to train
community leaders and nonprofit Board members in community building
strategies and resources. Upcoming Institutes in 1999 include ATLANTA,
PHILADELPHIA, CHICAGO, NEW ORLEANS, and OAKLAND.
Cast your vote on Tuesday, everyone!
Jan Richter, KidsCampaigns Outreach Specialist
jan@benton.org
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About KidsCampaigns
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The KidsCampaigns Weekly is the electronic newsletter of KidsCampaigns
(http://www.kidscampaigns.org/), an action and information center for
citizens, businesses, and parents who want to make their communities work
for kids. The Benton Foundation works to realize the social benefits made
possible by the public interest use of communications.
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How to Subscribe
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