Urban Institute Releases Report on Children and the Federal Budget

In “Kids’ Share 2007: How Children Fare in the Federal Budget”, the Urban Institute examines federal spending on children over 100 major federal programs, including tax credits and exemptions, from 1960 to 2006 and uses these historical trends to make projections through 2017. Children’s spending has declined almost 5% as a share of federal domestic spending, while spending on adult entitlement programs has nearly quadrupled.  Overall, the trends reveal that children are a diminishing national priority. To read the full report, go to: http://www.urban.org/publications/411432.html.

Advocacy and Policy Change

Advocacy that influences or informs public policy has the potential to achieve large-scale results for individuals, families, and communities. Consequently, there is much interest in understanding how to make advocacy and policy change efforts more effective. While previously relegated as “too hard to measure,” advocacy evaluation has become a burgeoning field. This 32-page issue of “The Evaluation Exchange” helps to build this new field by defining the developments that are shaping it and showing how enterprising evaluators, nonprofits, and funders are tackling the advocacy evaluation challenge. For more information or to read the full report, go to: www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/eval/issue34.

Lobbying from the Perspective of a Staffer: What Works and What Doesn't!

Research shows lobbying is essential to effectively advocate for the issues that matter to your organization. We recognize that lobbying can be a daunting task, especially for those with limited or no legislative experience. That's why NPAction is providing you with lobbying advice from the perspective of someone who has been lobbied: a former state legislative staffer. While there is no one way to communicate with legislators, there are best practices that have proven to get results. See what works, what doesn't, and how you can most effectively lobby your legislators. For more information, go to: http://www.npaction.org/article/articleview/741/1/228.

Take Action on the Senate Home Visitation Legislation

Please ask your Senators to cosponsor the Education Begins at Home Act (EBAH, S. 667), recently reintroduced in the Senate by Senators Kit Bond (R-MO) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY). EBAH would establish the first dedicated federal funding stream to support parents with newborns and young children through quality, voluntary home visitation. If enacted, EBAH would extend to a broad range of families the opportunity to benefit from home visiting programs like Healthy Families America. Making quality home visitation programs more widely available in all communities is one of Prevent Child Abuse America’s top priorities. For more information, go to: http://member.preventchildabuse.org/site/PageServer?pagename=adv_edu_home_splash.

10 Ingredients for Sustainability

Because change often happens slowly, achieving organizational sustainability is critical to seeing results. The institute for Conservation Leadership offers ten “ingredients” nonprofits should seek to ensure sustainability: having a compelling mission, committed volunteers, and high visibility in the community, to name a few. Though originally targeted to the conservation community, the ideas in this article are universal to all nonprofits. For more information, go to: http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/LandingPage.aspx?id=121134&p=1.

GRANT OPPORTUNITY: Mattel Offers Grants for Programs Serving Children in Need

Mattel and the Mattel Children’s Foundation have announced the third year of the company’s Domestic Grantmaking Program. Through the program, U.S. charitable organizations that can demonstrate they directly serve children in need may be eligible for one-year grants of $5,000 to $20,000 each. Funds may be applied to programs or general operating costs. Two types of grants will be considered: 1) program-specific grants for the launch of new programs or the expansion of existing programs; and 2) core operating support. Grant deadline, June 15^th. Visit the Mattel Web site for program guidelines, an eligibility quiz, and an online application form, at: http://www.mattel.com/.

GRANT OPPORTUNITY: Target Invites Applications for Local Store Grants Program

Target is accepting applications from organizations in communities where the company does business for its Local Store Grants program. Grant applications are accepted from nonprofit programs that impact any of the following areas: arts; early childhood reading; and family violence prevention. Family violence prevention grants support programs that strengthen families by preventing or reducing the cycle of family violence. Applicant organizations must be located in communities where Target does business and must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a school, library, or public agency. The average grant amount is between $1,000 and $3,000. To learn more and apply online, visit the Target Web site, at: http://www.target.com/.

Free Stuff!

Small and growing nonprofits are always looking to save money by finding donated, or low-cost, computers, software, phone service, furniture, etc. The Faith and Service Technical Education Network (FASTEN) has gathered information about free and low-cost items that nonprofits may be able to get through a variety of organizations and associations. To view the list of organizations and the services they provide to nonprofits, please visit the FASTEN Web site at: http://www.fastennetwork.org/Display.asp?Page=FreeStuff.

ParentHelp123.org

Check out this exciting new web tool for Washington Families. Using the Benefit Finder, families can learn if they may be eligible for free and low-cost health insurance and food assistance, and then complete their program applications on-line. For more information or to view the site, go to: http://www.parenthelp123.org/.

GRANT OPPORTUNITY: 2007 AT&T Excelerator Grant Program

The 2007 AT&T Excelerator grant program will provide $9 million in competitive technology grants to help local nonprofit organizations integrate technology into their operations and community outreach. AT&T Excelerator helps nonprofit organizations better serve their communities by improving technology resources — including hardware, software and networking tools. These grants also fund resources, such as Internet access and computer training, to assist organizations with various programs, many aimed to increase educational learning and job skills development. AT&T Excelerator addresses a wide variety of community needs in four main program areas — Education, Community Development, Health and Human Services, and Arts and Culture. AT&T Excelerator grants to individual organizations range from $2,500 to $25,000 and are one year in length. Collaborations by two or more organizations will be considered for grants up to $50,000 for one year. Applications are due May 4^th. For more information or to apply, go to: http://www.att.com/gen/corporate-citizenship?pid=7745.

In Puget Sound: Free Office Furniture for 503(c) Organization

A Tacoma area business would like to donate some used office furniture to a non-profit 503(c) organization. They have these items available, and more: conference room table and chairs; office desks and chairs; reception area chairs. If you are interested call: Rosalie Ivanich at 253-627-3262.

Evaluating Home Visitation Programs

The report “Home Visitation: Assessing Progress, Managing Expectations” by Deborah Daro, discusses how home visitation programs have been used in many States and communities to provide support and services to families with infants and young children as a means to prevent child abuse and neglect. This new study, produced by Chapin Hall Center for Children and the Ounce of Prevention Fund, reviews the evolution of home visitation programs and research evaluating their efficacy. The report examines improvements in home visitation programs and outlines reasonable expectations for these programs in the future. Longitudinal studies of home visitation programs have documented many positive impacts and contributed to a greater understanding of how to make these programs work better. For example, some factors associated with better outcomes include enrolling mothers during pregnancy, using nurses for the visitation, and partnering with other interventions. As these programs grow in popularity, there are several steps professionals can take to optimize outcomes: manage expectations; look beyond individual programs to systemic change; and make connections with other services. For more information or to read the full report, go to: www.chapinhall.org/article_abstract.aspx?ar=1438&L2=61&L3=129.

Program Model Highlight: Promoting First Relationships

Brookings Institution Suggests Increase in Federal Funding to Support Children

The Budgeting for National Priorities project at the Brookings Institution has released the latest in a series of papers on budget choices that reviews the cost-benefit evidence on federal funding for children.  “Cost-Effective Investments in Children” identifies areas in which research reveals positive outcomes and strong cost-benefit evidence to warrant an increase in federal funding for children, including nurse home-visiting programs that promote prenatal care and the healthy development of infants and toddlers, and high-quality early childhood education for children. For more information, go to: http://www3.brookings.edu/views/papers/200701isaacs.pdf.

Governor Gregoire Introduces Free State Prescription Drug Discount Card

Governor Chris Gregoire has introduced a new, state-sponsored prescription drug discount card that will save Washingtonians an average of 20% on brand-name drugs and 60% on generic drugs. The card will be available to all Washington residents, regardless of age or income. The Washington Prescription Drug Program (WPDP) is a new prescription drug discount program created by the Legislature at the request of Governor Gregoire. It is open to all Washington residents who do not have prescription drug insurance coverage or whose insurance does not cover all their prescription drug needs. There are no other eligibility requirements or fees required for membership in the WPDP. The Washington Prescription Drug Program card is available now. Enrollment forms are available on-line at http://www.rx.wa.gov/ or by calling 1-800-913-4146. The program is administered by ODS, an Oregon-based pharmacy benefits management company. Mail order and specialty pharmacy services are also available through the program.

Fewer Employers Offer Health Coverage to Low-Income Parents, Study Finds

In the last decade, employers' offers of health insurance to parents with lower incomes have fallen three times as fast as offers to parents who earn more, a new study by the State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota finds. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the report: “Whose Kids Are Covered? A State-By-State Look at Uninsured Children” found that only 47 percent of parents in families earning less than $40,000 a year are offered health insurance through their employer — a 9 percent drop since 1997. Meanwhile, offers of health insurance to parents in families earning $80,000 or more have held steady at about 78 percent. To read the full report, go to: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10006637/story.

Partners for Children

There is a new public partnership in Washington to improve outcomes for children and families involved in the child welfare system. It is a partnership between the University of Washington, School of Social Work; DSHS Children’s Administration; and private donors. For more information, go to: http://www.partnersforourchildren.org/.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month – April

Visit the 2007 National Child Abuse Prevention Month website for resources and strategies on engaging communities and supporting families. The site features “Promoting Healthy Families in Your Community: 2007 Resource Packet”, a guide for service providers on strengthening families by promoting key protective factors that prevent abuse. For more information on Prevention Month, the 2007 Resource Packet, or many other free materials, go to: www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth.

Child Care Symposium

May 2^nd, 7 pm, Kane Hall

Cathryn Booth-LaForce, an internationally-recognized expert on the effects of child care on children’s development, will be a featured speaker in the Provost’s Distinguished Lecture Series honoring prominent professors from the University of Washington. In a talk entitled Children in Daycare: Science, the Media and Public Opinion, she will discuss the long-debated effects of child care on social and emotional development, separating the science-based evidence from media reports and public opinion. Although the talk is free, registration is required. Please call 206-543-0540 or register online at http://www.uwalum.com/.

National Volunteer Week, April 15^th through the 21^st

National Volunteer Week is about thanking one of America’s most valuable assets – our volunteers – and calling the public’s attention to all that they do to improve our communities. National Volunteer Week reflects the power that volunteers have to inspire by example. Volunteers both encourage those they help and motivate others to serve! Making volunteers a central part of your organization is a great way to work at successful retention and this is a wonderful time to start, on National Volunteer Week. For more information on National Volunteer Week and recognition ideas, visit: www.pointsoflight.org/programs/seasons/nvw/recognize.cfm.

4^th Annual Voices of Children Contest

Tell us what living with grandparent, aunt, uncle or other relative has meant to you! “Voices of Children Raised by Grandparents and Other Relatives” is a contest for children in Washington State who are being raised now or in the past by a relative other than their parents. The contest honors both the children and the more than 35,000 relatives in Washington State who are raising them. Write a poem, short essay, or draw a picture that describes how living with a relative (such as a grandparent, aunt, or uncle) has made a positive difference in your life. Entries will be judged in three age categories 5-7 year olds, 8-12 year olds, and 13-19 year olds. The first 200 entries will receive special gifts. The top two entries in each age division will receive $100 from Twin County Credit Union and more! All entries must be submitted or postmarked by April 30, 2007. If you have questions, please call Family Education and Support Services at 1-877-813-2828 or e-mail Carrie Stringer at OlympiaParentEd@aol.com.