CFK Update: May 6, 2010

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) -- Focusing on the Whole Child?
Reauthorization of the ESEA, the federal government's major education bill, is underway! On April 22, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on using the act for "Meeting the Needs of the Whole Student."

Participants -- including the Harlem Children Zone's Geoffrey Canada and the Forum for Youth Investment's Karen Pittman -- testified about the importance of the bill to focus not only on academics, but also the "insulating family and community supports that will allow this legislation to truly be an Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as opposed to merely an Elementary and Secondary Schools Act," as Karen Pittman said.

On April 21, the House Committee on Education and Labor held its first hearing on the reauthorization of JJDPA; the Senate Judiciary Committee has already passed its reauthorization bill. Groups like the National Campaign for Youth Justice say this process offers an opportunity to better "protect children from the dangers of adult jails, improve safety for youth in custody, and increase fairness by requiring states to take steps to reduce racial and ethnic disparities."

In Brief:

Child Nutrition. The Senate Agriculture Committee reported out a child nutrition bill that fell short of the President's request for $10 billion over 10 years. ZERO TO THREE reports that Committee Chair Blanch Lincoln is committed to finding funds to boost the total, but that further action is uncertain.

Toxic Substances Control Act. Reform legislation has been introduced in Congress "that could revolutionize what we know about chemicals, and give EPA and consumers powerful new tools to protect our children's health," says First Focus. Tune in for a May 12 First Focus webinar on the existing law, proposed changes and how advocates can urge Congress to reduce the toll of chemicals on children's health. RSVP required.

Medicaid in the States. Families USA reports that many states facing budget crises could start to make Medicaid cuts. The enhanced federal matching rate for Medicaid (FMAP), originally enacted through the stimulus bill, expires December 31, 2010. A bill to extend the increased FMAP until June 30, 2011 has passed the Senate but is stalled in the House. Families USA has the details.

These are just a few of the federal policies we're tracking. What are you working on? Let us know.

You Don't Know Me Until Now
Place, identity and culture rule in this collection of writing and media from middle school Latino/a students in Austin, Los Angeles and Oakland. Brought together by What Kids Can Do and the National Council of La Raza as part of a service-learning project, these young authors fight stereotypes, share what makes them who they are, explore their communities and imagine some facets of the world they want to help create.

A round-up of recent public opinion surveys of young people (with thanks to Nalini at the Forum for Youth Investment for identifying several of these).

Can I Get a Little Advice Here? (PDF)
A new poll by Public Agenda surveyed young adults age 22 through 30 on their experience with high school guidance counselors, who can trump even families when it comes to supporting students in their transition to adulthood. One in five surveyed said they delayed going to college as a result of bad counseling; nearly three-quarters said getting advice on a range of school and job training programs would have been extremely helpful.

Aging Out of Foster Care
In the latest findings from the Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth, only one-quarter of study participants say they felt prepared when they exited foster care. These young people (now in their mid-20s), wish they had better access to training and assistance, particularly in developing life skills and finding employment and housing.

Pushed out of College by Work
Another Public Agenda survey finds that six in 10 young people say they dropped out of postsecondary education because they could not effectively balance school and work. Although access to basic supports like housing and income are crucial, young people themselves identify access to guidance and counseling as one of the top supports they need.

Discrimination Linked to Depression Among Minority Kids
A new survey of 277 minority children suggests that those who experience discrimination are more susceptible to depression. The study analyzed the relationship between discrimination, depression and self-esteem and found that 88 percent of minority children reported at least one experience with racism.