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December 20, 2011 | Want to Make a Deal? Your Year-End Highlights...
It's that time of year again: while the news media focuses on year-end deals (and finger-pointing and "fails") in Washington, DC, it's also time to reflect on the past year and take a moment to energize ourselves for the year ahead. In this issue, we've taken stock of 2011 and shared some reader feedback. Next week, the Update will be on holiday hiatus but we'll be thinking of our staff favorites, which we'll share right after the New Year.
Looking ahead to 2012, SparkAction is joining with other organizations on a Kids 2012 campaign to move America's children into the spotlight - making sure that candidates who seek office answer questions from and about children and youth.
Take a moment to celebrate your hard work, everyone. Happy holidays!
Jan
Jan Richter, SparkAction Update editor emeritus
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We heart feedback. Email jan@sparkaction.org.
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| From You: Success Spotlight, 2011
Please keep sending us your stories, favorites and responses. We'll keep sharing them a few at a time with our online community.
Advocates Fight to Involve Kids in Family Court Hearings
A CBS News producer who used our resources for a story a few years ago said her interest in doing another story on involving foster children in court decisions about their own care was renewed by this report from New Jersey.
Success: Federal Funds to Scale Teen Pregnancy Prevention
The Office of Adolescent Health took a harder look at teen pregnancy prevention programs in 2010 and chose to invest two-thirds of $105 million to replicate evidence-based prevention programs, such as Wyman's Teen Outreach Program, Making Proud Choices, and Becoming a Responsible Teen.
Youth Organizing Success
A reader reported on youth activists' successful effort to defeat an 11 pm curfew proposed in Montgomery County, Maryland.
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Connect with SparkAction!
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| Washington, DC - End of the Year Deals, Or Not 
Congress Passes $1 Trillion Spending Bill
Business Week reports that Congress cut Pell grants by tightening eligibility and other requirements. The Race to the Top program was cut by 20%.
Federal Title I education funding stayed static, while LIHEAP heating aid to low-income families was cut by 25%, according to the Washington Post.
Senate Payroll Tax Cut Extension in Jeopardy
A last-minute decision in the House has put the payroll tax cut extension in question. Republicans say they really want a year-long extension. Democrats say House Republicans are walking away from a deal for a temporary extension that would give everyone time to negotiate a year-long tax cut, a goal that has eluded Congress all year.
Young Invincibles says the payroll tax cuts help 45 million young Americans pay their bills.
Tougher Restrictions on Mercury Polluters
This December the Obama Administration issued tougher restrictions on mercury and other power plant emissions, along with other environmental regulations. Learn more from NIH about the sources and hazards of mercury poisoning for kids.
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| Hard Times, Especially if You're Young 
Grim Outlook for a Young Generation
SparkAction's Tara James reports on how hard times are becoming the new normal for a whole generation of young Americans.
Many low-income Americans who have lost their homes to foreclosure and are living with friends could be eligible for more food stamp assistance, but they don't now to apply. Stateline reports.
NPR and the Kaiser Family Foundation polled people out of work for a year or more. Many said hard times are hard on their emotional well-being, their health, their marriages. But a quarter said unemployment had a positive effect on their relationships with their children!
The National Center on Family Homelessness finds that every year 1.6 million American children - one in 45 - are homeless, but many states have done no planning to support the growth and development of these vulnerable children.
The New York Times reports on how cuts in child care subsidies are making it harder for low-income parents to find
affordable child care.
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| Juvenile Justice - Where's the Justice? 
Juvenile-in-Justice Photographs
Imagine what it would be like to be locked up in a juvenile detention facility? Well, now you don't have to just imagine. With the help of Richard Ross' photographs, you can see for yourself.
Youth Detention Facilities Are Providing Inadequate Health Care
The American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Adolescence reports that many young people in the juvenile justice system don't receive the level of health care they need.
Over Half of Youth Leaving Illinois State Prisons Will Return
Reclaiming Futures blogs on a new Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission report that finds the state's juvenile justice system severely lacking in successful rehabilitation efforts.
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| Funding Alerts
Share Your Afterschool Successes & Enter to Win a Kindle Fire!
Deadline: January 18, 2012
Echoing Green Fellowships
Take the first step by the January 9, 2012 deadline.
Internship in U.S. Congress for Young Adults Who Were in Care
Deadline: January 6, 2012
"Best Intergenerational Community" Award
Deadline: January 31, 2012
>>> More opportunities, including funding opportunities are posted in the SparkAction Action Center.
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Caitlin Johnson and Thaddeus Ferber
SparkAction and the Forum for Youth Investment
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