CFK Weekly—Apr. 7, 2003
We encourage distribution of this information! If reprinting in whole or part, please attribute it to Connect for Kids (www.connectforkids.org).
NEW ON CONNECT FOR KIDS
**The Essence of an Improving School
**Should Schools Serve Free Breakfast to All Children in Low-Income Areas?
**More Help With the Healing
BUDGET NEWS
**The Federal Budget and Tax Cuts Still Contentious
**Citizens Toolkit
HELP FOR PARENTS
**AAP Guide to Toilet Training
**Relationship Between Age at Initiation of Toilet Training and Duration
**Discipline: The Brazelton Way
**Go Directly to the Principal!
KEEP THEM OUT OF HARM'S WAY
**Future of Children: Health Insurance for All
**In Radiation Disasters, Children Are Especially Vulnerable
**CDC Information on SARS
**Are 'Accidental' Gun Deaths as Rare as They Seem?
**Parents' Resource Center: Learn Now and Act Now
**"Too Small for a Seatbelt": Booster Seat Use
**Love Them. Protect Them. Immunize Them.
TREATMENT FOR TEENS
**Treatment, Services and Intervention Programs for Child Delinquents
**Receipt of Psychological or Emotional Counseling by Suicidal Adolescents
**Teen Pregnancy: Policy's Role in Prevention
TAKING ACTION IN YOUR COMMUNITY
**Teacher Appreciation Week in May
**Getting Online 2.0:
**Cities and Towns Commit to Early Childhood Plans
**RESULTS Conference Call -- April 12
HUNGER AND NUTRITION
**Many Immigrants Win Back Right to Food Stamps
**Resources for Outreach on Food Stamps
**Feeding Low-Income Children When School Is Out--The Summer Food Service Program:
Final Report
**Bake, Sell -- and Help Millions of Hungry Kids!
**Getting Rid of Junk Food in Your Child's School
**Concern about Rickets
**Connect for Kids Celebrates Hunger Awareness Month
TOOLS FOR ADVOCATES
**A Child Advocate's Guide to Federal Early Care and Education Policy Produced
by the National
**Using the Right Words Gets the Message to Opinion Leaders About Helping Low-Income
Families
**Americans Support Early Learning But Fear Taking Public Money from K-12 Education
**"Money Put Towards Kids Gets Payoff": Op-Ed
PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT
**Child Maltreatment 2001 -- New Stats
**2003 Child Abuse Prevention Community Resource Kit
**"Foster Care Today"
**Problems in Recruiting and Retaining Child Welfare Professionals
**Wanted: Foster Care Stories
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
**Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Key Affirmative Action Case
**Affirmative Action for Women
**Harvard Civil Rights Project Tracks the Arguments
**Attitudes and Affirmative Action
IMPROVING INSTRUCTION
**Beyond Islands of Excellence
**A Man's Place? As Head of the Class
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
**State Early Childhood Policy Leadership Forum
**Children's Defense Fund Emerging Leaders
**Character Education Partnership Seeks Presentations for 2003 Forum
REPORTS IN BRIEF
**Weaving a Secure Web Around Education: A Guide to Technology
**EITC Reaches More Eligible Families Than TANF, Food Stamps
FOCUS ON THE STATES
**The State of Caring Index
**LIFT Web Site Offers State-Specific Data and Reports
**State-by-State News
NEW ON CONNECT FOR KIDS
**The Essence of an Improving School
What lies behind the steadily climbing test scores at New York City's I.S. 311,
the Essence School? Simple things that aren't easy to put together: a dedicated
principal, teachers who feel supported, a clear vision and a small student body.
Gary Stern takes a look at this rising star in Brooklyn.
http://www.connectforkids.org/resources3139/resources_show.htm?attrib_id=5016&doc_id=161757
**Should Schools Serve Free Breakfast to All Children in Low-Income
Areas?
Let us know how you weigh in on the issue -- vote using our interactive online
poll!
http://216.198.222.116/poll.cfm
**More Help With the Healing
As the war in Iraq and worries about terrorism at home continue to challenge
our children's resilience and sense of safety, experts and organizations across
the country are pulling together new resources on the Web to help. Here's our
updated list of some of the best.
http://www.connectforkids.org/benton_topics1544/benton_topics_show.htm?doc_id=161759
BUDGET NEWS
**The Federal Budget and Tax Cuts Still Contentious
As concerns mount over deficits, federal funding cuts and the costs of war,
Members of Congress appear to be rethinking the Bush Administration's tax cut
proposal. On April 1, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a non-binding
motion rejecting cuts of $215 billion in Medicare and Medicaid, and in school
lunch, student loan, agriculture and veterans' programs, and endorsed the Senate's
$396 billion reserve to protect Social Security. This vote is not binding but
is politically significant -- especially coming after the successful Senate
budget amendment to halve the tax cut to $350 billion.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24169-2003Apr3.html
**Citizens' Toolkit
For more information on the federal budget and tax cuts, check out the Connect
for Kids Citizens Toolkit.
http://www.connectforkids.org/benton_topics1544/benton_topics_show.htm?doc_id=159840
HELP FOR PARENTS
**AAP Guide to Toilet Training
Toilet training can be a challenging experience for parents and toddlers
alike, and no two children learn this skill the same way or at the same age.
This American Academy of Pediatrics guide combines the latest medical findings
with down-to-earth medical and parental advice to make toilet training a stepping
stone to building a child's self-esteem and independence. Cost: $13.95.
http://www.aap.org/bst/showdetl.cfm?&DID=15&Product_ID=3825&CatID=134
**Relationship Between Age at Initiation of Toilet Training and Duration
There is little point in beginning intensive toilet training before a child
reaches 27 months, according to a new study in Pediatrics. Researchers found
that if parents started earlier asking a child to use the toilet more than three
times a day, training took longer.
http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/abstract/111/4/810
**Discipline: The Brazelton Way
Discipline is most effective when parents approach it not as punishment, but
as a way to teach children to manage their behavior. Children who can count
on boundaries and rules, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton says, feel safe and loved. (The
book costs $9.95.)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0738207837/ref=pm_dp_ln_b_6/103-0791335-5180641?v=glance&s=books&vi=reviews
For Virginia residents: Brazelton and co-author Joshua Sparrow will be discussing discipline on April 10, 2003 at 7 p.m. at The Langley School, Soloman Athletic Center, 1411 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA. Call 703-356-1920 for information.
**Go Directly to the Principal!
During the National Association of Elementary School Principals' annual Principal's
Hotline, you can speak directly (and anonymously) with an elementary school
principal or school psychologist. Call 800-944-1601 on April 13, 14 and 15,
2003 -- services are available in English and Spanish for parents, grandparents
or anyone with a question about kids or education. Callers may also request
a free copy of "Fears Through the Years: A Parent's Guide to Helping Children
Cope."
http://www.naesp.org
KEEP THEM OUT OF HARM'S WAY
**Future of Children: Health Insurance for All
Released April 8, this Future of Children journal argues that existing
programs could solve the problem of uninsurance for most children -- if they
had more funding, better outreach, and simpler enrollment. Lawmakers are currently
debating the future of Medicaid; if programs are not improved, more than 900,000
children could lose coverage in the next few years. The journal includes new
data on the unused federal funds for Medicaid and the state Children's Health
Insurance Program, and state-by-state data and model programs.
http://www.futureofchildren.org
**In Radiation Disasters, Children Are Especially Vulnerable
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says children are especially vulnerable
to radiation disasters. Its new "Radiation Disasters and Children"
policy statement will be published in the June issue of Pediatrics, but is available
online now.
http://www.aap.org/policy/radiation.htm
**CDC Information on SARS
The Centers on Disease Control answers questions about the new, potentially
fatal respiratory virus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Scroll
down for recommendations for individuals, families and health care workers.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/faq.htm
**Are 'Accidental' Gun Deaths as Rare as They Seem?
Unintentional pediatric firearm deaths may be significantly underreported in
some urban areas, according to researchers who concluded that the incidence
of unintentional pediatric firearm deaths was six times higher in Miami-Dade
County than the medical examiner identified.
http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/abstract/111/4/741?etoc
**Parents' Resource Center: Learn Now and Act Now
The Parents' Resource Center has tips and information on child and adolescent
health issues and how parents can evaluate and improve health-related services
and programs in schools.
http://www.healthinschools.org/parents/
**"Too Small for a Seatbelt": Booster Seat Use
Booster seats are recommended for children who have outgrown their safety seats
but who weigh less than 80 pounds or are under 56 inches tall.
http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/abstract/111/4/e323?etoc
**Love Them. Protect Them. Immunize Them
This is the theme for this year's National Immunization Week, April 13-19, designed
to make parents and communities aware of the importance of fully immunizing
children before their second birthday.
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/niiw/default.htm
TREATMENT FOR TEENS
**Treatment, Services and Intervention Programs for Child Delinquents
Youth who engage in delinquent behaviors early are more likely to become
serious, chronic and violent offenders in adolescence -- but interventions are
more likely to succeed with younger youth, according to this Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention report.
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/pubs/new.html
**Receipt of Psychological or Emotional Counseling by Suicidal Adolescents
In 1999, 19 percent of high school students reported seriously considering suicide
in the past year. A new Pediatrics study notes that counseling services, which
are vital, are available to fewer than one-third of suicidal teens. Those who
had made a suicide attempt were almost twice as likely to receive access to
counseling as those who had only considered suicide.
http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/abstract/111/4/e388?etoc
**Teen Pregnancy: Policy's Role in Prevention
The Center for Health Improvement summarizes what works in preventing teen pregnancy:
education, access to contraceptives and health care, and youth development programs
that enhance opportunities and options for the future. Sixty percent of teens
are sexually active by age 18. Sexuality education programs that include information
about both abstinence and contraception can delay sex or reduce the frequency
and number of sexual partners, and increase the use of condoms.
http://www.centerforhealthimprovement.org/pdf/TEEN_BRF1.pdf
TAKING ACTION IN YOUR COMMUNITY
**Teacher Appreciation Week in May
Celebrating the work of teachers takes some planning. The National PTA says
it's not too early to begin planning proclamations, publicity and events.
http://www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/teacher/index.asp
**Getting Online 2.0:
Without high-speed, broadband telecommunications, small communities cannot compete
for important sources of economic development. This National Center for Small
Communities guide provides information to help small and rural communities bridge
the digital divide -- from launching effective local government Web sites to
promoting public access to computers and the Internet. Single copies are $19.95,
but bulk orders of 80 or more are $1.50 per copy.
http://www.natat.org/ncsc/NewResources.htm
**Cities and Towns Commit to Early Childhood Plans
In early March, John DeStefano, president of the National League of Cities (NLC),
issued a challenge to cities and towns to develop multi-year early childhood
plans for their communities. Over 70 cities have made the commitment so far.
NLC's Institute for Youth, Education, and Families will offer participating
"challenge" cities support in designing their plans. Contact Kirsta Millar at
millar@nlc.org or in Washington, DC, at
202-626-3004.
http://www.nlc.org/nlc_org/site/newsroom/nations_cities_weekly/display.cfm?id=B8CF1506-0D65-4902-A24669DB0A7A9205
**RESULTS Conference Call -- April 12
The anti-poverty group RESULTS reports that the Senate rejected budget amendments
to increase Head Start funding, after school care funding and child care funding.
For up-to-date information about federal budget negotiations, join the group's
National Conference Call on April 12.
http://www.results.org
HUNGER AND NUTRITION
**Many Immigrants Win Back Right to Food Stamps
The 2002 Farm Bill restored food stamp eligibility to many legal immigrant
families. Beginning April 1, 2003, families who have lived in the United States
for five years as qualified aliens will again be eligible for food stamp benefits.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is conducting outreach about these changes.
http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/03/0099.htm
**Resources for Outreach on Food Stamps
The Food Research and Action Center has food stamp outreach materials in several
languages.
http://www.frac.org/html/news/FSPoutreach.htm
**Feeding Low-Income Children When School Is Out -- The Summer Food
Service Program: Final Report
The first comprehensive study of the Summer Food Service Program since 1986
has found that more than 4,000 local sponsors provided about 130 million meals
at more than 35,000 feeding sites in 2001. The 2.1 million children served each
day in July 2001 represented about 14 percent of the number who received free
or reduced-price school meals each day during the previous school year. On average,
summer meals provided the recommended levels of key nutrients -- but breakfasts
were slightly lower in food energy than recommended, and lunches were higher
in fat.
http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/efan03001/
**Bake, Sell -- and Help Millions of Hungry Kids!
Registration begins April 1 for the Great American Bake Sale, a Share Our Strength
fundraiser event to help anti-hunger organizations across the country. Of the
funds distributed, 75 percent will be used in communities and states where funds
are raised, 20 percent will fund programs in high-needs areas, and 5 percent
will fund advocacy efforts.
http://www.greatamericanbakesale.org
**Getting Rid of Junk Food in Your Child's School
Parents at Aptos Middle School in San Francisco are claiming victory in eliminating
junk food from the school's snack bar in a pilot project that they claim has
resulted in healthier kids, better student behavior, less litter, more nutritional
know-how among the students and higher sales for the snack bar vending machines.
They share their strategies in this step-by-step guide.
http://pasaorg.tripod.com/
**Concern about Rickets
Public health officials say infants can be vitamin D deficient long before they're
diagnosed with rickets, a bone softening disease. Exclusively breastfed infants
are at increased risk, but pediatricians recommend vitamin D supplements instead
of curtailing breastfeeding.
http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/abstract/111/4/908
TOOLS FOR ADVOCATES
**A Child Advocate's Guide to Federal Early Care and Education Policy
Produced by the National Association of Child Advocates, this guide
presents information on the history and key features of the six major (and several
smaller) federal early childhood education funding sources.
http://www.childadvocacy.org/ECEFederalGuide.pdf
**Using the Right Words Gets the Message to Opinion Leaders About Helping
Low-Income Families
To persuade lawmakers to improve policies and programs for low-income families,
try talking about helping families help themselves and telling them that most
low-income children have at least one working parent or that there are more
than 11 million U.S. kids in poverty, suggests researcher Mark Melman. Based
on his polling for the National Center on Children in Poverty, he says the most
convincing argument for legislators was: "Investing in programs to help
parents build work skills and increase their earnings is a good way to help
low-income families provide for their children." The least convincing messages
talked about shared prosperity, fairness or equal opportunity.
http://www.nccp.org/news/win03/win03_02.html
**Americans Support Early Learning But Fear Taking Public Money from
K-12 Education
A June 2002 survey from the National Center on Children in Poverty confirms
that the public understands the importance of early learning, but support for
these programs drops if they take funds from grade-school programs. One-third
of Americans believe a child's capacity to learn develops before age six but
think elementary school is the most important public investment; 64 percent
of those who support funding for early education say elementary school is the
best investment --- advocates should target both groups with the message that
early education programs improve elementary school experiences.
http://www.nccp.org/news/win03/win03_03.html
**"Money Put Towards Kids Gets Payoff": Op-Ed
Janice Gruendel of Connecticut Voices for Children uses humor to get her point
across about hypocrisy and counterproductive cutbacks in early learning and
child care programs in Gov. Rowland's proposed state budget. While the data
may differ in other states, the arguments can help advocates craft and publish
similar op-eds in their states.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=7589684&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=7573&rfi=8
PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT
**Child Maltreatment 2001 -- New Stats
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children
and Families says an estimated 903,000 children were victims of abuse or neglect
in 2001. That's down by about 19 percent from 1993, but still too high, advocates
say.
http://www.i-lawpublishing.net/news/ChildMaltreatment2001.pdf
**2003 Child Abuse Prevention Community Resource Kit
April 2003 marks the 20thanniversary of the first Child Abuse Prevention Month.
This packet and poster were designed to help promote child abuse prevention
activities. Free copies are available from the National Clearinghouse on Child
Abuse and Neglect Information (800-394-3366; prevention@calib.com).
http://www.calib.com/nccanch/prevention
**"Foster Care Today"
To understand where the foster care/child welfare system is going, it's helpful
to know where it has been. "Foster Care Today" offers an historical overview
to put current policies and debates in context.
http://www.casey.org/cnc/policy_issues/foster_care_today_info.htm
**Problems in Recruiting and Retaining Child Welfare Professionals
With more than 800,000 children estimated to spend some time in foster care
each year, the federal government allocates approximately $7 billion annually
to states to investigate abuse and neglect, place children in safe homes, and
deliver services to keep families together. But low salaries, high caseloads
and excessive paperwork make recruiting and retaining good staff difficult,
according to the General Accounting Office, which recommends that HHS take action.
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d03357.pdf
**Wanted: Foster Care Stories
Peter and Annie Karp are funding "If Gentleness Ruled the World," a book
chronicling success stories to encourage families to foster and adopt. If you
have a foster care story to share, contact Kim J. Berrian (kberrian@aol.com;
866-602-0372). Professional writers are available to help with the stories.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
**Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Key Affirmative Action Case
On April 1, 2003 --- 25 years after outlawing racial quotas in higher
education -- the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether race can be one
of the factors colleges use to achieve diversity in admissions. Education Week
reports on the debate.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=29affirm_web.h22
**Affirmative Action for Women
While the Supreme Court case is centered on race, the National Partnership for
Women and Families argues that affirmative action has been important for women
and mothers as well.
http://www.nationalpartnership.org/content.cfm?L1=3&L2=4.0&NewsItemID=531
**Harvard Civil Rights Project Tracks the Arguments
The Harvard Civil Rights Project has researched increasing segregation in the
nation's schools. They are posting news coverage and competing arguments in
the affirmative action debate.
http://www.civilrightsproject.harvard.edu
**Attitudes and Affirmative Action
Public Agenda has fast-facts and summaries of public opinion on higher education,
including the increasing cost of college, affirmative action, and new calls
for greater accountability. http://www.publicagenda.org/issues/frontdoor.cfm?issue_type=higher_education
IMPROVING INSTRUCTION
**Beyond Islands of Excellence
What can districts do to improve instruction and achievement in all
schools? This Learning First Alliance report outlines the lessons learned from
five districts and lists practical steps, including implementing a system-wide
approach that specifies expected outcomes, content, data to inform the work,
and supports required.
http://www.learningfirst.org/bie/bie.html
**A Man's Place? As Head of the Class
Some parents may view men who teach young children with some suspicion, but
many educators say the slowly growing number of male teachers in elementary
schools is good for boys and for education.
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/5520930.htm
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
**State Early Childhood Policy Leadership Forum
Policy and program leaders work to strengthen early childhood initiatives,
share their struggles and successes, and develop new strategies for system change
in this forum, sponsored by the Zero To Three Policy Center and the National
Governors Association Center for Best Practices. The application deadline is
May 15, 2003.
http://www.zerotothree.org/policy/ecforum.html
**Children's Defense Fund Emerging Leaders
The Emerging Leaders Project incorporates training, networking, and technical
assistance to help advocates become leaders and agents of change in child care
and early education. The deadline is April 15.
http://www.childrensdefense.org/pdf/emerging_leaders_2003.pdf
**Character Education Partnership Seeks Presentations for 2003 Forum
This national conference in Arlington, Virginia, in October will focus on initiatives
using character education, social and emotional learning, safe and drug free
schools, service learning, after-school enrichment programs, and civic education.
The deadline for submitting presentations is April 15.
http://www.character.org/?file=proposal
REPORTS IN BRIEF
**Weaving a Secure Web Around Education: A Guide to Technology Standards
and Security
This National Center for Education Statistics' National Forum on Education Statistics
publication provides recommendations for effective, standardized Web sites.
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2003381
**EITC Reaches More Eligible Families Than TANF, Food Stamps
When you think of public assistance, you might think of welfare or food stamps,
but this Urban Institute reports finds that the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
is the most widespread safety net program for low-income families.
http://www.urban.org/Template.cfm?Section=Home&NavMenuID=73&Template=/TaggedContent/NewReports.cfm&PublicationID=8326
FOCUS ON THE STATES
**The State of Caring Index
This annual United Way survey on the "state of caring" looks
at measures of economic and financial well-being, education, health, volunteerism,
civic engagement, safety, and protection of the natural environment. Minnesota,
New Hampshire and Connecticut were the three "most caring" states while Arizona,
New Mexico and Louisiana were at the bottom of the list.
http://national.unitedway.org/stateofcaring
**LIFT Web Site Offers State-Specific Data and Reports
In the United States, 27 million children live in families earning too little
to afford adequate nutrition, child care, health care and housing. The Let's
Invest in Families Today Web site combines state-by-state research and communications
expertise to help all of us fight for better policies for American families.
http://www.lift.nccp.org
**State-by-State News
Delaware
The Education Commission of the States reports that the Delaware House of Representatives
has passed a bill (SB 15) that forbids spanking, paddling and other forms of
corporal punishment in the state's public schools. Delaware law currently leaves
the decision on whether to allow corporal punishment to local school districts.
(Scroll down to SB 15.)
http://www.legis.state.de.us/LIS/LIS142.NSF/vwLegislation
District of Columbia
Washington, D.C.'s summer food program served 40 percent fewer children in 2002
than in 2001 because of logistical problems, poor planning and inconsistent
leadership, according to "Picking Up the Pieces." The city lost $580,477 in
federal funds because of the drop in participation.
http://www.frac.org/pdf/PickingUpthePieces.PDF
Illinois
Three years ago, Illinois adopted an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to help
offset the disproportionate burden of state and local taxes borne by low-income,
working families. This credit helps 584,000 families with an average credit
of $75 and augments the larger federal EITC that has been cited as the nation's
most effective anti-poverty tool. But unlike the federal credit, the Illinois
EITC is not "refundable" -- available to those with incomes too low
to require paying taxes. The June reauthorization gives advocates an opportunity
to push for making the state EITC both permanent and refundable.
http://www.workwelfareandfamilies.org/home/dfd9712a78dfc6df6ba5dc71703313ec/eitc.html
Advocates are meeting April 9 to discuss the state budget and low-income families.
http://www.workwelfareandfamilies.org/home/dfd9712a78dfc6df6ba5dc71703313ec/4-9PM.html
Florida
Florida 4-H members can join the April 15 Hands Around the Old Capitol event,
where volunteers learn about the state government and talk with legislators.
http://4h.ifas.ufl.edu/newsandinfo/4HDay2003/4HUFDay2003.htm
Missouri
The St. Louis Regional Jobs Initiative is working to help unemployed and under-employed
workers find good jobs that offer family-supporting wages and benefits along
the city's light-rail system. http://www.aecf.org/initiatives/jobsinitiative/stlouis.htm
New York
If you want to know how to engage middle school students, why not ask them?
Here's a youth engagement toolkit developed by and for middle school students,
with step-by-step tools and tips to get youth input.
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/rscs/chaps/MiddleLevel/Youth/EYVC-MLE.html
Ohio
Citing recent spending cuts from the federal government, Governor Bob Taft proposed
eliminating $4.5 million from the state budget that goes to fund the Ohio Association
of Second Harvest Food Banks. The cut in funds represents one-fifth of the total
food distribution that the association makes to food pantries every year. Child
and family advocates oppose the move.
http://www.marionstar.com/news/stories/20030322/localnews/1232458.html
Oregon
According to the Oregon Center for Public Policy, maintaining an estate tax
"recognizes that extraordinary accumulations of wealth happen, in part, thanks
to the investments of the broader society, and [the tax] protects against the
ill effects of concentrations of wealth in the hands of a few. The Center has
issued a report on the issue and is organizing a citizen group to support retention
of the tax during upcoming budget negotiations.
http://www.ocpp.org/2003/es030311.htm
Rhode Island
All students in Pawtucket, Rhode Island schools will have access to free breakfast
under a pilot program approved by the School Committee, the result of a years-long
effort by the Rhode Island Campaign to Eliminate Childhood Poverty to introduce
the program in Pawtucket. See the article, "School Leaders Support Breakfast
Program."
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=7497244&BRD=1713&PAG=461&dept_id=24491
Tennessee
Cutbacks in TennCare, the state's health insurance program for low-income families,
are linked to more crowding in emergency rooms and increased pressures on public
and private hospitals, clinics and physicians designed to guarantee universal
access to at least some health care.
http://covertheuninsuredweek.org/news/index.php?NewsID=243
Virginia
The estate tax will remain in place in Virginia. In a very close vote, the General
Assembly voted to uphold Governor Warner's veto of the repeal, according to
the Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15513-2003Apr2.html
SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE
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editions, at
http://www.connectforkids.org//newsletter-url1571/newsletter-url.htm
PRIVACY POLICY
In an effort to better serve the subscribers of our electronic newsletters,
the Connect for Kids Weekly and Connections, periodically we may employ tracking
software that lets us know how subscribers move from the e-mail newsletter to
our Web site. The information we gather is strictly intended for internal evaluation
and will not be shared with any individual or organization.
http://www.connectforkids.org/information1537/information_show.htm?doc_id=9207
Stay in touch, everyone!
Jan Richter, advocacy director, and the Connect for Kids team
Jan@connectforkids.org
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