CFK Weekly - July 3, 2006

July 4th Edition

Editor’s Note: This week, we’re doing a bare-bones Weekly. We’re hoping you take the time you usually take to scan the Weekly to help us by taking our survey.

We’ll be back in full next Monday. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Ideas for Weekly content? E-mail Caitlin Johnson at weekly@connectforkids.org.

NEW ON CONNECTFORKIDS.ORG

A New Take On School-to-Career Connections: MUSE
It’s a question that pops out during a ride in the car, at the dinner table, through a recently-slammed door after a fight about finishing up homework: “What good is all this stuff I’m learning in school going to do me in the real world?” Programs that make a strong, direct connection between school learning and future career options can be powerfully motivating for students, even those who eventually choose a different path. Gayle Hargreaves reports on one such program that introduces teens to museum careers.

The Changing Face of Child Poverty
Child poverty is changing, as more low-income parents enter the workforce yet remain impoverished. The Urban Institute has a team of researchers investigating why work is no longer a ticket out of poverty, what that means for kids, and what kinds of programs might help. UI’s Gregory Acs, a senior research associate in the Income and Benefits Policy Center, offers this overview.

TAKE OUR QUICK SURVEY
This summer, Connect for Kids is doing a reality check: we want to hear from you about to best serve your needs. All we ask is a few minutes of your time to complete this survey. In return, we’re offering you an incentive – when you complete the survey, you can enter to win a $100 donation to the nonprofit of your choice (Ten of these prizes are available).

The survey includes questions about all of our services: the Web site, newsletters, conference calls, meetings and communications support. You will only have to answer questions about services that you have used. The survey takes between 5 and 10 minutes to complete.

KIDSCOUNT

The new Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book hit the streets last week. The major news is that three out of 10 child well-being indicators have worsened since 2000, and child poverty continues to rise: more than 13 million children were living in poverty in 2004 (1 million more than in 2000). The Data Book essay focuses on early childhood care and development programs – including the use of “family, friend, and neighbor care,” and recommendations to improve it. The interactive site allows you to filter the findings by topic area, state, and more.

NEW RULES HIT THE STREETS

New Welfare Regulations
The Department of Health and Human Services issued its new regulations for state Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs. Advocates are worried that in addition to increased work participation rate requirements, states will interpret the new regulations to mean participants can’t count some postsecondary education and training as work. CBPP has a press release and initial overview of the new rules.

Federal Student Loan Rates Increase
Students and graduates who didn’t consolidate federal student loans by June 30, 2006 face higher interest rates. New loan applications will carry higher interest rates as well.

Happy July 4th, everyone!
Caitlin Johnson, senior writer, and the Connect for Kids team.