Children and Youth
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The National Assembly is Getting Serious About Bullying.
Kudos to six Federal departments (Education, Health & Human Services, Defense, Justice, Agriculture, and Interior) for the first-ever National Summit on Bullying held earlier this month. As Jim Hmurovich of Prevent Child Abuse America quipped, “This demonstrates that Federal agencies can collaborate!”
Aside from the conference, which was a feat in itself, the agencies have established a website—www.BullyingInfo.org — as a resource on the subject. It now contains information primarily about Federal efforts but, we were told, will begin to include information about non-governmental resources as well.
To support this watershed moment in inter-agency, cross-sector work on behalf of children in America, we at the Assembly are committing to join in the efforts and get serious about anti-bullying initiatives. And we hope you – our members – will also join us in this important work.
Irv Katz, President and CEO, NHSA
Read more of Irv Katz’ editorial on the National Summit on Bullying.
Visit www.bullyinginfo.org and learn what you can do to help prevent bullying.
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The Changing Faces of America’s Children and Youth
With 49% of babies born to minorities last year – largely attributable to a rise in Hispanic children and a decline in non-Hispanic white children – America is growing increasingly racially and ethnically diverse, which may mean greater tolerance in the future and a need to rethink children and youth-oriented policies. Access the Carsey Institute report on the Changing Face of America.
What Teens Need – Sparks, Voice, and Positive Relationships
Over one-third of 15-year-olds in a recent survey are missing the three strengths that seriously impact successful youth outcomes – deep interests (sparks), the ability to influence what they consider important (voice) and, above all, supportive relationships with caring adults – and only 7 percent have all three. Learn more in the Search Institute sponsored Teen Voice Report. Or watch the Teen Report video on youtube.
The Recession Generation – Can We Prevent Them From Becoming a Lost Generation?
The recession has resulted in serious roadblocks to productive careers for an entire generation of young workers – which could in turn hinder national economic growth and contribute to poverty-levels – but policy focusing on increased work opportunities and federal support programs may help to lessen the long-term socio-economic damage. Read the CHN report on these risks and policy recommendations to address them.
Older Americans
For Many, the Golden Years Don’t Mean Retirement
Work trends among the current older Americans have shifted dramatically from those of previous generations, with more than 40 percent of men born 1943 to 1947 choosing to remain in the workforce age 65 compared with only 20 percent of those born 1933 to 1937. Read more in the Urban Institute report, Work and Retirement Patterns for the G.I. Generation, Silent Generation, and Early Boomers: Thirty Years of Change.
Poverty and Community
Taking a Cue from Chicago on Affordable Housing Solutions
A possible new ordinance in Chicago would dedicate 20 percent of the money collected from 158 tax increment financing districts across Chicago to affordable housing, which amount to up to $100 million a year. Read the Chicago Tribune article on the TIF ordinance.
SNAP and WIC - Keeping Americans Healthy (More Than You May Expect)
Almost 1 in 4 Americans receive assistance from USDA nutritious food programs, including 41 million individuals – or one in eight Americans – who were eligible for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps) benefit last year. Access the USDA Report on SNAP participation rates from 2001-2008. Access the USDA Report on WIC participation rates from 2001-2008.
Nonprofit Sector
Sectoral Employment – What Works for Workforce Development
Participants in sectoral employment workforce development programs – industry-specific training and placement for unemployed and underskilled workers – earned about $4,500(18 percent) more than those in the control group, and were more likely to find employment, work more consistently, work in jobs that paid higher wages, and work in jobs that offered benefits. Access the P/PV report, Tuning In to Local Labor Markets: Findings From the Sectoral Employment Impact Study, and learn more about this new approach to workforce development.
Encore Careers and the Multigenerational Nonprofit Workforce: Three New Reports
Civic Ventures recently commissioned three essays on the topic of the multigenerational workforce covering issues from what lies ahead for nonprofit leaders as they approach traditional retirement age to guidance for nonprofits interested in recruiting and retaining employees of all ages. Access Civic Ventures’ three reports: An Encore for Nonprofit Leaders; Rewards at Work; and A New Career Narrative.
Under Pressure, but Committed as Ever – The Great Recession and the Nonprofit Sector
The Johns Hopkins Nonprofit Listening Post Project, which surveyed over 1,100 nonprofit organizations, shows that the recession is taking a real toll on nonprofits’ ability to maintain programs, but that they are demonstrating great resilience and commitment to their missions. Access the Listening Post Project findings report.
The Official Who’s Who of the Nonprofit World is Out!
The NonProfit Times has released its annual NPT Power & Influence Top 50, listing the 50 most influential executives in the sector of the year. This year’s list drew from over 250 nominations and leaned in heavily towards leaders in technology, social entrepreneurs and those on the cutting edge of public service trends. Find out who made the list.
Robin Hoods of a Different Stripe – Gates, Buffet and 13 Other Billionaires Make Historic Pledge to Philanthropy
Warren Buffet and Bill Gate and thirteen other American billionaires have vowed to give a significant amount of their assets to philanthropic charities in what they are calling the “giving pledge.” Learn more about their commitment and what it means for philanthropy in America and abroad.
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