In this edition:

National News

 

Congress on Recess Until After Political Conventions 

 

Higher Education Act Passes

 

Senate Finance Committee Fails to Address Child Welfare Reform

 

Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Reauthorization of JDDP 

MISSOURI NEWS

 

National Health Center Week Activities In KC

 

Gov. Blunt Forms Task Force on Aging Out of Foster Care

 

Save the Date: Step Up For Kids Day Rally in KC - September 16th 

IN THE NEWS

 

Media Coverage of Children’s Issues

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 

This week's issue, in brief: Members of the House and Senate left for their annual August break on Friday, August 1. They are scheduled to return September 8.  Before leaving, Congress reauthorized the Higher Education Act and the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act.  However, when Congress returns they must deal with child welfare legislation, the Fostering Connections to Success Act, passed by the House, and theImproved Adoption Incentives and Relative Guardianship Support Act of 2008, currently under consideration in the Senate.  In Missouri, Governor Blunt recently announced a blue ribbon task force on youth aging out of foster care. In Kansas City, our local community health centers are hosting a variety of events to highlight National Health Center Week.  And on September 16th,  Partnership for Children, along with many community partners in the Kansas City area are hosting a “Step Up for Kids Day Rally” to highlight the needs of Missouri’s children and to call on our candidates, elected officials and our communities to keep the needs of children in mind during this election season and beyond!And finally, check out PFC’s “In the News” section for the latest media coverage of children’s issues.

NATIONAL NEWS

Congress on Recess until After Political Conventions

Members of the House and Senate left for their annual August break on Friday, August 1. They are scheduled to return September 8, the first Monday after the Republican convention finishes in Minnesota. Democrats meet the week before that in Colorado.

The growing expectation is that the 110th Congress will attempt to finish its work by the end of September, with passage of a continuing resolution that would fund the federal government from the start of the fiscal year, on October 1, through the start of the next administration on January 20, 2009. 

 

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Higher Education Act Passes 

 

Congress reauthorized  the Higher Education Act before adjourning which included several significant provisions expanding access to higher education and compensation for early childhood and child welfare professionals. A rapidly growing awareness of the importance of early childhood education on the lifetime success of children has also sparked a nationwide trend toward increasing professional requirements for early childhood educators. Yet despite their vital role in young children’s development, these teachers continue to earn extremely low salaries that make it difficult to continue working in the profession or to advance their education.

 

Provisions approved in the Higher Education Act reauthorization include:

 

  • Grant funds for compensation initiatives for early childhood educators who obtain an Associates or Bachelors degree.

  • Expanding loan forgiveness for educators who work in licensed/regulated child care, Head Start and Early Head Start, and state Pre-K program as well as for social workers who work for public and private child welfare agencies.

  • A new grant program for states to create comprehensive professional development systems for early childhood educators.

The bill now goes to the President’s desk where it is expected to gain his signature.

 

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Senate Finance Committee Fails to Consider Child Welfare Reform

On August 1st, the Senate Finance Committee was prepared to unanimously approve child welfare legislation, opening the door for greater permanency options for thousands of foster children awaiting a permanent home. Yet, in a surprise move, the Senate adjourned, delaying committee approval until the Senate reconvenes in September. Senate leadership has delayed all committee work on this issue until September 10th.

The Committee was scheduled to vote on the Improved Adoption Assistance & Guardianship Support Act (S. 3038), introduced by Ranking Republican Member Charles Grassley (IA), which reauthorizes the Adoption Incentives program through 2013 while also allowing federal supports for guardianship assistance for children who would otherwise be in the formal foster care system. The committee was expected to consider the Chairman’s substitute, introduced by Finance Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) which maintains S. 3038, yet also allows for additional federal supports to be provided for Kinship Navigator Programs, direct federal access to foster care and adoption assistance supports for Tribal nations, allowing states to extend foster care benefits for foster youth up to the age of 21, and provides for a greater coordination of educational services for foster children.

 

In late June, the House approved the Fostering Connections to Success Act (H.R. 6307) containing similar child welfare extensions. The House measure also allows private child welfare serving agencies to access federal training supports and for a greater coordination of health care services for children in foster care— both of these measures are currently not included in the substitute bill.

 

House Ways & Means and Senate Finance staff have been given the green light by both chambers to begin working together in crafting a comprise bill in order that this is sent to the President for signature by mid September.

 

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Senate Judiciary Committee Passes the Reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) (S. 3155).

The measure strengthens the core requirements of the JJDPA by providing a focus on addressing the disproportionate treatment and representation of minority youth; improves the confinement conditions of juveniles; allows youth convicted of adult crimes to serve in juvenile facilities until they reach an extended jurisdiction age; promotes alternatives to detention, and makes progress in addressing the deinstitutionalization of status offenders.

 

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MISSOURI NEWS

August 10 – 16th is National Community Health Center Week – Check Out Events in the Greater Kansas City Region

The second week of August each year is dedicated to recognizing the service and contributions of Community, Migrant, Homeless and Public Housing Health Centers in providing access to affordable, high quality, cost-effective health care to medically vulnerable and underserved people in the U.S.   The Greater Kansas City area is fortunate to have two outstanding health centers, with several satellite centers, Swope Community Health and Samuel Rodgers Health Center.  These community health centers are vital partners in ensuring that the children and families of Kansas City get the health care they need and deserve.  Check out the events happening this week in Kansas City.  For more information, visit:  http://healthcenterweek.org/
 

Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center
825 Euclid Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64124

Event: Caring for Children and Adults with Asthma-Lunch and Learn
Date: August 15, 2008
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location:
Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center
825 Euclid Avenue
Kansas City
Lower Level

Coordinator: Nina Howard
Phone: 816-889-4643

Additional Information:
Presented by: Erica Forrrest, MS, RRT Environmental health Program Department of Allergy/Asthma/Immunology Children's Mercy Hospital Event is free-RSVP-816-889-4643-Limited Seating

Swope Health Services
3801 Blue Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64130

Event: National Health Center Week
Date: August 11 thru August 15, 2008
Time: 12 Noon to 5:00 PM

Location:
Swope Health Central
3801 Blue Parkway

1638 W US Highway 24 Independence MO 64050
Kansas City, MO 64130

Northland 4709-11 NW Gateway, Riverside, MO 64150

Coordinator: Dorothy Fonza
Phone: 816-922-7645 x 4044

Invited Public Officials/Community Leaders:
Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver

Additional Information:
Screenings Tuesday and Friday at Swope Central. 20 Free Mammograms on Thursday. Voters Registration, University extension with Healthy Food Samples, KU Medical Center Kick It At Swope (quit smoking) HealthCare USA, Family Health Partners, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Humana Health Plan, Exercise Class, Musician on site and Independence clinic. Informational tables from Swope: Mo Health Net, Pediatric, WIC, Breast Feeding, Homeless Outreach, Behavioral Health and Nutritionist. Screenings: BMI, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Cholesterol.

 

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Gov. Blunt Forms Task Force on Youth Leaving the Foster Care


Yesterday, Gov. Matt Blunt announced a blue ribbon task force to assess and tackle the critical and unique needs of young Missourians coming of age in the state’s care as foster children.  
 

The Missouri Aging Out Task Force will evaluate public and private resources available to support young Missourians in foster care as they approach age 18. The group will also recommend ways to improve and strengthen coordination, communication and collaboration among state agencies and private organizations.  The governor’s goal for the blue ribbon task force is to maximize the use of resources to support young Missourians and their transition to successful adult roles and responsibilities. The Governor requested that the panel develop a three year plan for young Missourians aging out of foster care. The plan could include potential legislative priorities, strategies to promote and expand existing resources, and additional training for those dedicated to helping Missouri teenagers as they approach aging out.

 

The governor named the following Missourians to serve on the Missouri Aging out Task Force:

  • Deborah Scott, of Jefferson City, is director of the Missouri Department of Social Services.

  • Jane Drummond, of Columbia, is director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

  • Dr. Kent King, of Jefferson City, is commissioner of Education for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

  • Dr. Robert Stein, of Jefferson City, is commissioner of the Department of Higher Education.

  •  Greg Steinhoff, of Columbia, is director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

  • Rev. Keith Kissart, of St. Louis, is a foster parent, a pastor and on the local board for Missouri Compassion.

  • Tiffany Tanner, of Brunswick, has been in the foster care system for the past seven years. She joined the State Youth AdvisoryBoard at 16 and continues to serve. She is now a college freshman.

  • Annica Trotter, of St. Louis, is a former foster youth who successfully transitioned from the system.

  • Oscar Tshibanda, of Kansas City, is managing partner of Tshibanda & Associates LLC.

  • Burk Day, of Ozark, is president of Heavy Duty Rebuilders Supply Inc.

  • Kevin Sprouse, of Columbia, is the founding member of KCS Consultants, LLC.

  • Kevin Drollinger, of St. Louis, is executive director of Epworth Children’s Home.

  • Duane L. Lewis, of Kansas City, is director of Evangelical Children’s Home in Kansas City.

  • Vincent Hillyer, of St. James, is executive director of the Boys and Girls Town of Missouri.

  • Beth Dessem, of Columbia, is executive director of the Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocates Association.

  • Vivian Murphy, of Jefferson City, is executive director of the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association.

  • Judge Mary Sheffield, of Rolla, is presiding judge for the 25th Judicial Circuit and serves as Circuit Judge, Division II.

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SAVE THE DATE:  September 16th - Step Up for Kids Day Rally

PFC, along with our local partners, are currently organizing a rally in Kansas City on Sept. 16th as part of a national Step up for Kids Day sponsored by Every Child Matters. Events are being organized all over the country on this day to show widespread public support for investments in children and families during this election season.  The Rally will be held on Tuesday, September 16th at Theis Park (South of the Nelson Art Gallery)at approximately 5:30 pm!  Keep checking your mailboxes, more details to come!

 

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IN THE NEWS: Media Coverage of Children's Issues

MO House member indicted on sex assault charge - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Missouri Rep. Scott Muschany, R-Frontenac, was indicted Wednesday in connection with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl early in the morning on May 17, hours after this year's legislative session ended. Read more >> 

 

Study ranks state’s driving laws for youth ‘worst’  - Wichita Eagle

When classes start in two weeks, thousands of 15-year-olds will be on the roads headed to school.

They will be using restricted driver's licenses just as a study shows Kansas' teen driving laws are among the nation's poorest. Read more >>

 

Accreditation efforts pay off for foster children - Kansas City Star

Missourians only a few years ago had ample reason to be concerned about their state’s foster-care system. Read more >>

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Emily Smith & Carrie Shapton

Partnership for Children

infopfc@pfc.org

816-531-9200

 

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