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Week of: September 4, 2000
Golf Tournament Photos
Jay Melon of CRT shares his photos from the Hackers Only Golf Tournament in Portland, CT on August 20, 2000 on line. The tournament kicked off the CAFCA/MASSCAP/RI Annual Conference 2000.
View the photos at:
www.gatherround.com/u98146a97621pcafca.invt
Password: CAFCA
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CT Public Schools Database
The Connecticut Policy and Economic Council has an interactive public school database containing information on every school district in the state. See how schools across the state compare.CPEC Connecticut Public Schools Database
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National
Call In Day
September 12, 2000
Call members of Congress and the Administration to fight hunger and pass the Hunger Relief Act (HRA) and the FORK Act. HRA (S. 1800, H.R. 3192) makes improvements to the Food Stamp Program that include increasing the allowable value of a vehicle and increasing the shelter cap for families. The FORK Act (S.1805, H.R. 2738) expands food stamp outreach and strengthens oversight of local food stamp office practices.
September
12 has been set nationally as the day for all of us to call members of Congress
and the Administration and urge them to fight hunger and pass HRA and FORK.
For Congress call Capitol switchboard 202-225-3121.
For the President Clinton call the White House at 202-456-1414.
For more information, please call End Hunger Connecticut! at 860-296-1127.
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Do Mandatory Welfare-to-Work Programs Affect the Well-Being of Children?
Check out this report from MDRC on the effect of Welfare-to-Work strategies on families.
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Performance Measurement Project
CAAs working toward creating uniform performance standards may find this website from the Government Accounting Standards Board dealing with the use and reporting of performance measures for government services to be of interest. Performance measures are concerned with the results of the service delivery, and help provide a basis for assessing the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of those services.
Performance Measurement Project
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Week of: August 28, 2000
Idea for Local Action:
National "Welfare Made A Difference"Campaign
Take local action as part of the national campaign "Welfare Made a Difference." Current and former welfare recipients from across the country will speak out about how welfare helped them achieve self-sufficiency.
New CABHN Fever
The August 2000 issue of CABHN Fever is available on line!
If you would like to receive a subscription via e-mail,
contact dnoble@larcc.org.
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City
Scan:
Empowering Urban Neighborhoods
through Technology
Do you agree that citizens should take an active role in their
communities? Check out City Scan, a project that empowers citizens to set
community priorities and hold city government accountable for performance. The
goal of City Scan is to encourage citizens to behave as customers and owners of
the government programs that shape their communities.
In City Scan projects, citizens gather information on how well city services deliver results at the street level. Participants use both handheld computers to enter specific conditions into a database and digital cameras and camcorders to visually capture neighborhood conditions.
For more information, visit www.cpec.org
or contact Michelle Doucette Cunningham at (860)493-7611 or mdc@cpec.org.
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Show Support for Anti-Hunger
Legislation:
National Call In Day -Sept. 12
From CABHN Fever: The end of the legislative session in Washington is near. We need your help in urging congress to pass important anti-hunger legislation, including the Hunger Relief Act (S. 1800, HR 3192) &the Food Stamp Outreach and Research for Kids (FORK) Act (S. 1805, HR 2738). The Hunger Relief Act makes improvements to the Food Stamp Program and the FORK Act expands food stamp outreach. Take a minute on national call-in day--September 12--and call and urge Congress and the administration to fight hunger and pass these important acts. Congress: 202-225-3121. President Clinton: (202-456-1414). For more information, call End Hunger Connecticut! at 860-296-1127.
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October Forum on Economic Self-Sufficiency
Toward Shared Prosperity in Connecticut's New Economy: A Forum on Strategies to Promote Economic Self-Sufficiency
Thursday, October 12, 2000
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Rensselaer at Hartford
Hartford, CT
This forum will focus on the key challenges posed by the "New Economy" on CT's current and future workers. Sponsored by CT Voices for Children, CT Women's Education and Legal Fund, Legal Assistance Resource Center of CT, Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, CT Conference of Independent Colleges, Charter Oak State College and the Welfare Working Group.
Mental Health Committee
Briefing
September 26, 9 - 11 a.m. at the LOB
From CABHN Fever: There will be a briefing on the report made by the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Mental Health on September 26 from 9 - 11 a.m. at the Legisiative Office Building. The 170-page report (as well as a shorter summary) can be found at www.dmhas.state.ct.us
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Work Together to Fight
Poverty in Connecticut
March to be held on Sept. 26
Fight against corporate control of our cities, state, nation and world! The CT Global Action Network (CCAG) is planning a mass march on September 26, 2000. Interested individuals and organizations are asked to sign on to the call to action.
[read more about the march here]
For further info, please contact: Stacey Zimmerman, CGAN Volunteer, (203)744-0763 or e-mail Beanpod73@hotmail.com
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Week of: August 21, 2000
Food Security Fax
End Hunger Connecticut!, Foodshare, and Hartford Food System publish this monthly newsletter on food problems and issues.
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Welfare to Work Manual On Line
The Jobs First Employment Services Policy and Procedures Manual can now be found on line. The Connecticut Department of Labor will update it periodically to reflect changes in welfare to work policy.
[manual]
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Week of: August 14, 2000
Low-cost, Public Interest Newswire
AScribe, a national public interest, digital news network, has created a low-cost system for nonprofits to get their message out: news releases submitted are sent directly to major media organizations, as well as made available for use on web sites, portals, intranets and other online services.
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Minimum Wage Campaign
The Coalition on Human Needs has organized a Minimum Wage Campaign urging Congress and President Clinton to support the raise in the national minimum wage. Congress is currently considering raising the minimum wage by $1, from $5.15 to $6.15 per hour over the next two years. (Additional background information about the minimum wage, including the current status of the proposed increase, can be found on CHN's web site at www.chn.org/minimumwage).
To sign on, please contact Carrie Kilman at the Coalition on Human Needs at cakilman@chn.org (preferred), or at 202-785-0791 (fax) or 202-736-5888 (phone). Please include your organization name as it should appear in the letter and your contact information (name, email address, and phone number).
[organizations][sign on letter to Congress and Pres. Clinton]
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Week of: August 7, 2000
Affordable Housing Call to Action
The Connecticut Housing Coalition is asking organizations to support S. 2733, the Affordable Housing for Seniors and Families Act by signing on to a letter. The bill was introduced by Senators Santorum (R-PA), Sarbanes (D-MD) and Kerry (D-MA). The deadline for signing on to the letter is Monday, August 28 at 5 pm.
[affordable housing sign-on letter]
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October Forum on Economic Self-Sufficiency
Toward Shared Prosperity in Connecticut's New Economy: A Forum on Strategies to Promote Economic Self-Sufficiency
Thursday, October 12, 2000
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Rensselaer at Hartford
Hartford, CT
This forum will focus on the key challenges posed by the "New Economy" on CT's current and future workers. Sponsored by CT Voices for Children, CT Women's Education and Legal Fund, Legal Assistance Resource Center of CT, Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, CT Conference of Independent Colleges, Charter Oak State College and the Welfare Working Group. More details coming soon!
For more information, contact Sara Parker-McKernan at SParker-McKernan@larcc.org.
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Week of: July 31, 2000
Planet 501(c)3
A cartoon strip we in the non-profit sector can relate to! From CompassPoint Nonprofit Services.
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E-advocacy/On-line Philanthropy
W.K. Kellogg Foundation released a report on e-philanthropy titled "E-Philanthropy, Volunteerism, and Social Changemaking: a New Landscape of Resources, Ideas and Opportunities."
[report]
Other resources:
Searchable database of on-line philanthropy from the Foundation Center
E-Philanthropy Database from the Alliance for Community Technology
CAFCA's own e-Advocacy/On-line Philanthropy clearinghouse
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Week of: July 24, 2000
Blue Ribbon Commission on Mental Health
The Blue Ribbon Commission on Mental Health was established to address the mental health care crisis in Connecticut. The panel made a number of recommendations for improving mental health care, including expanding access to services, making consumers and families equal partners, developing public education and primary prevention capabilities and reducing stigma of psychiatric disorders. The full report is available in PDF format. Click here to download a FREE copy of Adobe Acrobat.
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Addressing the Digital Divide
Cyberlearning Universe offers classes in a wide range of computer skills. Their goal is to train 100,000 professionals and 1 million disadvantaged children in a wide range of skills topics areas.
[Cyberlearning Universe][other "digital divide" sites]
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NACAA Kicks of Series of Classes in New Training Center
NACAA has scheduled two training classes during August geared towards CAA professionals to be held in their new training center.
"Community Action Executive Training" will be held August 7 - 8, 9 am - 5 pm each day. This course will cover topics that are essential for executive level staff at CAAs, such as poverty in America, the Community Services Block Grant, building communities, serving families, advocating for opportunity, Results-Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA), and the history, values, and vision of Community Action.
"Mobilizing Resources - Resource Development for CAAs" will be held August 9 at 9 am - 5 pm and August 10, 8:30 am - 12 noon. This session will examine ways CAAs can leverage their credibility and visibility into new sources of funding. Participants will learn how to use public dollars to secure private resources and raise money from foundations, corporations, religious organizations, new entrepreneurs, and large and small donors.
For more information, call NACAA at (202)265-7546.
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Week of: July 17, 2000
Beginning in June, the Connecticut Alliance for Basic Human Needs (CABHN) will be offering three workshops to help low-income people in CT and the agencies that serve them: "How to Find Help", "Legislative Update 2000", & "Public Policy and How You Can Influence It".
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NCAF Seminars & Workshops
The National Community Action Foundation (NCAF) offer a variety of workshops and seminars of interest to Community Action professionals. Scheduling an NCAF seminar is a great way to educate and entertain your membership, complement your conference agenda, and support NCAF. Topics include:
The History and Philosophy of the War on Poverty
Understanding the Congressional Authorizing and Appropriations Process
How Congress Really Works: The Authorizing Game
How Congress Really Works: The Appropriations Game
Strategic Planning for Energy Partnerships
For more information on workshops, time availability, and cost, contact Kellie Baker at (202)842-2092x11.
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Day of Conscience
The Coalition to End Child Poverty in Connecticut is organizing a Day of Conscience on Saturday, October 21, 2000 to challenge the wealthiest state to eliminate child poverty. The day will include local proclamations and a statewide event. For more information, call the Coalition at (860)257-9782.
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Helping Non-profit Agencies Tell Their Tales
From: The Hartford Courant 7/10/00
Lojeri Productions of Vernon produces educational and promotional videos and
films for museums, historical and cultural agencies, and other nonprofits and
provides educational and marketing videos for organizations that do not have the
staff or funding to produce these materials themselves. For more
information, contact Loretta Rivers at (860)871-2480.
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Infoline Changes
As of July 2000, Infoline will use an automated attendant for 2-1-1. This will allow 2-1-1 to serve as the universal access point for people needing help and will allow easier access to Infoline's specialized child care and children's health services. For more information, visit the website www.infoline.org.
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Southern & Eastern CT Residents: Get Up to $8,000 Towards Your Self-Sufficiency Goals
The ACCESS Agency, CTE, NEON, and ABCD have joined forces to sponsor an Individual Development Account (IDA) program. IDAs are matched savings accounts in which folks can save towards home ownership, small business start up, or post-secondary education. Savings are matched dollar for dollar by funds from the IDA program and its many community supporters. At the end of the savings period (four years), participants can save as much as $8,000. For more information, call Patti Woolrich at (860)450-7146 or e-mail her at patriciaw@accessagency.org.
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Week of: July 10, 2000
Head Start Family Information System Software FREE on the Internet
Automated, standardized software package for Head Start case management.
[Head Start Family Information System]
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Connecticut Housing
Coalition Annual Conference
September 28, 2000
Join the Connecticut Housing Coalition for "Affordable Housing: An Industry and a Movement" on Thursday, September 28, 2000 at the Cromwell Radisson Hotel for the largest gathering of affordable housing practitioners and activists. It's the "can't miss it" event of the year. For more information e-mail ct.housing@snet.net or call (860)563-2943.
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2000 KidsCount Data is Released
The 2000 Kids Count data, from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, is here. Although child poverty in Connecticut continues to decrease, it is still double the level of 1989 and indicators such as child death rate, teen birth rate, and high school drop out rate have worsened.
Volunteer Mediators Needed
The Hartford Area Mediation Program (HAMP) is seeking bilingual (Spanish/English) people who want to be trained as volunteer mediators. HAMP is a community mediation program that helps people resolve their differences, on their own, outside of the court system, using a dispute resolution process. HAMP's cases are minor criminal matters referred by Hartford Superior Court. After completing a 20 hour training program, volunteers serve on an as-needed basis, generally once or twice a month. For more information call Barbara Sarkis at 860-280-1184.
CT CAPs Newsletter
May/June 2000
The new issue of CAFCA's newsletter CT CAPs is here! Click here to see what's going in in Community Action in Connecticut.
[May/June][previous issues][home]
Affordable Housing for Working Families
The National Center for Housing Policy is launching a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the critical role housing plays in this country. The findings of a new report entitled Housing America's Working Families indicate that roughly three million moderate-income families are currently unable to meet their families' housing needs despite the equivalent of a full-time job.
[Housing America's Working Families]
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Fatherhood Program Software
Software is available for Fatherhood Programs to track client progress and measure program effectiveness. Issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the software can be downloaded FREE of charge from the HHS website.
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Week of July 3, 2000
WRAP Contract to CAAs Expanded
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Demonstration Partnership Program Findings Available
The Demonstration Partnership Program was created for CAAs to test, evaluate, and disseminate results of new and innovative approaches to self-sufficiency for low-income people. Although the DPP is no longer in existence, many of the evaluation models are still relevant, especially for ROMA goals 1 & 2 (Low income people become more self-sufficient; low-income people, esp. vulnerable populations, achieve their potential by strengthening family and other supportive systems) . In the CAFCA office, we have copies of reports addressing at-risk youth, the homeless, families in transition, as well as case management, economic development, and other strategies.
For more information, e-mail LaRosaS@crtct.org
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For previous items, check out CAFCA's Archives