Closing a Texas predatory-lender loophole, ideas to reduce the C-section rate, new Fostering Connections guidelines from the federal government, and an important upcoming KIDS COUNT event are all featured in our new edition of the round-up.Congress also is running out of time to act on a number of important priorities, national advocates say. Below, we share links to their reports about why it is important to extend Medicaid funding to help states like Texas fill their budget holes and to fully fund a plan to bring Promise Neighborhoods, based on the successful Harlem Children's Zone model, to communities nationwide.
In our newsletter yesterday, we featured another report on why citizen action is important, with excerpts from an interview with our member, Susan Shelton, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Texas. If you haven't yet reviewed the wealth of tips and resources she references, you're missing out. For example, she tells us:
Every person can promote voter turnout by making sure others know about the candidates and issues as well as election processes.
At an individual level, word of mouth, email, and social media like Facebook are helpful ways to inform others about important points in the election process. Share information such as the voter registration deadline of October 2, early voting dates of October 16-29, and sources of information on candidates and issues (e.g., email the link to the Voters Guide [which the LWV will have available in September] or time/place for a candidate forum). Invite others to attend a candidate event or to vote either during early voting or on Election Day. Individuals can be deputized by their county Elections Administrator so that they can register others to vote. A letter to the editor of the local newspaper on the importance of voting and issues that impact children can reach a wide audience.
We hope these ideas inspire you to get involved this election year. Now on with the round-up…
News and Reports Weekly Round-Up
Child and Maternal Health
7.23.10 Some Insurers Stop Writing New Coverage for Kids (Associated Press)
7.22.10 New Guidelines Aim to Reduce Repeat C-Sections (Associated Press)
7.21.10 States will Face Tough Choices without Extended Medicaid Funding (Georgetown Center for Children and Families)
7.20.10 Shape of the Nation: Status of Physical Education in the USA (National Association for Sport and Physical Education and the American Heart Association)
7.19.10 HHS Rule on Preventive Services: Bright Futures for All Children (American Academy of Pediatrics)
More Health News...
Child Protection
7.22.10 Angry Parents Need a Time-Out (San Antonio Express-News op-ed)
7.22.10 Drugging Children: Unrecognized Form of Child Abuse? (ABC News)
7.20.10 Feds Issue Instructions on Fostering Connections Act, Chafee Act (YouthToday)
7.20.10 A Different Approach to Child-Abuse Prevention Worth a Look (San Antonio Express-News column)
7.18.10 Gains Cited in Care for Most Troubled Teens (Dallas Morning News)
More Protection News...
Family Financial Security Headlines
7.23.10 Close the State Loophole on Predatory Lending (Austin American-Statesman op-ed)
7.22.10 What Isn't Bigger in Texas? Number of College Degrees (Houston Chronicle)
7.22.10 Activists Seek More Electric-Bill Help for Poor Texans (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
7.21.10 Take Action: Support Full Funding for Promise Neighborhoods (PolicyLink)
7.20.10 Eating Nutritiously a Struggle When Money is Scarce (NPR)
More Financial Security News...
Juvenile Justice Headlines
7.20.10 Never Too Late: Public Optimism about Juvenile Rehabilitation (National Juvenile Justice Network)
More Juvenile Justice News…
Child Mental Wellbeing Headlines
7.20.10 Will Health Reform Fill the Mental Health Gaps for Texas Kids? (State of the Children blog)
7.20.10 Baby Babble Offers Clues to Detecting Autism (KXAN)
More Mental Health News...
More About Kids
7.19.10 Save the Date: Tuesday, 7/27/2010 KIDS COUNT Hosts "Texas Kids vs. the U.S.: How are we faring?"(Center for Public Policy Priorities)
More News About Kids…
