Human services resources crossing my screen recently include:
SNAP: On October 1 the food stamp program's name officially changed to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Food and Nutrition Service has just posted a new site to describe SNAP. Click here to view it.
What Works in Programs Serving Fathers Involved in the Criminal Justice System?: Lessons from Evidence-Based Evaluations: Between 1991 and 1999, the percentage of children with an incarcerated father increased by 58 percent, and it was estimated that 721,500 state and federal prisoners, 93 percent of whom were male, had fathered at least one child under the age of 18. With rising rates of incarceration, there has been an increased interest in developing programs that specifically address the needs of fathers in the criminal justice system. While expectations for programs to promote responsible fatherhood among fathers involved in the criminal justice system are high, information about which programs and practices are most effective is limited. Several rigorous evaluations of recent programs for fathers involved in the criminal justice system provide some preliminary conclusions about those features that make for effective fatherhood programs. This seven page brief identifies eight common features of "model" programs.
What Child Welfare Professionals Need to Know about Awaiting Foster Care Placement and the McKinney-Vento Act: This two page brief answers questions about the McKinney-Vento Act, a federal law designed to increase the school enrollment, attendance, and success of children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The law provides modest grants to States to provide supplemental services to eligible youth. Information is provided on eligibility for services, special protections given to children under the Act, steps for accessing services for an eligible child, information about the child that is needed to provide services, and strategies child welfare professionals can use to work collaboratively with McKinney-Vento programs to best serve children.
Keep in Touch: Young People Offer Advice on Staying Connected and Living Independently: In this National Clearinghouse for Families and Youth brochure, adolescents who have experienced homelessness or who have been in foster care discuss their experiences and offer advice to other youth on making the transition to independence. The benefits of a transitional living program are highlighted and a checklist is provided for youth transitioning to independence.
State Unemployment Rates: The Economic Policy Institute has produced this interactive map of state unemployment rates. Since the economic downturn began in December 2007, the United States has lost over 600,000 jobs, and the national unemployment rate has risen to a five-year high of 6.1%. States most affected are concentrated largely in the Pacific West, Midwest, and South Atlantic regions, and are led by Michigan (8.9%), Rhode Island (8.5%), California (7.7%), and Mississippi (7.7%). The interactive Map shows the unemployment rate of each state in August, accompanied by employment gains and losses incurred by each state since the economic downturn.
4.3 Million Americans Have Not Claimed Their Economic Stimulus Payments: October 15 is the last day to file a tax return in order to receive an economic stimulus check. Many low-income seniors, disabled veterans and others with disabilities have not done so. Click here to access a resource prepared by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The site contains state-by-state and county information on the numbers of unclaimed payments as of September 7, as well as how to claim the payment.
