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THE END OF THE LEFT BRAIN? EMPATHIZERS, IT'S YOUR TIME
It's grant writing season here at NEN and everywhere else. That makes it a good time to brush up on the latest stats and trends. Many of us don't appreciate the value of this hard information -- we feel we already know what's going on from direct experience. But more often than not, I'm surprised by the new information coming out and its immediate relevance to our agencies. Like that fatalism and not invulnerability is what drives many teenagers; that the professionals who spend less time with children demonstrate the most knowledge about child development and available resources; that the trend away from marriage is more pronounced in rural areas, with all the problems that might imply for children; and that serious efforts are underway to finally create a new measure of poverty. Fodder for your grants and your program development? Think about it, and get more details below.
Also in this issue, the topic that's only growing in importance: the use of volunteers. For more than a year NEN has been researching innovative uses of volunteers in youth-serving agencies; our white paper will be out by fall. In the meantime, check out the volunteering blog from Energize, Inc., a leader in this new field.
And finally, my NEN virtual book group selection, A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink, convinced me that right brainers already have a big advantage in what's now deemed the 'Conceptual Age,' where an MFA is worth more than an MBA. Why? In this age of abundance, appealing only to functional needs is insufficient. And in this age of automation, new technologies are replacing human left brains (i.e., 'knowledge workers'). So what's left for us? Creating and empathizing. Beauty, purpose and joy aren't capacities that can be outsourced, after all, and no computer will ever be able to produce them. Are you and your organization ready for this new thinking? If so, check out the right-brain building exercises in the back of this book. Got another book you'd like to read? Email me with your suggestion. ~ Melanie Goodman, Executive Director | |
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Research & Promising Practices
IS FATALISM A RISK FACTOR FOR TEENS?
A University of Minnesota study has found that nearly 15 percent of teenagers think they're going to die young, leading many to drug use, suicide attempts and other risky behavior. Based on a survey of more than 20,000 youth in grades 7 to 12, the study challenges conventional wisdom that teens engage in risky behavior because they believe they're invulnerable to harm -- some teens may take chances because they feel hopeless. Youth who thought they would die early were seven times more likely than optimistic teens to be subsequently diagnosed with AIDS; they were also more likely to attempt suicide and engage in serious fights resulting in injuries. Researchers suggest that doctors should screen younger patients for a sense of fatalism to identify youth at greater risk. The study appears in Pediatrics.
MORE EVIDENCE OF LOWER EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT FOR HOMELESS YOUTH
A study by Chapin Hall, Chicago Public Schools and Inner Voice, a homeless services agency, finds that educational achievement is lower in all grades for homeless children. Twenty-two percent of homeless children had special education needs -- more than twice the percentage of other students, and 60 percent of the homeless children changed schools during the school year. The study demonstrates the importance of providing academic support for homeless children, and suggests that services for families should be broadened. In addition to residential stability, students need safe and quiet places to study, the opportunity to remain at one school, and access to special education services when indicated.
Link: Article
MULTIPLE FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE LINKED TO BINGE DRINKING RISK
Boston University researchers have found that children who experience multiple types of abuse are at higher risk for underage binge drinking. Adolescents aged 12-21 with a history of sexual abuse had twice the rate of reported binge drinking than those with no maltreatment; teens who experienced both neglect and physical abuse had 1.3 times higher rates, and those who experienced all three types of abuse were 1.8 times more likely to report binge drinking. The authors concluded that examining the effect of early maltreatment on later alcohol abuse needs to recognize the clustering effects of multiple types of child abuse. The study appeared in Addictive Behaviors.
CHARTING THE RISE, FALL AND CHANGES IN JUVENILE CRIME
According to the National Center for Juvenile Justice's 'Juvenile Court Statistics 2005,' juvenile courts handled 59% more liquor law violations, 43% more disorderly conduct cases, 34% more obstruction of justice cases, and 22% more simple assault cases in 2005 compared to 1996. Between 1996 and 2005, caseloads dropped in several offense categories, including stolen property offenses (42%), motor vehicle theft (38%), larceny-theft (37%), burglary (35%), robbery (32%), and aggravated assault (26%). Readers will also find the stats that chart the national decline in court-ordered out-of-home placements.
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Young & Latency-aged Children
REPORT: DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES OFTEN MISSED BY CASEWORKERS
The Edward S. Muskie School of Public Service examined how key players in the child welfare, early intervention/preschool, special education and early care and education systems collaborate to meet the developmental needs of young children involved in the child welfare system. Key findings include: there is a high prevalence of developmental issues among such children, but they are often missed by caseworkers and caregivers; there are low levels of enrollment in early childhood education and care programs even though children are at greater risk for developmental problems; staff and caregiver training can make a difference; and the level of knowledge about developmental needs and resources was in inverse proportion to the amount of time spent with the child. Strange but true: those key players who spent the least amount of time with the child exhibited the most sophisticated understanding of child development and available resources.
RURAL CHILDREN MORE LIKELY TO LIVE IN COHABITING-COUPLE HOUSEHOLDS
A report from the Carsey Institute focuses on recent trends among rural cohabiting households with children. It finds that: rural children living in cohabiting households are more likely to be poor; less education and employment may make rural cohabiting couples more vulnerable in down economic times; and increasing economic stress is likely one reason for the rise in cohabitation in rural areas. Contrary to the typical flow of social trends, which usually move from urban to rural areas, the trend toward cohabitation is more advanced in rural areas. The brief outlines the policy implications for marriage initiatives, measurement of poverty and public assistance programs.
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Resources
CULTIVATE YOUR 'STRESS HARDINESS'
Worrying about your organization's survival, managing already increased workloads, coping with budget cuts and decreased funding can easily lead to burn out. If there were ever a time for a little decompression, it's now. Check out Third Sector New England's online stress reduction tips and easy-to-do exercises. The goal is to build up your 'stress hardiness' -- defined as a mindset exhibited by an individual that makes her or him resistant to the negative impacts of stressful circumstances and events.
SHELTER & HOUSING DIRECTORS: SEE THESE NEW INTERACTIVE TOOLS
The Homelessness Research Institute has developed two new resources -- the Shelter Need Calculator, which illustrates the relationship between shelter demand, length of stay, and shelter bed inventory and allows the side-by-side comparisons of two different scenarios; and the Urban/Rural Cost Analysis Chart, an interactive chart illustrating how costs in eight service categories change when urban and rural homeless individuals are placed in permanent supportive housing. The website also contains an interactive map -- broken down by state -- of media reports on estimates of homelessness; maps and reports of homelessness rates and issues for veterans; and a new report that examines the role of foreclosure, job losses, alcohol/drug abuse, and eviction in homelessness.
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Youth Development
NEED A SUMMER YOUTH PROJECT? THIS ONE'S EASY
Launched by DoSomething.org and Staples, Do Something 101 is a national school supply drive that benefits underserved youth. Now in its second year, the campaign makes it easy to help the 13 million poor children in the US by getting them the basic supplies they need to go back to school. Run a school supplies drive in your school, community or with your friends. See how many new school supplies you can collect this summer! Drop off your supplies at any Staples store nationwide now through September 19th and Do Something and Staples will ensure that these supplies get into the hands of thousands of deserving youth, just in time for back to school. For more information, to find a local Staples store, or download a Do Something 101 action kit, visit the website below.
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PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO UPDATE HOW WE ASSESS POVERTY
The American Poverty Act (H.R. 2909), introduced by Rep. McDermott of Washington, would establish a new poverty measure that reflects a more accurate picture of what it takes to meet basic needs in America today. The proposed Modern Poverty Measure would follow the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences to update the current poverty measurement. This new measure would continue to track income deprivation, but it would be based on current consumption patterns rather than patterns from the 1950s. The proposed bill would count both income assistance (Earned Income Tax Credit, nutrition assistance, and housing assistance) and necessary expenses (federal taxes, work expenses, and out-of-pocket medical costs) not considered in the current poverty measure.
A STATE-BY-STATE LOOK AT IMPACT OF TOBACCO CONTROL POLICIES
A new report, 'Cigarette Smoking Prevalence and Policies in the 50 States: An Era of Change,' from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, includes state-specific data on smoking behaviors, the health and economic costs of cigarette smoking and an overview of national trends. According to researchers, smoking prevalence and related deaths are far lower in communities that have taken concrete steps to prevent tobacco use among individuals and in public places. The report cites a correlation between high cigarette taxes and decreased smoking rates - but despite rising tax revenues, many states are slashing funding for cessation programs.
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Funding & Administrative News
HIV PREVENTION GRANTS FOR GIRLS AT RISK FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
The Office of Public Health and Science will make 10 grants of $130,000 each to organizations to develop and implement realistic prevention education services focused on the intersection between juvenile delinquency and STD/HIV infection for female adolescents. This program will target girls aged 9-17 who are deemed at-risk for juvenile delinquency, will be evaluation-intensive, and will build capacity within communities to serve the needs of teenage girls. Deadline is July 27.
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT RESOURCES BLOG
Energize, Inc., a training, consulting and publishing firm specializing in volunteerism, has developed an interactive blog for sharing information about published resources that address managing volunteer programs and leading volunteers more effectively. Users can submit detailed questions, read previous posts, retrieve archived materials, learn more about upcoming events and link to additional sites and blogs about volunteerism.
GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY LEAD AGENCY GRANTS
Youth Service America is seeking lead agencies for its Global Youth Service Day 2010! Lead agencies increase the scope, visibility, and sustainability of Global Youth Service Day by leading city, regional, or statewide service projects. Lead agencies receive a $2,000 GYSD planning grant sponsored by State Farm Companies Foundation, travel support to attend the Youth Service Institute in Washington, DC, and direct assistance from Youth Service America to ensure a successful Global Youth Service Day. Deadline is July 17.
IS YOUR AGENCY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF NEN'S FREE JOB BANK?
Post a job, find a job, all for free. The NEN Job Bank is simple to use, requires no username or password, is regional in scope, and uniquely targeted to child and youth service professionals at all levels. Members of NEN post job openings free of charge and listings generally remain available for six weeks.
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July 15 at 1 pm ET - Web Conference
Extending Foster Care to Age 21: Benefits, Costs, and Opportunities for States Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
July 29
A National Conversation on Youth Housing - National Conference on Ending Homelessness National Alliance to End Homelessness Washington, DC
August 13-14
National Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Leadership Conference Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention - Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center Dallas, TX
August 25-27
National Conference on Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention National Children's Advocacy Center New Orleans, LA
September 1-4
National Independent Living Conference - Growing Pains 2009 Daniel Memorial Institute Nashville, TN
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