JCCF NEWS SUMMARY
July 5, 2013

Minding the Kids: WWDS: What would Douglass say? 

Photo courtesy of U.S. House of Representatives 

 

In June, a statue of famed abolitionist and advocacy journalist Frederick Douglass was unveiled and dedicated in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. Last week, the Annie E. Casey Foundation released the 2013 KIDS COUNT Data Book. What would Frederick Douglass have to say about the well-being of children in the U.S.?

 

Center Director Julie Drizin examines the latest data and reflects on Douglass' legacy in her latest column. Read more

 

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Appointment TV: Two American Families   

Photo Courtesy of PBS Pressroom

 

Bill Moyers began documenting two ordinary families in Milwaukee--one black, one white--more than two decades ago, shortly after the breadwinners in each family lost well-paying factory jobs. Two American Families chronicles the stories of the Neumanns and the Stanleys as they fight to keep from sliding into poverty and adapt to a new economy. 

 

"Two American Families" will air on PBS Frontline on Tuesday, July 9. Check your local listings

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NewsNEWS OF NOTE 
Safe, Anonymous Website for Foster Youths' Challenges
The Philadelphia Inquirer, Carolyn Davis | July 5
TeenCentral gives young people in care space to write their own stories or read the stories of others, and to discuss bullying, smoking, domestic violence and other topics.

Mentorship for New Educators Helps Combat Teacher Burnout, Improve Retention (Video)
PBS NewsHour, Ash-har Quraishi | July 4
As more teachers exit the profession, a nonprofit organization is combating the high turnover rates by mentoring new teachers.

Veterans' Benefit? VA, Buried Under Claims, Says it's Finally Digging Out
The Christian Science Monitor, Anna Mulrine | July 4
The Veterans Administration has been laboring to bring down its infamous backlog of claims, which VA Secretary Eric Shinseki has promised to end by 2015. Efforts to speed up care have included dispensing with paper and reaching out to entrepreneurs to improve customer service.
Decisions on Toxic Sites Spark Fury
Los Angeles Times, Jessica Garrison and Kim Christensen | July 3

In California, a major toxic dump is poised to expand and a troubled battery recycler has been cleared to reopen. Two low-income communities who believe the toxic sites contribute to serious health problems are furious.

Center for Investigative Reporting,Chavala Madlena, Andrew Becker and G.W. Shulz | July 2

Congress may significantly boost funding for the U.S. Border Patrol as part of a new immigration bill. A West Texas checkpoint was set up to catch major traffickers and immigrants who entered the country illegally, but a CIR investigation finds that the checkpoint actually busts thousands of Americans for low-level drug possession.  

 

NPR, Shankar Vedantam | July 2

Getting kids to slow down and think about their actions might reduce homicides, according to a new study.

ProPublica, Joaquin Sapien | July 2
A new report from the U.S. Justice Department estimates that nearly 8 percent of juveniles housed in the 326 facilities they examined have experienced sex abuse at the hands of the staff supervising them. Nine out of 10 victims were males abused by female staff.

The Tennessean, Tony Gonzalez | July 1
Grandparent caregivers in Smithville, Tenn., find a unique home at the nation's one and only rural public housing project established for grandparents with children in their care.


Police Are Changing Their Approach to Mentally Ill People to Get Them Help, Avoid Tragedy
The Kansas City Star, Karen Dillon | July 1
In the past 20 years, police enforcement has involved more encounters with mental illness as state budgets for mental health care dwindle. Some Kansas City area police are now getting training to educate and prepare officers who come in contact with mentally ill people.

Coping with Autism at College
The Miami Herald, Kitty Dumas | July 1
More than 20 colleges and universities offer programs specifically geared toward students on the autism spectrum. This year, the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern will join that short list.

American Way of Birth, Costliest in the World
The New York Times, Elisabeth Rosenthal | June 30
Childbirth in the U.S. is uniquely expensive, and maternity and newborn care constitute the single biggest category of hospital payouts for most insurers and Medicaid programs.  

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EventsEVENTS

 

July 8, 2 - 2:30 p.m. ET

Zero to Three

Online

A virtual rally to promote early learning policies that focus on babies and toddlers, featuring Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of U.S. Department of Education Arne Duncan. 

 
July 9, 3 - 4 p.m. ET
Pew Charitable Trusts
A panel highlighting states that are exploring or successfully implementing home visiting programs in partnership with Children's Hospitals. 
 
July 10, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET
New America Foundation and the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development
Washington, D.C. 
presentation of the OECD's findings on higher education in the U.S., followed by a series of expert panels. 
 
July 15, 2 - 4 p.m ET
American Sustainable Business Council and CLASP
A webinar to better align business education and engagement with the work of paid leave advocates.
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Opportunities
OPPORTUNITIES
 
 

Deadline: Extended to July 15

The Gerontological Society of America and New America Media

Selected Fellows will attend GSA's 2013 Annual Scientific Meeting and commit to completing one short-term story and a long-term in-depth project of their own design. 

 

Deadline: July 15
Youth Media Reporter
YMR is a peer-review journal, bringing together academic research papers, journalism and multimedia from pioneering and emerging voices in youth media. 
 
Deadline: July 15
Poynter and Robert R. McCormick Foundation
A Journalism Conference, Sept. 26 - 27, that will give participants the resources and tools to better cover the burgeoning problem of suburban poverty. The Robert R. McCormick Foundation covers tuition, housing, food and transportation. 

Deadline: August 1
NW Film Center
Celebrates the next generation of youth filmakers in the Northwest by showcasing work around the region. Submissions are judged by a jury of professional filmmakers and educators. 

Deadline: August 5
Borderzine, Reporting Across Fronteras and Robert R. McCormick Foundation
A three-day training, Sept. 26-29, for staff or freelance journalists working for all media platforms in English or Spanish. The Robert R. McCormick Foundation covers tuition, housing, food and transportation. 
 
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ABOUT THE JCCF NEWS SUMMARY

Mina Dixon, Editor 


The Journalism Center on Children & Families, a program of the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, is a national nonprofit organization committed to supporting media coverage of children, youth and families, particularly the disadvantaged. The JCCF News Summary helps journalists and others keep in touch with the latest news, policy analysis and research reports on critical social issues that impact families and communities. We encourage redistribution of this material with credit given to the Journalism Center on Children & Families.

Journalists are encouraged to submit their stories for consideration for publication in the JCCF News Summary and on our website. Please send story links to: [email protected]. Stories should be archived and free of access charges for at least seven days.
 
JCCF thanks The Annie E. Casey Foundation for its generous support of our work.
 
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