This past Tuesday, H.Res.129, a resolution introduced by Reps. Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) that urges the German government to reaffirm its moral and financial responsibility to Holocaust victims through increased funding to comprehensively address victims' unique health and welfare needs, passed unanimously in the House of Representatives. The same resolution has been introduced in the Senate as S.Con.Res.36 by Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Susan Collins (R-ME). The resolution continues to gain cosponsors and will hopefully be taken up by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the near future. For more information, please contact Liz Leibowitz, AJFCA Director of Government Affairs.

Earlier this week, AJFCA and JFNA both joined national, state, and local organizations in signing onto the Food Research & Action Center's (FRAC) letter in opposition to a three-state block grant of the school meal programs contained in the Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act, H.R. 5003. This bill, which reauthorizes the child nutrition programs and has passed out of the House Education and Workforce Committee in May, and its proposal to block grant child nutrition programs would deeply impact states' abilities to feed low-income children. To learn more about "block granting," we encourage you to take a look at this resource created by the Friends Committee on National Legislation. If your agency would be interested in joining FRAC's letter in opposition to this proposal, you can add your agency's name here.

Jewish Child & Family Service of Winnipeg's Older Adult Services program is committed to raising awareness on elder abuse. This year, a training package on elder abuse was developed to use as an ongoing professional resource. It includes a DVD and a written educational booklet including a discussion guide. This toolkit can be used with audiences of all ages and communities on the subject of elder abuse.

Through outreach and by raising awareness, the project addresses values and perceptions about abusive behavior and enables seniors to learn about and express themselves on this subject which is seldom addressed. The use of video, discussion, interaction and written materials, has proven to be very beneficial for exploring this sensitive topic. The goal of this project is to remove the stigma and discomfort connected to this issue by encouraging awareness and discussion within a supportive setting. The title, "Not In My Family," is meant to show that, contrary to popular belief, abuse does happen in our own families and community.

The video has been shown to audiences of seniors, students and caregivers followed by discussion. It has also been widely distributed to various professionals and organizations for their use. JFCS Winnipeg is pleased to have member agencies use and share this resource. Contact Cheryl Hirsch Katz for more information. Learn more about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day here.

• Access the booklet here.
• Access the Video here.