USSF 2010: Register and Get Involved

USSF 2010: Register and Get Involved
Get involved in the US Social Forum (USSF)! The national event, which will take place June 22-26 in Detroit, MI has officially opened registration for individuals and organizations and there are many opportunities to become involved in planning activities leading up to Forum. Find out how you can participate, help organize, and promote this important gathering meant to build unity around common goals of social justice, strengthen ties between organizations, and help build a broader social justice movement.
USSF 2007 was held in Atlanta, GA and drew 12,000 people from around the country with a purpose to effectively and affirmatively articulate the 
values and strategies of a growing and vibrant movement for justice in the
 United States. The Forum is not a
 conference but it is a space to come up with the peoples’ solutions to the 
economic and ecological crisis. Some 15,000 grassroots community organizers, activists, social service nonprofits, and individuals are expected to attend the USSF 2010.

Register here

Somos Mayfair Receives Over $1M to Fund Social Service and Social Change

It’s been a year since we published Making Social Change: Case Studies of Nonprofit Service Providers which featured five human service organizations that are integrating social change activities into their work. The stories highlighted the tremendous strides that these groups have made towards transforming their organizations and their communities but also noted the associated challenges of taking on a social change agenda, including securing funds for these ongoing initiatives. In light of this, the recent announcement that one of the featured organizations, Somos Mayfair, has been awarded over $1 million in funding for both their service and their civic engagement work brings hope and encouragement to human service providers interested in this approach.

While it is recognized and necessary to provide for the immediate needs of the community, Somos Mayfair makes it a priority to build leadership and create long term change. FIRST 5 Santa Clara County awarded Somos Mayfair $945,000 over three years as part of their initiative to prepare every child for success in school, and help every parent support their child. Additionally, the group received a $180,000 three-year grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to expand immigrant civic participation through their Popular Theater program. Now in its sixth year, the theater program is one of the main pillars of Somos’ community engagement work and is instrumental in helping to transform community members from actors on the stage to actors in their community. Through the theater, community members develop social and cultural bonds which help establish the shared values and mutual trust necessary for working together for social change.

To view click here

CDC Hosts Parent Portal for Healthy, Safe Children

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched Parent Portal, an encyclopedic website with links to information from all areas of CDC. "The portal is a source for credible, accurate information in helping parents raise healthy kids and provide a safe home and community," according to the CDC.

Some of the many sections hold information about pregnancy, children's topics by age range, and issues of concern to parents arranged in alphabetical order. The widely varied topics include autism signs, body piercing, lice, school violence, and travel vaccinations.

Another section has information on topics targeted to health-care professionals and researchers, including subjects such as child abuse prevention, a brain injury toolkit for physicians, a parent training guide, and information on the effects of childhood stress.

Quick links go to developmental milestones and safety in the home, among other subjects. Other resources list product recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts.

Users can subscribe to receive email updates and RSS feeds. Podcasts are also accessible. Visit the portal on the CDC site:
www.cdc.gov/parents

ACE Think Tank and Action Team Participants

Greetings ACE Think Tank and Action Team Participants! Happy Spring!

We are very excited to remind you that the next ACE Think Tank and Action Team Meeting is Thursday, May 6, 2 - 5pm in the Milne Hall Room 200 on the Downtown Campus of the University at Albany. Bill McLaughlin, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Development, Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) will be our keynote speaker! He will share various approaches to trauma-informed care identified in New York State, discussing views of ACE response strategies. This is sure to be an informative and exciting session, and it will be great to have you there! Please share this information with colleagues and friends, and contact Heather Larkin with questions (hlarkin@uamail.albany.edu

In addition, please note that "A Taste of Albany" will be held that same evening to benefit Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless! This is a great chance to make a whole day of exciting Albany events - the ACE Think Tank and Action Team Meeting followed by a great dinner event to support services helping homeless people.

Attorney General's Children Exposed to Violence Demonstration Program: Phase I

This program will develop and support comprehensive community-based strategic planning to prevent and reduce the impact of children's exposure to violence in their homes, schools, and communities. The deadline to register on OJP's Grants Management System is 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 1, 2010. The due date for applying for funding under this announcement is 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 1, 2010.

VISIT SITE:
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/grants/solicitations/FY2010/AGCEV.pdf

Keeping Track 2010 NYC Children

Please Join Us Wednesday, June 9, 2010 for the premiere of the Ninth Edition of Keeping Track of New York City's Children.

Space is limited. RSVP required

Location: Baruch College Conference Center Room 750
151 East 25th Street, 7th Floor
(The North side of 25th street, between Lexington and 3rd Avenue)

9:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Program and Presentation of Keeping Track Online

WEBSITE:
http://www.cccnewyork.org/index.html