Wednesday, August 9, 2006

National Policy
Federal Battle Brewing over Children’s Health Care
Grassroots pressure is mounting to provide health coverage to all children in the United States. Yet with Medicaid under the budget ax and a looming battle in Congress over reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), federal funding needed to keep children healthy is at risk. PICO is working locally and at the state level to expand access to health coverage for children and adults, and preparing now for a major national debate over health care priorities in 2007. Read more>>

Education
$15 Million for Model Parent Engagement Program
The California legislature approved an additional $15 million for the Parent-Teacher Home Visit Project, a nationally-recognized strategy for improving student achievement by building stronger relationships between parents and teachers.  Developed originally by Sacramento Area Congregations Together, the Home Visit Project operates in hundreds of schools across the United States. To learn more visit www.pthvp.org. 

New Report on Weighted Student Funding
Metro Organizations for People (MOP) released Unraveling the Denver Public Schools Budget: Toward Transparency and Equity through Weighted Student Funding. The report analyzes budget practices in the Denver school system and presents research on "weighted" funding as a more transparent and equitable method for public school budgeting. Read more>>

Massachusetts Organizations Help Win $20.5 Million for Job Training and ESOL
Massachusetts Communities Action Network (MCAN) and its six affiliated organizations helped win passage of $20.5 million in new state funding for job training, ESOL, and GED as part of an Economic Stimulus Bill passed by the State Legislature on June 15. Read more>>

San Jose focuses Mayoral Candidates on Small Schools Strategy
People Acting in Community Together (PACT) in San Jose, presented candidates for mayor with a plan to create 10 new charter schools and help raise $10 million to start new small schools.   PACT has been leading a long-term campaign to develop new high-quality small schools in the San Jose region. Read more>>

HEALTH CARE
Bay Area Residents Organize to Expand Health Care for Low-Income Adults
Hundreds of people from Peninsula Interfaith Action in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, CA packed the auditorium at St. Matthew Church calling on County Supervisors to help develop a plan for county-wide healthcare coverage for low-income adults. Read more>> 

Roanoke Medical Clinic Plans to Serve Poor
Faith Works in the Roanoke Valley helped win a $42,000 grant for the region's second federally subsidized medical clinic. The initiative is designed to improve health conditions in Southeast Roanoke. Read more>>

HOUSING
Orlando Wins New Affordable Housing
In front of over 100 people on May 25, the City of Orlando Housing Coordinator agreed to support an initiative by Orlando FOCUS to build affordable homes in the Parramore section of the city. Read more>>