We have changed our format for our Newsletter, and in the interests of always tring to bring relevant material to our community and balancing that with an approach that is accessible but not overwhelming in its content we have begun to send out a smaller version of ConneXion's in the form of an eBulletin.

This site will host more extensive content that we cannot include in our brief eBulletins for members that are interested in accessing further resources, news, a calendar of upcoming events, and funding opportunities.

We continue to strive to improve our service and gladly accept any feedback on it.

Stay tuned as we continue to revamp this site, these pages, and our content.

~ Jeremy, 8/31/2006

RESOURCES & PUBLICATIONS

(2.06.07)

(11.06)

DOWNTOWNERS DVD AVAILABLE

We recently received a demonstration DVD and promotional materials for a project that shows the many facets of street life in Olympia, WA.  It began as an Evergreen College student project that addressed the experiences of homeless young people at the downtown transit center and evolved into 60 hours of footage that was edited down to one hour. 

Young people are interviewed and portrayed and a variety of settings from encampments and squats to doorways and sidewalks.  Interactions with police and other officials illustrate the negative treatment that is often experienced on the street.  The issues and resources available are also addressed.

This would be a great discussion starter for community meetings and a training device for new street outreach workers.  It is available by contacting Partners in Prevention Education www.youthchangeagents.org.  If you would like the Network to purchase a copy for our professional library, contact us at www.nwny.org.

Donated Goods from Gifts In Kind International

Gifts In Kind International links corporate resources to enhance, empower and restore communities in need, especially the underserved.  Nonprofits can partner with 44% of Fortune 500 Corporations—GIKI provides quality products that improve lives in communities around the world.  Gifts In Kind receives donations from companies throughout the country and then distributes these goods to nonprofit organizations that join Gifts in Kind.  These products generally range from computer software and hardware to clothing, personal care items, toys and furniture.  For more information, go to: http://www.giftsinkind.org.

Source:  MANY eMessages, Mid-Atlantic Network of Youth & Family Services, February 20, 2006, Vol.3, No.2

Guide to Federal Resources for Youth Development

America’s Promise Alliance has produced a “Guide to Federal Resources for Youth Development,” 165-page comprehensive guide to over 100 youth-focused funding programs administered by nine federal departments.  Each funding source in this guide has been categorized according to the five resources required for healthy youth development, and information on the programs’ goals, grantee eligibility, and updated contact information are provided.  The guide is available at:  http://www.americaspromise.org/partners/federal_funding_guidelines.pdf

Source:  MANY eMessages, Mid-Atlantic Network of Youth & Family Services, April 26, 2006, Vol.3, No.4

Housing in Rural America

This brief reviews poverty and housing issues in rural America. Issues include affordability, quality, and access to mortgage loans. Approximately 5.2 million, just under one-quarter of rural households pay more than 30 percent of their monthly income for housing costs.

Link:  http://peerta.acf.hhs.gov/policies/support.htm#housing

Family Homelessness in Our Nation and Community: A Problem with a Solution

This resource examines the nature and causes of family homelessness and outlines approaches that communities are pursuing to provide homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing. Family homelessness is a widespread problem and is driven largely by the inability of very low-income families to afford housing. Housing stability can greatly improves a family’s chances of success in employment, education and health. This paper reviews family homelessness on a national level and includes specific information to the District of Columbia metropolitan region.

Link:  http://peerta.acf.hhs.gov/policies/support.htm#housing

Fact Sheet Highlights Youth Gang Survey

The Office of Justice Programs’ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) announces the availability of “Highlights of the 2004 National Youth Gang Survey .” This 2-page fact sheet was written by Arlen Egley, Jr., Ph.D., Senior Research Associate, and Christina E. Ritz, M.S., Research Associate, National Youth Gang Center.  The fact sheet summarizes findings from the National Youth Gang Survey for 2004 and reports data on the number of gangs, gang members, and gang-related homicides in larger cities, suburban counties, smaller cities, and rural counties. The findings indicate that gangs, gang members, and gang-related homicides are concentrated in larger cities.

Link:  http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/publications/PubAbstract.asp?pubi=235570

Handbook Assists Caseworkers in Navigating Disability Benefits System

A new SAMHSA workbook 'Stepping Stones to Recovery: a Case Manager's Manual for Assisting Adults Who Are Homeless with Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income Applications' assists case managers and other professionals in obtaining disability benefits through the Social Security Administration for adults who are homeless and have mental illnesses. Since a disproportionate number of homeless youth have disabilities, and since many youth are now in TLPs through age 23, this could be an important tool for agency staff helping youth plan for discharge.

Link:  http://pathprogram.samhsa.gov/SOAR/tools/manual.asp

100 FAQs On The Educational Rights of Homeless Children and Youth

This document, produced by National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth and the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, provides answers to 100 frequently asked questions about the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the education rights of children and youth in homeless situations.

Link: http://www.nlchp.org/content/pubs/100%20Most%20Frequently%20Asked.pdf

Guide Lists Federal Resources for Youth Development

Published by America's Promise, a coalition of communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals supporting youth development programs, the " Guide to Federal Resources for Youth Development" provides information on federal funds available to support youth development programs. The guide lists more than 100 federal programs, including programs from the U.S. Department of Justice, which are cross-referenced to five core resources regarded as crucial to effective youth development.

Link: http://www.americaspromise.org/partners/federal_funding_guidelines.pdf

Understanding and Responding to Juvenile Runaways in the Community

The US Department of Justice has released a new guide on juvenile runaways. This 86-page guide describes the problem of juvenile runaways, reviews risk factors, and identifies a series of questions designed to assist communities in analyzing their runaway problem. The guide also reviews responses to the problem from the perspectives of evaluative research and police

Link:  http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/mime/open.pdf?Item=1694