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CSCs
strategically invest in primary prevention and early intervention
programs and services.
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TOP STORIES
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Research Confirms Benefits of Preschool for All
An article in Preschool Matters, the newsletter of the National
Institute for Early Education Research, reports the results of a
British study confirming that all children benefit from quality
preschool participation. According to the article, "New research
findings refute the myths - used by opponents of preschool for all -
that pre-K benefits ultimately fade out and are of no benefit to
middle-income children. Instead, the evidence concludes the opposite -
that high-quality pre-K sets the stage for later success and for
children from middle- and low-income families." Read the article.
Deadline This Week for Youth Leaders to Apply for Chiles
Leadership Corps
The Worst to First Initiative is inviting high school
and college students from around the state to apply to become
members of the Lawton Chiles Leadership Corps (LCLC). The
LCLC will train youth advocates on ways to get involved in their communities
to improve the education system in Florida -- currently ranked
among the lowest in the nation. One thousand students will be
selected for the Lawton Chiles Leadership Corps, and will be
invited to a gathering on Aug. 8-9 in Orlando (expenses paid
except for transportation). The youth training and
gathering is part of the "Worst to First"
campaign, which seeks to build partnerships among a broad constituency,
including parents, teachers, businesses, advocates, social service
providers, school administrators and students. Applications are due no
later than July 10, 2009. To apply, or for more information, go
to the Lawton Chiles Leadership Corp at www.lawtonchiles.org/LCLC.html.
CFO Sink Highlights Statewide Effort to Bring More Money
to Florida Families
Florida CFO Alex Sink recently highlighted a statewide initiative to
bring financial help and education to the state's most vulnerable
families at the Florida Prosperity Partnership's inaugural conference
in Orlando. CFO Sink noted that the organizations now joined together
in the coalition have been able to get nearly $500 million in tax
refunds for Florida's working families, including $100 million in
Earned Income Tax Credit refunds. The Florida Prosperity
Partnership, a coalition of community and financial organizations
chaired by CFO Sink, was formed last year in order to have a
collaborative effort across the state dedicated to helping Floridians
struggling in tough economic times. Learn more.
DCF Offers Financial Assistance for Housing
The Department of Children and Families Office on Homelessness is now
accepting applications for the Emergency Financial Assistance for
Housing Program (EFAHP). To qualify:
- The
household must have at least one child under 18 years of age
living there full-time.
- The
application must be filled out completely, including Social
Security numbers for all family members; monthly income from all
sources; a written explanation of the housing emergency; and the
signature of the applicant.
- The
one-page Vendor Agreement must be completed and signed by the
landlord, mortgage company or property owner.
If the case is approved, a State of Florida check will be
mailed directly to the landlord, mortgage company or property owner.
The program can pay up to $400 once per year for overdue rent or
mortgage payments, or for security deposit for a household that is
homeless, being evicted, or whose housing has been damaged by fire,
hurricane or other natural disaster. Applications are available online
in English, Spanish and Creole at:www.dcf.state.fl.us/homelessness or by calling
(877) 891-6445. Fax applications to (850) 921-2559, or mail to:
Department of Children and Families, Office on Homelessness, 1317
Winewood Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700. If you have questions,
please call (877) 891-6445.
DJJ Releases 2009 Legislative and General Budget Report
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice released its 2009
Legislative and General Budget Report last week. The report details
both legislation that impacts the lives of Florida's children in the
juvenile justice system, as well as provides a budget overview. A
highlight for DJJ this year was the Governor's signing of the Zero
Tolerance bill (SB 1540). The bill calls for changes to zero-tolerance
policies so that petty acts of misconduct and misdemeanors are not
required to be reported to a law enforcement agency. It also encourages
school districts to use alternatives to expulsion or referral to law
enforcement agencies. View the report online.
HHS Rescinds Medicaid Regulations
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen
Sebelius announced this week that the administration will rescind all
or part of three Medicaid regulations that were previously issued, and
delay the enforcement of a fourth regulation. Each of these rules, in
whole or in part, had been subject to Congressional moratoria set to
expire on July 1, 2009. "By rescinding these rules, we can expect
that children will continue receiving services through their schools,
beneficiaries will be able to access all available case management
resources to help them better manage their health care, and outpatient
hospital and clinic services can continue to be covered in the most
efficient manner," said Sebelius.
Specifically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) and HHS are:
- Rescinding
a final rule, published December 28, 2007, that would have
eliminated reimbursement for school-based administrative costs and
costs of transportation to and from schools.
- Rescinding
a rule, published November 7, 2008, that would have limited the
outpatient hospital and clinic service benefit for Medicaid
beneficiaries to the scope of services recognized as an outpatient
hospital service under Medicare.
- Rescinding
provisions of an interim final rule published December 4, 2007,
that would have restricted beneficiary access to case management
services.
- Delaying
until June 30, 2010, the enforcement of portions of a regulation
that clarified limitations on health care related tax programs so
that CMS could determine whether states need additional
clarification or guidance. CMS may also further review the
potential impact of the regulation, and give additional
consideration to alternative approaches.
Senate Dems Release Details of HELP Health Overhaul Plan
Democrats on the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Committee released the long-awaited legislative details of their plan
for providing health care coverage to the nearly 50 million Americans
who lack it. The proposal contains the most contentious portion of the
panel's health care reform bill - a public health insurance option. The
committee is set to consider the provisions as it continues its markup
of health overhaul legislation this week. Read the legislative language along with a cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office
and Joint Committee on Taxation.
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LEGISLATIVE WATCH
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Gov. Crist recently signed SB 712 relating to Special Districts/Commodities/Contractual
Services. The bill authorizes special districts to purchase commodities
and contractual services from purchasing agreements of other special
districts, municipalities, or counties. It provides that the boundaries
of a special district are deemed to include an annexed area under
certain circumstances. The effective date is July 1, 2009.
Autism Advocates Urge Floridians to Contact Their
Congressional Delegates
Congress is considering a bill titled, "The Autism Treatment Acceleration
Act of 2009," that will bring insurance reform and will cover
early diagnosis and Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy. The passing of
this bill will also disseminate research findings to physicians,
schools and parents to create a network that brings effective solutions
to people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In Florida, this bill is
especially important since all children on the Autism Spectrum will not
be covered by the Windows of Opportunity Act of 2008 recently passed by
Florida legislators. Only those children whose parents work for
companies who employ more than 50 employees will be covered, leaving
many families without any coverage. For more information, go to AutismVotes.org. Floridians are encouraged to
contact their congressional representatives and ask them to approve the
Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009 in its entirety. Find your Florida representative now.
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CSC NEWS
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Children's
Board Uses Online Radio to Inform the Community About Children's Issues
 CBHC Radio is a 24/7 Internet radio
station of the Children's Board of Hillsborough County. Listeners can
tune in to CBHC Radio to hear programming that regularly includes book
shows, classical music and discussions from the national "Best of
Our Knowledge" and "51 Percent" shows. Programs repeat
every four hours. The featured program from July 1 to July 9 is the
Imagination Library. Go to the CBHC web site for more information.
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NET DATA
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Office
of Economic and Demographic Research Provides Economic Overview of
Florida
In a recent report, the Office of Economic and Demographic Research
offered some sobering details on the current state of Florida's
economy. Read the report.
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EVENTS
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One Goal Summer Conference Set for
July 22-24
The "One Goal: Building the Future Together" conference
is scheduled for July 22-24, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Tampa City
Center. The conference brings together more than 1,000 early education
and care providers and leaders from around the state. It is designed to
share information on best practices in the field and to build common
frameworks of knowledge and understanding to assist in unified planning
for young children and their families. For more information, go to www.onegoalsummerconference.org/.
FAN Hosting
Statewide Seminars on Standards for Quality Afterschool Programs
The Florida
Afterschool Network (FAN) has received a sponsorship from the Agency
for Workforce Innovation's Office of Early Learning to host 15 regional
seminars throughout Florida. The seminars will feature The Florida
Standards for Quality Afterschool Programs. Learn more, or register now.
22nd Annual
National Independent Living Conference in Nashville
The Daniel
Memorial Institute presents "Growing Pains 2009," on Sept.
1-4, 2009, in Nashville, TN. The conference is a must-attend event for
youth service professionals, independent living professionals and youth
ages 15 and older. Presenters include top leaders and experts in the
field of independent living. The national youth conference features
special sessions dedicated to the needs of youth who are currently in
care. These include training sessions, workshops, panel discussions and
leadership/team building activities. Visit the Daniel Memorial
Institute web site for more
information.
Florida
Coalition for Children to Hold Annual Conference in October
The Florida Coalition for Children is holding its 2009
conference with a focus on "Protecting & Preserving Florida's
Most Valuable Resource - Our Children and Families." The event
will take place October 12-14, 2009, in Orlando at Rosen Shingle Creek.
Register by Sept. 15 and save. For more information, visit the Florida Coalition for
Children web site.
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