Building safe and supportive neighborhoods through a community-based approach

E-News Bulletin April 2009

Dear E-News Bulletin Subscriber,

The ILAACP would like to thank representatives from our member organizations who participated in our inaugural Capitol Day in Springfield, IL, March 24-26th. By all accounts, it was a very successful event.

We also want to thank Citizens Action IL, Voices for IL Children, Ounce of Prevention Fund, Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, IL Center for Violence Prevention, IL Department of Public Health, Respiratory Health Association of Metro Chicago, and the IL State Treasurer’s Office for volunteering your time and presenting valuable information and tools that our members can use to strengthen their advocacy efforts.

Lastly, we want to thank our sponsors Merck & Co., Pfizer, Jewel-Osco, Astra-Zeneca,
and Lilly. We look forward to an even more powerful Capitol Day next year.

Sincerely,

Malik S. Nevels, J.D.
Executive Director

Save the Date: ILAACP Quarterly Meeting - April 23, 2009
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Terry Mason, Commissioner, Chgo Dept. of Public Health

• U.S. Recovery Act Local Youth Mentoring Initiative
• President Obama Declares April Sexual Assualt Awareness Month
• Governor Proposes Positive Tax Reform but Cuts Human Services
• Job Opportunities: ILAACP is Hiring!
  
• Events: DHS Critical Issues Impacting Our Youth Conference
• An ILAACP Member You Should Know: Le Penseur Youth & Family Services
  

Governor Proposes Positive Tax Reform but Cuts Human Services
While Governor Quinn's FY2010 Budget Proposal includes tax reforms to reduce the burden on poor and working families, it also includes harmful cuts to the programs and services that vulnerable people across the state rely on to make ends meet - programs such as supportive housing, mental health and addictions treatment, HIV/AIDS programs, youth services, and other vital social services. Please click here to find out how you can take action on this important issue.

After-School Funding Restoration
The proposed FY2010 budget eliminates more than $12 million in funding for after-school programs in Illinois (which include Teen REACH, After School Matters, and other after-school & student support programs). These cuts will negatively impact the lives of thousands of children and working families across the state unless the funding for after-school programs is restored. Please contact your state legislators to ask that they ensure funding restoration. Click here for an article on the overall cuts to Education in Illinois.

Obesity Prevention Initiative Update
HB3767, which would require the Illinois Department of Public Health to hold at least six public hearings on the health effects of obesity, the costs of obesity to the health care system and society,and the need to address the obesity epidemic with community, policy and individual health behavior change, passed the Illinois House on April 2, 2009. As the bill now moves to the Senate, the Illinois Public Health Institute will continue working on the bill, making adjustments and amendments as needed. For more details on the development of this legislation and how you can support it, please contact Jim Harvey at 312.850.4744 ext. 16.

Increase Funding for the Early Childhood Block Grant
SB1412 will increase the Infant Toddler Set-Aside in the Early Childhood Block Grant from 11% to 20% by FY2014 through a multi-year phase in. This will assist Early Childhood Education providers in more effectively addressing the achievement gap and continuing to help children succeed as they enter school.

Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit Expansion
HB2319 and SB1562 would gradually increase the Illinois EITC over the next two years to assist struggling working families and provide communities with more of the support that they need.

U.S. Recovery Act Local Youth Mentoring Initiative
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will be providing funding to support local organizations that develop, implement, or expand local mentoring programs leading to measurable, positive outcomes for at-risk youth. $500K per award is available for a project period of up to 4 years. The application deadline is April 20, 2009.

Family Centered Substance Abuse Treatment for Youth & Families
The purpose of this program is to provide substance abuse services to adolescents, their families/primary caregivers and older transition age youth and where appropriate, any significant others/mentors or other appropriate adults. Up to $300K is available in funding. The application deadline is April 24, 2009.

Project LAUNCH:Children's Health
The purpose of Project LAUNCH is to promote the wellness of young children, birth to 8 years of age. Eligible applicants are State and Territorial governments and federally recognized American Indian/Alaska Native Tribes and Tribal organizations. Up to $850K is available in funding. The application deadline is May 20, 2009.

National Grant Program for Young People with Disablities
Through its National Grant program, the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation provides funding to nonprofit organizations that are working toward the full inclusion of young people (newborn to early 20s) with disabilities in society. Proposed projects should be national in scope and have the potential to be replicated at multiple sites. A major program emphasis is inclusion -- enabling young people with disabilities to have full access to educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities and to participate alongside their non-disabled peers. Concept Papers are due June 1, 2009.

Aetna Foundation Regional Community Health Grants Program
Aetna and the Aetna Foundation will award grants for philanthropic initiatives focused on Obesity and Health Literacy. Grant requests ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 will be considered. The application deadline is June 15, 2009.

Peaceful Pathways: Reducing Exposure to Violence
Through this special solicitation from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Funding Partnerships, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation partners with diversity focused funders and other local grantmakers to fund projects to reduce violence in specific communities such as those defined by race, ethnicity, tribe, gender, sexual identity or rural/frontier location. Up to $250K is available in funding. Applications may be submitted at any time throughout 2009.

Health Care Disparities Grant Program
The goal of The Commonwealth Fund's Program on Health Care Disparities is to improve the quality of health care delivered to low-income and minority Americans, and to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Office Depot Foundation's Children & Community Grants
The Foundation's funding focus includes "Making a Difference in Children's Lives" (to support activities that serve, teach, and inspire children, youth, and families) and "Building Communities" (to support activities that serve the needs of the community). The majority of grants issued are in the vicinity of $1000 with a maximum of $10K. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

President Obama Declares April Sexual Assualt Awareness Month
On April 8, 2009, President Obama declared April Sexual Assault Awareness Month to help victims, bring attention to the crimes and prevent future crimes. Calling sexual assault "pervasive" in the United States -- 18 percent of women reported being raped at some point in their lifetime -- Obama stressed that such attacks not only take their toll on the victims, but the family, friends and others, as well. To view the official Presidential Proclamation, please click here. To find out about events happening in your area, please visit the following links:
http://www.nsvrc.org/saam
http://www.rainn.org/about-rainn/events
http://www.rapevictimadvocates.org/PDF/SAAMCalendar&Overview2009.pdf

The Illinois Department of Public Health Recognizes Minority Health Month in Conjunction with STD Awareness Month
During April, Minority Health Month and STD Awareness Month, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is teaming up with numerous organizations to address health disparities in Illinois, especially the disproportionate number of minorities impacted by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). These diseases continue to be the most commonly reported infectious diseases in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Department is helping to sponsor minority health education and screening events across Illinois during April, many of which focus on STD education and awareness. To view the full release from IDPH, please click here.

Health Equity: Focusing on Health in All Policies
Click here to read the summary of a briefing on promoting health equity through prevention prepared by the Congressional Black Caucus and The Prevention Institute.

President Obama's Budget and Its Impact on Health & Human Services
According to its mission, "The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the Federal Government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and for providing essential human services." The president's proposed budget allocates $76.8 billion to support Health and Human Services, with funding focused on Health Care Reform, Cancer Research, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment, lowering drug costs, Early Childhood Education, and stabilizing Medicare. To view these funding priorities please click here. For a general budget analysis developed by the Senate Budget Committee, click here.

Half of Black Teens May Be Vitamin D Deficient
Many teens today, especially black teens, aren't getting enough of vitamin D, the so-called sunshine vitamin that is essential for cells to function, say researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to many chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, immune system problems and inflammatory diseases. To view the full article, please click here.

Landmark Substance-Abuse Prevention Study Completed
A study released March 31 in the journal, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, by The University of Akron's Institute for Health and Social Policy (IHSP), evaluated the school-based substance use prevention program, Take Charge of Your Life (TCYL), and its effectiveness as a universal prevention intervention method. The study found that TCYL resulted in a significant decrease in marijuana use but did not have similar results for alcohol or cigarettes. To read more about the study please click here.

Illinois HIV Care Connect
Illinois HIV Care Connect is an extensive, statewide network of medical case management, health care and support services for people living with HIV. Once enrolled in Illinois HIV Care Connect, people with HIV receive confidential medical case management services at no charge, regardless of income. The website offers links to training and educational opportunities for clinicians, case managers and people with HIV; regular HIV news updates; a survey, and the opportunity to join or become involved in the HIV Care Connect network. Click here to visit the HIV Care Connect Website and find information about your region's office.

DHS Grantsmanship Training
This training is specifically designed to help participants in two key areas: Program Development and Grant Writing. Representatives from community and faith-based agencies and organizations responsible for program planning and/or grant writing should attend. Tuesday, May 12, 2009. 9:30AM - 4:30PM. Lincoln Land Community College, Millennium Center, Room 2217, 5250 Shepherd Road, Springfield, IL. To register, call Lincoln Land College, 217.786.2292 and ask for course code CEW 113-01.

ILAACP Youth Initiatives Coordinator
The Youth Initiatives Coordinator (YIC) coordinates the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority`s Youth Advisory Board (YAB), acts as a member of the Choose Respect Illinois (CRI) Staff Team, and leads the integration of all IVPA supported youth initiatives. The person in this position must be committed to and have experience in positive youth development, violence prevention and the coordination and oversight of multiple projects. For additional info. about this position, please click here.

ILAACP CRI Program Associate 1 (Part-time)
The CRI Program Associate will be primarily responsible for working in a staff team environment to coordinate Choose Respect Illinois (CRI), a statewide, grant-making initiative that incorporates a youth leadership and community supported model to promote healthy relationships through youth-led activities, awareness building, and dialogue opportunities. Please click here, to view the full details about this position.

ILAACP Bilingual CRI Program Associate 2 (Part-time)
The CRI Program Associate will be primarily responsible for working in a staff team environment to coordinate Choose Respect Illinois (CRI), a statewide, grant-making initiative that incorporates a youth leadership and community supported model to promote healthy relationships through youth-led activities, awareness building, and dialogue opportunities. Bilingual Spanish/English language proficiency is required. For more info. about this position, please click here.

ILAACP Administrative Assistant (Part-time)
The Administrative Assistant provides administrative and clerical support to the ILAACP. Please click here to view the full job description.

Chicago Community Health Local Network - Network Organizer
The Network Organizer will provide strategic support to the Network Steering Committee; guide the Network's training, advocacy and fundraising initiatives; and build collaborative relationships to advance the role of CHWs in promoting community health throughout Chicago. For more details on this position, please click here.

Children's Home + Aid - Regional Vice President
The Vice President will lead our Northern Regional programming in the communities in and around Rockford. This position entails providing leadership, direction and oversight to $ 5.3 million in programming, staffed by about 90 employees across three distinct locations. Please click here to view the full details for this position.

Howard Area Community Center - Community Health and Nutrition Coordinator
The Community Health and Nutrition Coordinator provides information, support, and training to both staff and families involved in the Family Center Program, including Home-based and Center-based programs serving prenatal families and families with children 0-5 years old. Ensures accurate medical information in client files and provides resources, referrals, and follow-up to families in need of medical attention and assistance. To view the full description for this position please click here.

Project Health - Program Manager
Project HEALTH is seeking a highly effective candidate to contribute his/her energy, passion, and skills to the growing management team of Project HEALTH's Chicago Site. This position will oversee a team of volunteers serving families in Chicago's three clinical sites. The ideal candidate will have exceptional communication skills and will ensure mutual respect and understanding among families, volunteers, and providers. Please click here for additional details about this position.

Michigan Children's Trust Fund - Executive Director
The Executive Director of the Michigan Children's Trust Fund is responsible for overall operations of Michigan CTF, a state-wide non-profit dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect, including CTF's finances, staff, monitoring Local Council activities, developing productive relationships with State Legislators, State department personnel and the Board of Directors, and developing and overseeing fundraising activities. Please click here to view the full job description.

Teen Living Programs - Program Manager
The Program Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing the development, implementation, and evaluation of Project Youth Works and TLP’s Supportive Services department. For more detials about this position, please click here.

Inner City Teaching Corps - Assistant Director/Program Coordinator
The Assistant Director/Program Coordinator is responsible, for the implementation of all logistical aspects of the VTC program, as well as the on-going development of the Volunteer Teaching Corps (VTC) communities through the building of relationships and facilitation of spiritual reflection with Support People. For more info. about this position, please click here.

International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect - Office Manager
The Office Manager will report to the Executive Director and support the Director of Finance and Operations, the Development Director, and other departments as needed. For a list of this position's specific duties, please click here.

Heartland Alliance - Manager, Transitional Jobs Program
The Manager of the Transitional Jobs Program will focus on employment efforts and programs for participants of public housing, ex-offenders, and Transitional Jobs programs within the department of Supportive Housing, Case-management, Employment, & Prevention Services. Please click here for more info. about this position.

Chicago Urban League - Executive Vice President for Program Services and Institutional Advancement
The Executive Vice President will provide energetic and entrepreneurial leadership, vision and strategic direction for the Urban League’s program services (including developing new program initiatives and maintaining existing initiatives, developing stakeholder relationships and garner new business opportunities); fund-raising (including annual giving, planned giving, major gifts, capital campaigns and corporate and foundation fund-raising); marketing, grant writing and external relations. To view more details about this position, please click here.

Brit Tzedek V'Shalom/Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace - Executive Director
The Executive Director will report to the 24-member Board of Directors and will have overall responsibility for the strategic, programmatic, fundraising and financial operations of the organization. The Executive Director will be responsible for defining priorities for the next decade, identifying necessary resources required to support the goals, and ensuring the entity’s fiscal stability and continued philanthropic support. For more details about this position, please click here.

Careers In Nonprofits, Inc. - Associate Director, Annual Giving
The Associate Director will assist in the strategy, planning and execution of Annual Giving Program. The Annual Giving team is responsible for raising approximately $1.5 million annually from individuals, through mail, phonathon, online and personal solicitations up to $25,000 in size. The Associate Director will assist in all of these efforts and take a leadership role in at least one of these areas. Please click here to view the full job description.

AIDS Legal Council of Chicago - Staff Attorney
The AIDS Legal Council of Chicago is seeking a new or experienced attorney to provide a wide range of legal services to low-income people with HIV/AIDS. This position will include a special focus on working with families impacted by HIV as part of our Family Options project. For more info. about this position, please click here.

Le Penseur Youth & Family Services, Inc.

To learn more about ILAACP membership, please contact us at 312.850.4444 or ilaacpinfo@illaacp.org