Building safe and supportive neighborhoods through a community-based approach

April 2008

ILAACP News

Dear ILAACP E-News Bulletin Subscriber -

When the Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention was established in December of 2005, many of us expressed our concerns with the lack of an African-American voice and presence in the macro-level design, implementation, and evaluation of early intervention and prevention programs, policies, and systems. These concerns are, of course, warranted because research demonstrates that cultural relevancy and receptiveness play critical roles in determining an intervention's positive outcomes. Though our state, and the nation as a whole, has a long way to go before we achieve a more inclusive and equitable approach to problem solving and resource allocation in our field, I'm pleased to report that we've made some progress.

Over the last several months, the ILAACP has been working diligently in collaboration with receptive institutions on a number of dynamic initiatives. These initiatives afford us a valuable opportunity to help shape our state's approach to building healthier African-American communities. They include the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority's Choose Respect Illinois program, Chicago Foundation for Women's What Will Take? Community Voices research project, and the Aetna and Illinois General Assembly's Unnatural Causes Public Hearings in June.

The ILAACP has also been busy partnering with other statewide advocacy organizations on a variety of policy-related projects. As a member of the After-school Funding Policy Taskforce, we're working with a diverse coalition of providers to develop a strategy that permanently funds after and out of school programs. Through our participation on the Statewide Collaborative for Prevention Advocacy, we've been working with the Heartland Alliance to advocate for the creation of an Illinois Commission on Children & Youth. And, as a member of the Illinois Public Health Institute's Steering Committee, we're providing guidance on the Illinois Health Data Dissemination Initiative (IHDDI) which focuses on re-engineering our state's data dissemination system.

Finally, I'm elated to report that with support from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Community Health & Prevention, the ILAACP is launching its own statewide, grant-making initiative. The Youth In Prevention program will provide $60,000 in grants to community based organizations that design and implement a youth-led project to address a number of social and health disparities negatively impacting African American communities throughout Illinois.

To learn more about this initiative and other ILAACP happenings, please visit us at www.ilaacp.org.

Sincerely,

Malik S. Nevels, J.D.
Executive Director

Grant Opportunities

ILAACP Youth in Prevention Mini-Grant
This initiative is a $60,000 statewide, grant-making initiative providing 12 grassroots organizations with a mini-grant of up to $5,000 to design and implement an innovative, youth-led advocacy project. The email of intent is due April 17th, 2008. May 1, 2008 is the application deadline.

SAMHSA STOP Act Grant
The purpose of this program is to prevent and reduce alcohol use among youth in communities throughout the United States. Nearly $4 million is available to fund up to 80 grant awards. April 24, 2008 is the application deadline.

Go Overboard Challenge Grant
The Go Overboard Challenge Grant is searching for youth-led ideas focused on changing the world. The best ideas will win one of the many grants of up to $1000 each. May 1, 2008 is the application deadline.

Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program
This program seeks to increase public safety through innovative cross-system collaboration for individuals with mental illness who come into contact with the criminal or juvenile justice systems. Each application must demonstrate that the proposed cooperative project will be administered jointly by a mental health agency and a unit of government with responsibility for criminal or juvenile justice activities. May 6, 2008 is the application deadline.

Breakthrough Schools
The MetLife Foundation and the National Association of Secondary School Principals are seeking high-achieving middle level and high schools whose best practices and outstanding results can inform other schools in their school improvement efforts. Each Breakthrough School will receive a $5,000 grant. May 15, 2008 is the application deadline.

2008 Family Planning Services
The purpose of this program is to establish and operate voluntary family planning services projects, which shall provide family planning services to all persons desiring such services, including clinical family planning and related preventive health services; information, education, and counseling related to family planning; and, referral services. June 1, 2008 is the application deadline.

News & Resources

$18 Million Grant Supports Chicago Middle-School Students
To increase the success of middle-school students in Chicago and bolster their chances of graduating high school, The Atlantic Philanthropies, an international foundation with a focus on children and youth, will award a major grant to Chicago Public Schools to support a five-school effort over four years. Please click here for the full article.

Gov. Blagojevich Announces Bipartisan Delegation for National Early Childhood Discussion
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced that a bipartisan team of Illinois educators, legislators, and foundation leaders has been selected to participate in the National Symposium on Early Childhood Science and Policy, to be held at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., on Thursday, June 26 and Friday, June 27. For the full announcement please click here.

One in 4 Teen Girls Has an STI
More than 3 million teenaged girls have at least one sexually transmitted infection (STI), a new government study suggests. The most severely affected are African-American teens. In fact, 48 percent of African-American teenaged girls have an STI, compared with 20 percent of white teenaged girls. Please click here for the full article.

First Lady Patricia Blagojevich launches Child Abuse Prevention Month in Illinois
First Lady Patricia Blagojevich today applauded the collaboration of state and community-based initiatives as the key to supporting families and preventing child abuse, as Governor Rod R. Blagojevich proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Illinois. In partnership with Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, over 100 events throughout April will call attention to effective prevention efforts in communities across the state. For the full press release, please click here.

Insitutional Services for Children with DD, SMI, and SED
The first bi-annual report Institutional Services for Children with Developmental Disabilities, Severe Mental Illness, and Severe Emotional Disorders is now available at the DHS website.

Social Media Webinar Series
CADCA's National Coalition Institute will host a new three-part series of Webinars focusing on the ways that community anti-drug coalitions can use social media to enhance their day-to-day work. The first session will be held Thursday, April 17, 2008. To register or for more information on the CADCA National Coalition Institute's Webinar Series, visit the Webinar Series page of the Institute's website.

Conducting Community Based Participatory Research
This seminar will focus on balancing the goals of social justice, community well-being, and first rate science, as well as developing a "community of practice" and other strategies for advancing community based participatory research. Tuesday, April 22, 2008. 2 - 3pm. UIC School of Public Health, 1603 W Taylor St, Room 932. Please email Cynthia Boyd at cboyd@uic.edu for more info.

Free Training on Addressing Youth Violence
The departments of Trauma and Emergency Medicine at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County are offering a free training on addressing youth violence. This training is open to all health care and human service providers. Wednesday, April 23, 2008 or Wednesday, April 30, 2008. UIC School of Public Health, 2121 W Taylor, Room 121. Please register by April 18 2008. For more information, contact Samuel Garcia at 312.864.2735.

501(c)(3) Tax Exemption: Creating a Charity - The Process and the Law
Attendees will gain in-depth knowledge about the legal and practical requirements for starting a not for profit Illinois corporation and obtaining federal income tax exemption. Registration form available on www.cedlp.org; click on "Upcoming Events". For all the details please contact Erica Spangler Raz at espanglerraz@cedlp.org or 312.939.3638. Wednesday, April 29, 2008. 5:15 - 7:30pm.

Illinois Center for Violence Prevention - Positive Youth Development Training
This training will familiarize participants with the theory and practice of positive youth development. Participants will juxtapose their own perceptions of positive youth development against a youth-centered perspective and deconstruct some of the myths surrounding how to effectively work with youth. Wednesday, April 30, 2008. 9:30am-12:30pm. ICVP, 70 E Lake St, Suite 720, Chicago. To register, please download the form here. For more info., call 312.986.9200.

Summer Food Service Program
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is designed to provide nutritious meals during summer months to children from areas where at least 50 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals during the school year through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. If you would like to sponsor a program in your area, become a vendor, or volunteer your time, please register for a training at the SFSP website: http://www.isbe.net/nutrition. The next training will be Monday, May 19, 2008 in Springfield, IL. For additional information, contact Amy Bianco, Nutrition Division, at 1-800-545-7892 or e-mail cnp@isbe.net.

Legislative Watch

HB146 Care of Students with Diabetes
Requires the development and implementation of diabetes management and treatment plans for students in school and all school-related activities.

HB4456 Illinois Commission on Children and Youth
Creates the Illinois Commission on Children and Youth to work collaboratively and strategically across diverse service delivery systems and develop a 5-year strategic plan for providing services to children, youth and young adults.

HB4654 School Based Health Center Appropriations
Appropriates $5 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for the operation of school-based health centers under the Division of Community Health & Prevention.

HB5716 & SB2056 Human Service Index
Provides GRF funds for an annual 3% cost of doing business adjustments for community based organizations that contract with DHS, DCFS, DHFS, IDPH and other state agencies to provide social services.

HB5905 Foster Parent Reimbursement/Cost of Care
Requires DCFS to provide an additional $24 million for foster parent expense reimbursement - approximately $145 per month per child - in FY'09.

SB2012 Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Creates a statewide task force that will make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly on reforming the delivery system to more effectively prevent chronic disease and promote health.

SB2150 Public Health Sexually Transmitted Infection
Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to allow, but not mandate, health care providers to use expedited partner therapy, which would permit doctors to give antibiotics to the partners of people who have been newly diagnosed with STIs such as chalmydia or gonorrhea.

SB2341 Chronic Kidney Disease
Appropriates $250,000 to the Department of Public Health from the General Revenue Fund for a Chronic Kidney Disease Awareness, Testing, Diagnosis and Treatment Program.

SB2361 Foster Parent Cost of Care
Seeks to establish a methodology to fund an increase in the cost of care reimbursement rate that DCFS will pay to foster parents for fiscal year 2009.

SB 2505 Residential Care Services
Provides for collaboration between DCFS and representatives of voluntary residential services providers to develop a performance-based contract model that will fully fund the cost of care provided by residential services providers. DCFS will work with other State agencies to develop program requirements and rates based on the same model.

Events

Come Meet Winnebago County's Black Doctors
Presented by the Black Healthcare Initiative Coalition, "Come Meet the Black Doctors" will highlight local African-American physicians, promote resource sharing and networking, and focus on building trust between physicians, patients, and potential patients. Friday, April 11, 2008. 5:30 - 8:30pm. Giovannis Restaurant, 610 N Bell School Rd, Rockford, IL. For more info., please contact Willie Parham - 815.262.8071, blackhealthcare@hotmail.com.

Unnatural Causes:Is Inequality Making Us Sick?
Unnatural Causes is a four hour series that for the first time on television sounds the alarm about our huge socioeconomic and racial disparities in health and searches for their causes. This documentary will be aired on PBS Ch. 11 every Sunday in the month of April at 1pm for one hour. There are 3 dates left: Sunday April 13th, 20th, 27th at 1pm. For more information, visit the website: http://www.unnaturalcauses.org.

April Artifacts Fundraiser
Chicago Foundation for Women's African American Leadership Council invites you to this spring kickoff, to benefit the council's grantmaking through the Sojourner Fund. The event will feature a presentation from Alternatives, Inc., who received a 2007 grant from the Sojourner Fund for the young women's program "My Sista's Keeper." Thursday, April 17, 2008. Please click here for registration and detailed event information.

IALHEA Conferences
The Illinois African American and Latino Higher Education Alliance will hold a series of conferences in April, focusing on youth leadership and professional development around diversity and social justice in education. The Student Leadership Conference will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2008, from 8am to 3:30 pm. The Professional Development Conference will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2008, from 8am to 5:30pm. Both events will be held at UIC, The Forum, 725 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago. To register and for more info., please visit www.ialhea.org.

HIV/AIDS Open Discussion for African-American Women
South Central Community Services, Inc. presents "I Luv Me More," a free and open discussion for African-American women ages 18-30 about HIV & AIDS. Thursday, April 24, 2008. 6 - 9pm. South Central Wellness Center, 8545 South Cottage Grove, Chicago. To register call, 773.483.0900.

She Speaks Volumes Poetry Slam Event
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago will be hosting it's third annual "She Speaks Volumes Poetry Slam Event", in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Thursday, April 24, 2008. 6 - 8pm. Alhambra Palace , 1240 W. Randolph, Chicago. For tickets and event details, please visit the YWCA website.

New Beginnings in the Community
Access Community Health Network and Jackson Park Hospital invite you to "New Beginnings in the Community," a collaboration reception at the Gary Comer Youth Center, 7200 South Ingleside. Wednesday, April 29, 2008. 11am - 1pm. Free to community residents. Please RSVP by April 15th to Shari McKinley at 773.257.2094 or mcksha@accesscommunityhealth.net.

20th Annual State of Minorities Training Conference
The Illinois Association of Minorities in Government (IAMG) is hosting its 20th Annual "State of Minorities Training Conference." May 7 - 9, 2008. Père Marquette Hotel, Peoria, IL. For registration and conference information please contact the IAMG office at 217.753.1077.

Stand Against Cancer - Pin a Sister Sunday 2008
As part of its Breast Cancer Awareness activities, the State of Illinois, in connection with Access Community Network, has organized the Stand Against Cancer Program's "Pin a Sister Sunday." Hundreds of Illinois-area churches are invited to participate this Mother's Day to signify their support in the battle against breast cancer, and to address the need to end the associated health care disparity affecting African-American and Latino women. Please contact Tina Wilkins at 217.558.1029 for more detailed information. Sunday, May 11, 2008.

ICASA Statewide Sexual Assault Conference
Annual conference of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault includes the presentation of the Moxie Awards. May 19-21, 2008. Crowne Plaza, Springfield, IL. For more information please call 217.753.4117.

Cancer Survivors' Celebration and Walk
The Celebration and Walk is the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University's salute to cancer survivors and the strides being made in treatment and research. No pledges are required for the 4-mile walk which begins in Chicago's Grant Park. A picnic lunch, entertainment, t-shirt, kids' corner and dedication wall are all included with registration, which is available online at www.cancer.northwestern.edu or 312.695.1304. June 1, 2008.

George Washington Carver Field Museum Exhibition
Best known for his work with the peanut plant, George Washington Carver became a legend in his own time. Discover the life and work of an extraordinary man, born into slavery, who used his gifts to become a groundbreaking scientist, educator, and humanitarian with a lifelong mission: to bring practical knowledge to those in need. Visit the Field Museum's on exhibition on Dr. Carver which will be running through July 2008. Please visit the Field Museum website for more info.

Job Opportunities

Lewis University - ED of Major Gifts
Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement, the Executive Director of Major Gifts will be responsible for the overall planning and implementation of a comprehensive major gift and stewardship program. This position will serve as the team leader for all major gift activity of the University. Please click here for more details.

Humanitarian Service Project - Resource Development & Project Manager
The position is responsible for developing resources for the successful implementation of our mission and assisting the Director in day-to-day operations. Resources include sponsorships, corporate and community organization support, general donations, grants, gifts-in-kind, and volunteers. Please click here for more info.

La Rabida Children's Hospital - VP of Development
La Rabida seeks a Vice President of Development to expand its philanthropy program. This person will provide leadership and vision for the hospital's development initiatives, including building long-range plans, overseeing all fundraising activities, and evaluating progress at appropriate intervals. For more info., please click here.

Heartland Alliance - Employment Placement Coordinator
We are seeking Employment Placement Coordinators to promote and market our services throughout the Chicago area. An EPC will develop and implement marketing strategies, provide analyses of employment service providers and develop and maintain a network of employers; all while working with a team of direct-service staff to ensure that participant needs are continually being met. For more details please click here.

NPR - Director of Foundation and Government Funding
National Public Radio, Inc. (NPR) seeks a creative Director of Foundation and Government Funding to shape and implement the advancement strategy for one of this country's most trusted institutions. Working closely with NPR senior staff, the Director will strengthen a comprehensive foundation and government funding program, enabling NPR and its member stations to continue to innovate and succeed in the digital age. Please click here for more info.

East Village Youth Program - Program Coordinator
The Program Coordinator is responsible for coordinating activities and services at two sites for elementary students in grades six through eight and for the tutor and volunteer program, as well as being responsible for supporting community outreach programs. Please click here for more details.

Taproot Foundation - Executive Director
Taproot Foundation is seeking a dynamic Executive Director - Central Region. Based in Chicago and working from Toronto to Texas, you will be set up for success with a strong support structure to do what you do best in an external role, creating partnerships with foundations and companies who will share a bold vision. For more details about this position please click here.

Youth Outreach Services - Program Coordinator
Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Program Coordinator will be responsible for the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of creative program services, facilitating activities that engage, reward and maintain youth involvement, direct tutoring and homework assistance. Please click here for more info.

Stateway Community Partners - Employment Case Manager
We currently seek a seasoned case management professional with workforce development experience to provide case management, screening, assessment, and long term follow up to individuals participating in SCP's Career Program. For more details, please click here.

Careers in Nonprofits - Manager, Development
This position's responsibilities include managing, analyzing, implementing, and recommending changes to various programs within the organization. Providing assistance to the Director with Planned and major Gifts. Assisting in the overall achievement of long and short-term goals and mission of the department. For more information about this opportunity, please click here.

The Youth Campus - Program Coordinator
The primary function of the youth coordinator will be to supervise 7-8 staff members in a Residential Home to facilitate effective and professional care for youth. Please click here for more details about this position.

ABJ Community Services
ABJ is currently accepting applications for qualified, caring individuals to join us in providing quality services to our clients. Multiple positions are available. For a full list of job opportunities please visit http://www.abj.org/html/career.html

Volunteer Opportunity!
Power Hour - Can you tutor 1 child, 1 day a week (Thurs), from 12noon - 1pm? If so contact Christina Armstrong at christina.armstrong@uchospitals.edu.

An ILAACP Member You Should Know...

Join ILAACP

Imagine how our families, work, and communities would be transformed if you had a voice in a powerful coalition of early intervention and prevention practitioners and other stakeholders who advocate policy change, facilitate resource sharing, and offer professional development opportunities. Envision joining forces with leaders from around the state to build a new prevention and early intervention reality. Welcome to the Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention.

To learn more about ILAACP membership, please click here. To join or renew your membership, please download the membership application, or contact us at 312.850.4444 or ilaacp@illaacp.org