PICO National Network | Unlocking the Power of People
PICO Network News
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 at http://ga3.org/ct/D1_svVd1Amm_/
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
http://ga3.org/ct/K7_svVd1Amms/
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 at
http://ga3.org/ct/H1_svVd1AmjQ/
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 at http://ga3.org/ct/F7_svVd1AmjK/
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. For more
information visit http://ga3.org/ct/K1_svVd1Amm2/
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 at http://ga3.org/ct/Fp_svVd1AmjZ/
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 at http://ga3.org/ct/-1_svVd1AmjV/
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 for low and moderate-income
families in the Parramore section of the city. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/J7_svVd1AmmS/
Housing Initiative on California Ballot
On November 7, California voters will have an opportunity to
approve Prop 1C, a statewide bond initiative that would fund the
Housing Trust Fund with $2.85 billion to support development
and improvement of housing for low-income seniors, the disabled,
battered women, veterans and low-income families. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/Jp_svVd1AmmL/
Rebuilding Louisiana
Mayor Nagin agrees to End Dumping at Controversial Landfill
All Congregations Together (ACT) and its local and national
partners won a commitment from New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin to
close the Chef Menteur Landfill by August 14, 2006. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/F1_svVd1AmjJ/
Senator Barack Obama Speaks at Interfaith Service
All Congregations Together (ACT) and PICO Louisiana (Louisiana
Interfaiths Together) co-hosted an interfaith service with
Illinois Senator Barack Obama at St. Peter Claver Catholic
Church in New Orleans on Friday, July 21. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/Fd_svVd1AmjD/
Housing Funding for Katrina Victims
PICO organizations in Louisiana and throughout the country
helped lead a successful effort this spring to win federal
support for rebuilding housing in Louisiana. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/G7_svVd1AmjF/
IMMIGRATION
Youth Leaders Push American Dream Act for Immigrant Students
Youth leaders of Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community
Organizing (CCISCO) have launched a grassroots campaign to
support the higher education goals of immigrant students. Read
more at http://ga3.org/ct/-d_svVd1AmjC/
New Soccer Parks for Immigrant Youth in Kansas City
Kansas City Church Community Organization (CCO) won a commitment
to build 10 new soccer parks for youth and adults in Northeast
Kansas City. Read more at http://ga3.org/ct/Gp_svVd1Amj-/
PICO federations throughout the country are organizing to
strengthen immigrant leadership, address issues facing immigrant
communities and repair a broken immigration system. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/Tp_svVd1AmjP/
BETTER NEIGHBORHOODS
Anchorage addressed after-school needs of youth
Leaders from Anchorage Faith and Action Congregations Together
(AFACT) at Central Lutheran Church won a commitment from the
City of Anchorage, to create after-school opportunities for
elementary school children living in West Fairview. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/-7_svVd1Amm1/
Melbourne, FL Restores Park, Neighborhood Safety
Melbourne nears completion of a three-year park restoration
project spurred on by Congregations for Civic Action. Read more
at http://ga3.org/ct/J1_svVd1Amma/
Community Leaders Fight for Better Postal Service in Brooklyn
Community Action Project (CAP) in Brooklyn held a town meeting
with the Flatbush Postal Office asking to improve postal
services. Read more at http://ga3.org/ct/-p_svVd1Ammq/
Coachella, CA Council Members Agree to Park Changes
Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC) held a community
action meeting with over 300 people asking council members for
better park services for youth. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/Jd_svVd1Ammz/
Job Opportunities
PICO is looking for creative and talented people interested in
exploring community organizing as a professional career. Visit
http://ga3.org/ct/Yd_svVd1Amjk/ for a current list of job
opportunities.
PICO needs your financial support!
PICO's success in empowering families and improving communities
depends on financial contributions from our donors. To help
support our work on the issues you've read about in this issue
of e-news and others, visit http://ga3.org/ct/Dp_svVd1AmmN/ to
make an on-line donation.
The PICO National Network
171 Santa Rosa Avenue
Oakland, California 94610
510 655 4816
PICO Network News
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 at http://ga3.org/ct/D1_svVd1Amm_/
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
http://ga3.org/ct/K7_svVd1Amms/
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 at
http://ga3.org/ct/H1_svVd1AmjQ/
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 at http://ga3.org/ct/F7_svVd1AmjK/
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. For more
information visit http://ga3.org/ct/K1_svVd1Amm2/
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 at http://ga3.org/ct/Fp_svVd1AmjZ/
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 at http://ga3.org/ct/-1_svVd1AmjV/
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 for low and moderate-income
families in the Parramore section of the city. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/J7_svVd1AmmS/
Housing Initiative on California Ballot
On November 7, California voters will have an opportunity to
approve Prop 1C, a statewide bond initiative that would fund the
Housing Trust Fund with $2.85 billion to support development
and improvement of housing for low-income seniors, the disabled,
battered women, veterans and low-income families. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/Jp_svVd1AmmL/
Rebuilding Louisiana
Mayor Nagin agrees to End Dumping at Controversial Landfill
All Congregations Together (ACT) and its local and national
partners won a commitment from New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin to
close the Chef Menteur Landfill by August 14, 2006. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/F1_svVd1AmjJ/
Senator Barack Obama Speaks at Interfaith Service
All Congregations Together (ACT) and PICO Louisiana (Louisiana
Interfaiths Together) co-hosted an interfaith service with
Illinois Senator Barack Obama at St. Peter Claver Catholic
Church in New Orleans on Friday, July 21. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/Fd_svVd1AmjD/
Housing Funding for Katrina Victims
PICO organizations in Louisiana and throughout the country
helped lead a successful effort this spring to win federal
support for rebuilding housing in Louisiana. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/G7_svVd1AmjF/
IMMIGRATION
Youth Leaders Push American Dream Act for Immigrant Students
Youth leaders of Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community
Organizing (CCISCO) have launched a grassroots campaign to
support the higher education goals of immigrant students. Read
more at http://ga3.org/ct/-d_svVd1AmjC/
New Soccer Parks for Immigrant Youth in Kansas City
Kansas City Church Community Organization (CCO) won a commitment
to build 10 new soccer parks for youth and adults in Northeast
Kansas City. Read more at http://ga3.org/ct/Gp_svVd1Amj-/
PICO federations throughout the country are organizing to
strengthen immigrant leadership, address issues facing immigrant
communities and repair a broken immigration system. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/Tp_svVd1AmjP/
BETTER NEIGHBORHOODS
Anchorage addressed after-school needs of youth
Leaders from Anchorage Faith and Action Congregations Together
(AFACT) at Central Lutheran Church won a commitment from the
City of Anchorage, to create after-school opportunities for
elementary school children living in West Fairview. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/-7_svVd1Amm1/
Melbourne, FL Restores Park, Neighborhood Safety
Melbourne nears completion of a three-year park restoration
project spurred on by Congregations for Civic Action. Read more
at http://ga3.org/ct/J1_svVd1Amma/
Community Leaders Fight for Better Postal Service in Brooklyn
Community Action Project (CAP) in Brooklyn held a town meeting
with the Flatbush Postal Office asking to improve postal
services. Read more at http://ga3.org/ct/-p_svVd1Ammq/
Coachella, CA Council Members Agree to Park Changes
Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC) held a community
action meeting with over 300 people asking council members for
better park services for youth. Read more at
http://ga3.org/ct/Jd_svVd1Ammz/
Job Opportunities
PICO is looking for creative and talented people interested in
exploring community organizing as a professional career. Visit
http://ga3.org/ct/Yd_svVd1Amjk/ for a current list of job
opportunities.
PICO needs your financial support!
PICO's success in empowering families and improving communities
depends on financial contributions from our donors. To help
support our work on the issues you've read about in this issue
of e-news and others, visit http://ga3.org/ct/Dp_svVd1AmmN/ to
make an on-line donation.
The PICO National Network
171 Santa Rosa Avenue
Oakland, California 94610
510 655 4816
PICO Network News
August 9, 2006
August 9, 2006