Legislative Call to Action
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URGE YOUR SENATORS TO ACT ON CHILD NUTRITION BILL TAKE ACTION ON S. 3307 NOW!!! On March 24th, the Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously passed S. 3307, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, moving it to be taken up by the full Senate. However, this bill has yet to be adopted, and time is rapidly running out to pass this important piece of legislation before the programs expire in September. This bipartisan bill updates and improves a number of critical child nutrition programs, including school breakfasts and lunches. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act takes many critical steps toward alleviating child hunger and supporting the health and wellness of our nation’s children. This bill contains common-sense measures that will increase access to critical nutrition programs, increase the quality of foods served in schools, and provide the resources, tools, and training necessary to accomplish these goals. If the Senate does not make this issue a priority and act on this legislation soon, then all these improvements will be lost. There is still time to contact your Senator. Take Action Today! What you can do: Contact your Senators today and urge them to pass S. 3307 at http://capwiz.com/npta2/home/
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PRESIDENT'S EDUCATION BUDGET ELIMINATES SOLE FEDERAL PARENT ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM
We have a serious situation requiring a major call-to-action. President Obama's new budget proposes to consolidate and eliminate the Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs). Consolidation of the PIRCs will eliminate the only federal program dedicated to family engagement, which serves 16.4 million parents. The proposed FY11 budget would eliminate 62 PIRCs impacting every state and territory. This program elimination affects all PTAs and parents.
Parents need PIRCs. You can help! Please urge the Obama Administration, both of your Senators and Representative not to eliminate PIRCs.
Also - Please email this alert to at least 6 friends, send the alert through your state newsletters, and post the alert on your state PTA website.
PTA’s Take Action Center makes it easy for you to send this alert, within a few minutes.
Become Involved!
It is our hope that you and your PTA unit members participate in the political process, since your community leadership directly impacts the quality of life of your children. How can you
participate? Follow the links on this page...
Here's What's Happening...
The Afterschool Alliance initiated the Roadmap to Afterschool for All - a scientific study that for the first time assesses the current investment in afterschool programs from the public sector, parents, foundations and businesses, and estimates the additional investment needed from each sector to provide quality afterschool programs for all children. Read the Roadmap to Afterschool for All
Visit the Afterschool Alliance Website
Visit the CT After School Network Website
Schools Breakfast
Program Participation Grants
Increasing the number of children eating breakfast at school to start their day right is the goal of a new grant program. Action for Healthy Kids, with generous support from Kellogg’s Corporate
Citizenship Fund, is offering grants to schools that currently participate in the School Breakfast Program with greater than 50 percent eligibility for free and reduced-price meals. The goal is to
increase their average daily student participation by 25 percent.
Referendums & PTA
PTA’s nonprofit status limits the kind of political action we can take. We can never , under any circumstances, support an individual candidate for any elected position. When it comes to ballot
initiatives and referendums, however the rules are a little fuzzy.
Non-Partisan Boards of Education
Guilford PTA has been working with Senator Ed Meyer to introduce Senate Bill #259 which provides CT towns the ability to amend their charters as it relates to Board of Education election
protocol/procedures.
Lead screening changes take effect January 1, 2009
Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, state law will require health care providers to screen children for lead poisoning annually, up to 36 months of age. At the same time, local health directors will be required
to perform property inspections whenever they find that a child’s blood-lead level has reached 15 micrograms per deciliter. Currently, inspections are required for readings of 20 ug//dl or
higher.
Read the text of the law (PDF) | Lead section of the Connecticut
Commission on Children's website
The Children's Trust Fund
Staff is providing 45-minute presentations, free of charge, to any middle school in the state regarding The Stranger We Know (A Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
Program).
The State Dept. of Public Health's Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control
Program
The goal of the Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program (LPPCP) is to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Connecticut by the year 2010. Underlying objectives are to protect the health and
safety of the people of Connecticut, to prevent lead poisoning and to promote wellness through a wide range of lead poisoning prevention strategies. More Info>>
Results from a 2008 review of the content of district School Wellness Policies
The review was conducted using a school wellness policy assessment tool developed by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) in partnership with the Rudd Center for Food Policy &
Obesity at Yale University.
State Dept. of Education - Action Guide for School Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies
This guide provides comprehensive guidance for school districts on developing and implementing local policies to promote healthy eating and physical activity.
Upcoming Governor's Prevention Partnership workshops
Putting together a Wellness Committee in your school?
Check out the Healthy Eating Active Living Resource Toolkit
Holding a Candidate Forum?
Important Information for PTAs
