Super meaningful Mother's Day cards

Let Children’s Law Center do the hard work this Mother’s Day.   You tell us where to send a card (guaranteed to arrive by Mother’s Day on May 9th) and we’ll take care of the rest.   Your donation will help us to place an abuse child in a mother’s loving embrace.   Send a card to your mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, or friend!   But hurry – the deadline to purchase to ensure on-time delivery is Monday, May 3rd!   One card for $25; two cards for $35; three cards for $45, and four cards for $60.   Go here to view and purchase cards.

Questions?   Email Jessica Gelin.

CM Jim Graham is a Safety Net Hero!

Ward 1 CM Jim Graham recently reprimanded Mayor Fenty for closing the $500 million FY 2011 gap with regressive fees that impact the poor most of all, and by slashing funding for safety net programs that keep our communities strong.   CM Graham went on to call for a millionaire's tax to help the city generate enough revenue to invest in an economic recovery that includes all DC residents.   Save Our Safety Net has more on the CM's actions here.

Those who are most vulnerable within our society need to have the greatest protection.   Those with the greatest ability to pay, should pay more.

Exactly!

In an election year, calling for higher taxes (even only on the wealthiest) is a courageous move -- so S.O.S. is encouraging us to thank CM Graham for taking a stand!   Send a "Save Our Safety Net" email to Councilmember Graham here and thank him for being a safety net hero!

Extraordinary learning opportunity planned for late June

You are invited to participate in an extraordinary learning opportunity:   Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: Creative Applications in Community-Based Settings.

This training features leading thinkers and practitioners in the field who will guide attendees through a number of workshops designed to build skills and confidence in this effective approach to working with families.   Those who should attend this event include:

• Social workers
• School-based counselors, parent coordinators, and teachers
• Social service agency personnel
• Professionals in mediation and restorative justice
• Juvenile justice and criminal justice system professionals
• Outreach and engagement staff
• Therapists and psychologists
• Law enforcement
• Youth/gang violence prevention and intervention staff

This training institute is being held in Washington, DC from June 29 - July 2, 2010.    Professionals from across the globe will convene to improve their skills and learn from their international, national, and local peers.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is inherently strength-based and holistic in the way it engages families.   While developed initially as a therapy model, it has transferred well to many different areas of community work.   Its combination of looking forward while helping people recognize their strengths and learn from their successes is a perfect fit for the development of family plans, street-level outreach, adult reentry counseling, job readiness training, and family group conferences.   The possibilities are endless!

Please consider attending this event – it will be well worth the effort.

Child Abuse Prevention Month Activities

Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative is hosting two events in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month.   The first is being held on April 20 and the target population is parents and other caregivers.   This workshop will address a number of subjects related to children who are older than 5 years old.   The goal is to inform and equip families to address important issues.   This event is co-sponsored by the DC Rape Crisis Center.

Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative is also hosting an open house and panel discussion on parent engagement and empowerment on April 29 from 3:30 - 6:00 pm.   The target population for this event is school personnel and programs that work with schools and families.   More information is in the flier below.

April 2010 Child Abuse Prevention Workshop_English

April 2010 Child Abuse Prevention Workshop_Spanish

CHSFSCApril Open House Flyer

Rite Aid now accepts SNAP (Food Stamps)

Capital Area Food Bank recently shared the news that Rite Aid stores are accepting EBT cards.   As you know, there is a Rite Aid on the corner of 13th and U Streets, NW (1306 U Street NW).

According to a Market Watch press release, Rite Aid made this decision to "help meet the needs of its customers."   EBT cards are used in DC by those who benefit from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known previously as Food Stamps.

More from the press release:

More than 38 million Americans received food assistance through SNAP last year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is administered by the USDA and offers families and individuals at certain income levels financial assistance in purchasing food and beverages.   Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is the electronic system that allows a SNAP recipient to authorize transfer of their government benefits from a federal account to a retailer account to pay for products received.

SNAP benefit recipients are issued EBT cards that look like debit cards. Customers swipe their EBT card like a credit card at the time of the purchase and the cash register automatically deducts the eligible purchase (any food, candy or non-alcoholic beverage) from the balance on their card.   For additional details on SNAP, visit www.usda.gov.

"One in eight Americans are receiving food assistance through SNAP according to the USDA," said Brian Fiala, Rite Aid Executive Vice President, Store Operations.   "With nearly 4,800 Rite Aid stores nationwide offering assorted groceries, accepting EBT cards is just another convenience we can offer to our customers and help make their lives a little easier."

There are six Rite Aid stores located in Washington, DC.

Certainly, the more outlets accepting EBT cards, the better for residents using SNAP.   Of course the issue is the nutritional value (or lack thereof) of the food purchased in these retail outlets.

Youth subject of NWCHCA meeting panel

"Youth and Our Community" is the featured panel subject at the April 19 Northwest Columbia Heights Community Association (NWCHCA) Public Forum.   At-large CM Michael Brown is the special guest at the evening meeting.   All are welcome to attend this free meeting.   Additional information is available on the NWCHCA website.

Free HIV prevention training for African-American women

SISTA Adaptation Training is being held on April 23 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.   The training will take place at 64 New York Avenue NE on the 5th Floor; lunch will be provided.

"Sisters Informing Sisters on Topics about AIDS" (SISTA) is a group level HIV prevention intervention for African-American females.   It has been proven effective in communities of color and is recognized on the CDC's list of Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBIs).   The intervention focuses on cultural and gender-relevant ways to increase condom use among African-American women.   This adaptation training will focus on how to use "SISTA" to reach young African-American females ages 13-24.   The free training will be highly interactive and most appropriate for providers who work directly with African-American female populations.   This training is not limited to HIV service providers; all organizations are encouraged to attend.

To RSVP for this training, email iwebster (at) metroteenaids (dot) org.   More information is available by calling Isaiah Webster at 543-0094.

Carlos Rosario training class information

Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School has just announced two training days!

Culinary Arts Day is being held on Wednesday, April 14 from 10:00-11:30 am and 7:00-8:30 pm.   Nurse Aide Training Day on Wednesday, April 21 from 10:00-11:30 am and 7:00-8:30 pm.

Classes are open to Washington, DC residents, but a picture ID is needed to ensure access into the building.   More information is available by calling 797-4700 ext. 125 or emailing workforce (at) carlosrosario (dot) org.

Students with an interest in food service who have successfully completed English as a Second Language (ESL) Level 5 or demonstrate the equivalent English Language proficiency are welcome to attend.   Information session attendance is mandatory for all interested applicants.   This session will provide applicants the opportunity to learn more about the Carlos Rosario culinary arts program and the hospitality industry.   More information is available in the Culinary Arts Day flier.

Students with an interest in health and who have successfully completed English as a Second Language (ESL) Level 7 or demonstrate the equivalent English Language proficiency are welcome to attend.   Information session attendance is mandatory for all interested applicants.   The Nurse Aide Training Day flier is here.

Credit Card Seminars for Seniors

The Department of Insurance, Securities and Bank (DISB) is working with the Community Services for Aging to offer five seminars on the new credit card law and its impact on seniors.   The seminars will be from 11:00 am - Noon from April 12 to April 30.   More information will soon be on the DISB website.   Be sure to check out What's Your Financial Literacy 411? for more info.

3rd Annual CAAB Financial Fair -- April 10

Worried about your money?   CAAB can help you take control of your future now at the 3rd Annual CAAB Financial Fair, Saturday, April 10 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.   The fair is being held at the Reeves Center, 2000 14th Street, NW.   (ID is required to enter the building.)

This annual event features a full FREE "spring cleaning" for your finances, including:

• Credit reports and counseling
• Tax preparation for eligible filers (see the DC EITC Campaign website)
• Giveaways from bank and credit union exhibitors
• A chance to open a safe and convenient bank account through Bank on DC

More information here in Spanish and English.   Or, call 419-1440.