Recently in Other Education and Youth Issues
Below are estimates of the amount of funding that each state and school district would receive to modernize, upgrade and repair school facilities under the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, if it were to be enacted. These are estimates only based on available and current data and may not reflect exact allocations that states or school districts receive when these funds are actually allocated.
Preliminary estimates from the Congressional Research Service (as calculated on May 13, 2009):
Click here to download state-level data (PDF, 10KB) »
Click here to download school district-level data (PDF, 775KB) »
Child nutrition experts across the board agree that childhood obesity poses the greatest threats to the nation’s physical and financial health. Today, one-third of U.S. children and adolescents, about 25 million, are obese or overweight. Child nutrition programs provide children with access to low-cost, nutritious food to support healthy growth and development.
Subcommittee Hearing on “Improving Child Nutrition Programs to Reduce Childhood Obesity”
WHO:
U.S. Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE)
U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)
Michele Paterson, First Lady of New York, New York City & Albany, NY
Nancy Copperman, director, Public Health Initiatives Office of Community Health, North Shore Long Island Jewish Health
System, Great Neck, NY
Dr. Virginia A. Stallings, MD, chair, Institutes of Medicine (IOM) Committee on Nutrition Standards for National School
Lunch and Breakfast Programs
Dr. Patricia Crawford, MD, director, Atkins Center for Weight and Health, Berkeley, CA
Additional Witnesses TBA
WHEN:
Thursday, May 14, 2009
10:00 a.m. EDT
Please check the Committee schedule for potential updates »
WHERE:
House Education and Labor Committee Hearing Room
2175 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
What is the H1N1 Flu?
General information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the H1N1 flu (commonly mis-referred to as "swine flu"), including what the H1N1 flu is, how it spreads and how to take care of people sick with it »
School Preparedness
Checklists and other tools to help schools, child care providers, colleges and universities to delay or reduce the spread of the flu virus »
Workplace Preparedness
Checklists and other guidance for businesses and employers to protect employees' health and safety while limiting negative impacts to the economy and society »
More information from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration »
Family Preparedness
Advice and strategies to delay or reduce the spread of the flu virus »
Your Rights in the Workplace
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires public agencies, all public and private elementary and secondary schools, and companies with 50 or more employees to provide an eligible employee with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year for reasons, including caring for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition, and taking medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.
More about FMLA »
![AmericorpApps.jpg](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090514203126im_/http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/images/AmericorpApps.jpg)
According to the AmeriCorps' press release:
AmeriCorps is experiencing a significant surge of applications. Last month, AmeriCorps received 17,038 online applications, nearly triple the 6,770 received in March 2008. In the past five months, AmeriCorps received 48,520 online applications, up 234 percent over the 14,532 that came in during the same five month period a year ago. Many volunteer centers and nonprofit groups are also reporting a “compassion boom” of increased numbers of volunteers.Learn more about the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
![kildee.jpg](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090514203126im_/http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/assets_c/2009/03/kildee-thumb-125x107-315.jpg)
School buildings should be safe, healthy and modern learning environments for children and teachers. By helping school districts to make schools environmentally friendly, or “green,” we can create facilities that have tremendous health, educational, financial and environmental benefits.
In addition to the health and learning benefits, green schools use 33% less energy and 30% less water than a conventional school. On average, this saves the typical green school $100,000 each year in reduced energy and water costs. Green schools also reduce harmful carbon dioxide emissions, which helps diminish global climate change and lessen our collective carbon footprint. Additionally, these schools become interactive teaching tools where students see, first-hand, the importance of protecting our planet and build the capacity to solve some of our most pressing environmental challenges.
According to recent estimates, America’s schools are hundreds of billions of dollars short of appropriate facilities funding, and millions of students attend schools that are unhealthy and unsafe. To address these challenges and help to ensure that every child attends a green, high-quality facility, Congressman Ben Chandler (D-KY), Chairman George Miller (D-CA) and I introduced H.R. 3021, “The 21st Century Green High Performing Public School Facilities Act,” in the 110th Congress. This bill, which passed the House last summer, would dedicate billions of dollars to helping school districts implement school facilities projects that meet a recognized green building standard, and it will continue to be a priority for us in this Congress, as well as for Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA), another leader in this effort. Additionally, among “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s” historic investments in education are billions of dollars that school districts can use for such projects, among other uses.
I believe that Congress must be a leader in promoting environmental innovation, especially in helping school districts do so. By helping to create environmentally friendly schools, we can foster a green generation prepared to tackle future challenges. I hope you will join with me this Earth Day to support healthy, high-performing, green schools.
Today, President Obama is scheduled to sign the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act into law. This week is also National Volunteer Week (April 19-25).
The idea is to capitalize on the local history of activism and volunteerism and channel New Yorkers’ goodwill into worthy causes that could make a palpable difference in these difficult economic times. One of the initiatives, for example, will create the NYC Civic Corps, which will shepherd volunteers into public agencies and nonprofit groups. Others will expand the city’s auxiliary police force and Block Watch programs, as well as offer legal service and financial counseling to families who are facing foreclosure or otherwise need help managing their debt.Read the rest of The New York Times blog post here.
The Associated Press and The Washington Post also reported on Mayor Bloomberg's service program.
The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act grows the number of volunteers nationwide to 250,000 – more than triple the current 75,000. These new service opportunities will include the expansion of existing service programs, like AmeriCorps, as well as four new service corps focused on education, health care, energy and veterans. All service programs established under the bill will be overseen by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Chairmen Miller, McCarthy Join President Obama at Signing Ceremony for Landmark National Service Bill
WHEN:
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
4:00 p.m., EDT
WHERE:
The SEED School
4300 C Street SE
Washington, D.C.
Specifically,
the legislation establishes a separate program, a $1,000 educational stipend called a Silver Scholarship, for adults over 55 who serve 350 or more hours with a qualified organization, Mr. Gomperts said. That money can be transferred to a child, foster child or grandchild.As usual, we recommend you read the entire article.
In addition, AmeriCorps volunteers age 55 and older who serve full time for a year would be able to transfer their education award, which would be increased to $5,350 from $4,725, to a child, foster child or grandchild.
The bill also creates Encore Fellowships matching those age 55 and older with public or private nonprofit organizations for one-year management or leadership positions. Just as internships help younger adults enter a new field, these modestly paid positions provide a bridge for professionals from the for-profit world to second careers in the nonprofit world.
For more information on the role service programs play in each state, click here.
Earlier this month, Chairman Miller hosted a press conference with U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), the sponsor of the legislation, House lawmakers and nearly a hundred local area volunteers whose organizations stand to benefit from the Serve America Act. To view footage from the event, click here.
At a hearing in February, the Education and Labor Committee heard from witnesses about the many benefits of service and volunteering, including education initiatives, green service initiatives, veterans work, and more. For more information on that hearing, click here.
In many ways, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and dozens of other communities still haven't recovered from the record-setting June 2008 floods that ripped apart homes and lives across eastern Iowa.We encourage you to read the entire article and then read about the recently passed Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act that President Obama will sign upon his return from Europe. What is happening in Cedar Rapids and other communities around the country is exactly why demand to expand this program led to broad bipartisan support in the House and Senate.
But with the help of organizations and programs supported by the AmeriCorps volunteer service program, they are seeing significant improvements.
President Obama has called on Congress to create new service and volunteer opportunities for Americans that will help to build a stronger country. This legislation answers his call. It will launch a new era of service that will give Americans of all ages the opportunity to help our nation recover and make progress on education, health care, energy and other key goals by volunteering, whether it is helping students achieve in school, weatherizing homes and greening communities, rebuilding cities in times of disaster, feeding the hungry, helping seniors live independently, and much more.
The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (H.R. 1388), which received final passage by the House on March 31 by a vote of 275-149, includes new changes (highlighted in red below) from the previous version of the bill, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act. The bill authorizes nearly $6 billion over five years – FY 2010 through FY 2014.
Expanding Service Opportunities for College Students »
Expanding Service Opportunities for Middle and High School Students »
Expanding Service Opportunities for Seniors »
Expanding Green Service for Americans »
Expanding Service Opportunities for Veterans »
Strengthening Volunteer Disaster Relief Efforts »
Find Out About National Service in Your State »
Creates 175,000 New Service Opportunities and Rewards Americans for Commitment
- Grows the number of volunteers nationwide to 250,000, up from 75,000. These new service opportunities will include the expansion of existing service programs, like AmeriCorps, as well as four new service corps focused on education, health care, energy and veterans. All service programs established under the bill will be overseen by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
- Increases the full-time education award service members receive in exchange for their work to $5,350 for 2010. This award would also be linked to match future increases in the Pell Grant scholarship in order to keep up with rising college costs.
- Establishes four new service corps to address key needs in low income communities, including a Clean Energy Corps to encourage energy efficiency and conservation, an Education Corps to help increase student engagement, achievement and graduation, a Healthy Futures Corps to improve health care access, and a Veterans Service Corps to enhance services for veterans.
- Establishes the Summer of Service program that engages middle and high school students in volunteer activities in their communities and allows them to earn a $500 education award to be used for college costs. Students will be eligible to participate in two terms of service and earn up to a total of $1,000.
- Establishes Youth Engagement Zones, a new service-learning program to engage low-income high school students and out-of-school youth in volunteer efforts that address challenges in their local communities. The program will encourage partnerships between community-based organizations and schools in high-need communities and apply real world activities to teach students about a certain topic. For example, volunteering in a homeless shelter could supplement a class about poverty.
- Expands opportunities for disadvantaged youth, including doubling the resources available to engage youth with disabilities, to become more involved with service and offers people of all ages and those from diverse backgrounds introduction to service.
- Encourages adults to serve as mentors for foster youth.
- Establishes a new office for service opportunities for Native Americans.
- Expands the focus of the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) to include disaster relief, infrastructure improvement, environmental and energy conservation, and urban and rural development.
- Encourages service partnerships with other federal agencies and increases the participation of disadvantaged youth to 50 percent of program participants by 2011.
- Establishes an alumni corps of former participants who can be called to service during times of disaster and other emergencies.
- Encourages scientists, technicians and mathematicians to participate in service programs to help keep our nation competitive.
- Creates two new fellowships to engage social entrepreneurs, boomers and retirees, the private sector and Americans from all generations into service. Older Americans will be allowed to transfer their awards to a child, foster child or grandchild to help them pay for college.
Creates a nationwide community-based infrastructure to leverage investments in service
- ServeAmerica Fellowships: ServeAmerica Fellows are individuals who propose their own plans for serving in their communities to address national needs and are matched up with a service sponsor.
- Silver Scholarships and Encore Fellowships: These programs offer Americans, age 55 or older, post-career service opportunities as well as entrance into new careers in the public or nonprofit sector. Silver Scholars will be able to earn up to $1,000 in exchange for 350 hours of service.
- Builds a nationwide service infrastructure through community-building investments, social entrepreneurship, and programs to support and generate new volunteers.
Encourages Highly Skilled Professionals to Help Improve Global Health
- Community Solutions Fund: Creates a Community Solutions Fund pilot program that awards competitive matching grants to social entrepreneur venture funds in order to provide community organizations with the resources to replicate or expand proven solutions to community challenges, including a new focus on leveraging public private partnerships in small communities and rural areas. (Examples of service organizations that were launched by social entrepreneurs include Teach for America, City Year, Citizen Schools, Jump Start, Working Today, an organization that provides affordable, portable health benefits to 100,000 Americans, and the SEED school, the nation’s first public urban boarding school.)
- Volunteer Generation Fund: Provides grants to improve the quality and capacity of organizations to work with volunteers, and to create innovations in volunteerism in the areas of recruitment, training and management.
- Expands the Volunteers for Prosperity program which encourages highly skilled professionals to serve internationally in targeted areas of need such as global health.
- Includes a Call to Service Campaign to launch a national campaign encouraging all Americans to engage in service and to observe September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance
- Establishes the Campuses of Service to support and recognize institutions of higher education with exemplary service-learning programs and assists students in the pursuit of public service careers.
The recession is affecting artists, dancers and musicians everywhere, including the Bay Area, but hope is on the way. A House committee in Washington is examining how communities everywhere are being affected. $50 million has been set aside to give a boost to the arts and entertainment industry. The arts are big business generating 5.7 million jobs and $166 billion in economic activity each year. The House Education and Labor Committee, chaired by Congressman George Miller (D) of Concord, was told artists are unemployed and need their share of the stimulus package.
Watch the full report here.
Recent news reports have highlighted the tough economic realities arts and music organizations are facing – many are cutting budgets and programs that are the engine of the local economy and provide meaningful employment opportunities for workers. According to research conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts, unemployment for artists rose at a higher rate than the overall workforce in 2008.
Full Committee Hearing on “The Economic and Employment Impact of the Arts and Music Industry”
WHO:
U.S. Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY), co-chair, Congressional Arts Caucus
Michael Bahr, Education Director, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Cedar City, UT
Tim Daly, actor and co-president, The Creative Coalition
Joanne Florino, executive director, Triad Foundation, Inc., Ithaca, NY
Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO, Americans for the Arts, Washington, DC
Michael Spring, director, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Miami, FL
Bruce Ridge, musician and chairman, International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians, Raleigh, NC
John Thomasian, director, National Governors' Association, Center for Best Practices, Washington, DC
WHEN:
Thursday, March 26, 2009
10:00 a.m. EDT
WHERE:
House Education and Labor Committee Hearing Room
2175 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
The nation is close to a major civic breakthrough. By a 321-to-105 vote last week, the House approved an ambitious bipartisan measure to enlarge the opportunities for Americans of all ages and income levels to participate in productive national and community service.This editorial sums up the importance of this bi-partisan effort like this:
A similar plan is now before the Senate. A favorable vote this week would help speed a worthy initiative to President Obama’s desk.
Essentially, the measure is an expansion of AmeriCorps, the existing domestic service program. It would increase the number of full-time and part-time service volunteers to 250,000 from 75,000 and create new programs focused on special areas like strengthening schools, improving health care for low-income communities, boosting energy efficiency and cleaning up parks.
This is a chance to constructively harness the idealism of thousands of Americans eager to contribute time and energy to solving the nation’s problems — a chance not to be missed.We recommend you read the entire editorial.
In Saturday’s edition of the Navy Times, Rick Maze highlights one of the provisions of the GIVE Act that would create a separate Veterans’ Corps designed to help veterans meet the needs of their fellow servicemen and women.
A new national service program in which veterans would help other veterans was approved by the House of Representatives this week after an amendment was approved ensuring that volunteers earn extra education benefits — without risking GI Bill benefits already earned — for their additional service.
The Veterans’ Corps is part of a larger national service bill, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, or GIVE Act, which passed the House on Wednesday by a 321-105 vote. The bill, HR 1388, now goes to the Senate, where there is also interest in creating a special national service program for veterans.
Read the rest of the article for additional information about the Veterans’ Corps.
In this spirit, Congress is now poised to send me bipartisan legislation — the Serve America and GIVE Acts — that, if passed, will usher in a new era of service in this new century.
This legislation will help connect people at all stages of life with opportunities to serve. It will establish an army of 250,000 Americans a year who are willing to serve part time or full time working to meet our most pressing challenges, from modernizing our schools to building homes for those in need. And this legislation will provide new support for social entrepreneurship, identifying and nurturing promising new service programs around the country.
Members of Congress from across the political spectrum — from Senators Orrin Hatch and Mike Enzi and Representative Howard (Buck) McKeon to Senators Ted Kennedy and Barbara Mikulski and Representative George Miller — have pledged their support for this legislation. I urge Congress to follow their lead and move quickly to pass it so that I can sign it into law. And I pledge that my Administration will also do its part to help more Americans serve their communities. At this time of economic crisis, when so many people are in need of help, this work could not be more urgent.
We encourage you to read the entire column here and learn more about the GIVE Act here.
It will also expand the focus of the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) to include environmental and energy conservation efforts. Many of the new service and volunteer programs it will establish for younger students could include opportunities that enhance climate change education and introduce young Americans to the green-collar jobs of the future by performing energy audits and retrofits, weatherizing homes, rebuilding trails and parks, building and maintaining gardens and green spaces in communities, managing recycling programs, and more.
Green service programs are already making a big difference in communities across the country. Currently, more than a hundred energy conservation service programs operate in 46 states and serve 26,000 young Americans each year. For example, the Montana Conservation Corps have weatherized and retrofit more than 4,000 homes in low income communities and reservations. In Colorado, the Mile High Youth Corps – 50 percent are high school dropouts – perform energy audits and retrofits that save families in Denver $110 a year in utility costs. For more examples of similar initiatives, click here.
American service organizations and volunteers have played a vital role in relief and recovery efforts in the wake of tragedies. For example, since August 2005, the Corporation for National and Community Service, has provided more than $130 million worth of relief to Gulf Coast states devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and deployed nearly 92,000 national service volunteers who have put in over 3.5 million hours helping communities rebuild. This doesn’t include the additional 260,000 community volunteers involved in the recovery.
Even before floods devastated homes and businesses in southeast Iowa, volunteers were on the ground. To date, AmeriCorps has coordinated over 800,000 volunteer hours to help the state recover.
The Serve America Act creates a greater infrastructure and capacity for respond to disasters by growing the number of volunteers nationwide to 250,000, up from 75,000. The bill also makes it possible for existing programs to respond more effectively by expanding the focus of the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) to include disaster relief and infrastructure improvement. The bill also establishes an alumni corps of former participants who can be called to service during times of disaster and other emergencies.
Americans’ desire to give back is growing. In the five year after September 11th, the percent of college students who volunteer increased to over 30 percent. In 2007, more than 61 million Americans spent over 8 billion hours volunteering, generating $158 billion worth of benefits.
National and community service and volunteerism among college students is especially high. From September 2001 to 2006, the overall percent of college students who volunteer has increased to over 30 percent, exceeding the volunteer rate for adults. According to a 2006 report by the Corporation for National and Community Service, college students are twice as likely to volunteer as Americans of the same age who are not enrolled in an institution of higher education.
Specifically, the bill (H.R. 1388) will more than triple the number of volunteer opportunities for Americans, from 75,000 to 250,000, in key areas like education, clean energy, health care, and assistance for veterans. The bill will also increase the education reward they receive from $4,725 to $5,350 for next year, the same as the maximum Pell Grant scholarship award. The education award will be linked to match future boosts in the Pell Grant scholarship in order to keep up with rising college costs.
It will help our nation get through the economic crisis by making Americans of all ages a part of the solution to the many challenges facing the nation, including education. The bill will both increase opportunities for students to get involved with service and boost service initiatives focused on education, including mentoring programs and programs that help boost student achievement. This is the largest expansion of national service since President Kennedy issued his call to service over fifty years ago.
To give more young Americans the opportunity to get involved, the GIVE Act will create a Summer of Service Program to engage middle and high school students in volunteer activities in their communities. In return for their service contributions, students will earn a $500 education award to put toward getting a college education.
It also will establish new Youth Engagement Zones, service learning programs that will build partnerships between community-based organizations and schools to help high school students and out-of-school youth address specific challenges, especially in low-income communities.
Overall, the bill (H.R. 1388) will more than triple the number of volunteer opportunities for Americans of all ages, from 75,000 to 250,000, and establishes a new service corps focused on education. It will also increase the education reward participants receive from $4,725 to $5,350 for next year, the same as the maximum Pell Grant scholarship award.
In 2005, nearly a third of all baby boomers volunteered with formal organizations -– the highest volunteer rate of any group of Americans according to the Corporation for National & Community Service. The bill will create Silver Scholarships and Encore Fellowships that will create opportunities for seniors to transition into service after they have retired. Silver Scholars will be able to earn up to $1,000 in exchange for 350 hours of service. For seniors who may need to re-enter the workforce to make ends meet, these programs can also help them transition into new careers in the public or nonprofit sector.
Veterans are uniquely situated to understand and meet the special needs of those returning home from war. The Veteran’s Corps will function similarly to AmeriCorps or Senior Corps by creating opportunities for veterans to continue serving their country. The Serve America Act will support programs that help provide education, mentoring, and job training to fellow veterans. It will be the first program of its kind.
We consider this bill at a time when our nation faces enormous challenges. Families are losing jobs, health care, child care, and other key services. Schools and colleges are seeing their budgets evaporate.
Our public needs are growing while our resources for meeting them are disappearing.
This legislation will make Americans a part of the solution to getting our country back on track.
Service is the lifeblood of this country. We have seen this throughout history. In times of crisis, Americans stand up to help.
We saw this during World Wars I and II, when the Red Cross helped soldiers, their families, and returning veterans and later led relief efforts during the Great Depression.
We saw this after September 11th, when our citizens, young and old, sprung to action to help their fellow neighbors.
We saw this in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, when volunteers were on the ground before the federal government.
They were a beacon of hope amidst serious despair. Today, volunteers continue to play a huge role in Gulf Coast relief efforts.
We’ve seen this in my state of California, where communities have been ravaged by floods, earthquake and wildfires.
And we saw this last June, when floods devastated homes and businesses in southeast Iowa. Even before the storms came, volunteers were there. To date, AmeriCorps has coordinated over 800,000 volunteer hours in Iowa.
Volunteers play many roles. They teach in our classrooms, clean up our trails, build and weatherize homes, shelter the homeless and feed the hungry. All the while, they learn valuable skills that will help them throughout their lives.
Interest in service is growing. In 2008, more than 61 million Americans spent over eight billion hours volunteering.
More than a quarter of Americans over the age of 16 have volunteered.
In 2008, Teach for America, an AmeriCorps program which recruits teachers to high-need schools, saw its highest number of applicants.
These are students who are often recruited by leading firms, but instead decide to teach in some of our most impoverished and rural communities.
Service also yields impressive economic returns.
In 2006, Americans who served generated benefits worth $158 billion.
A cost-benefit analysis of AmeriCorps shows that every $1 invested can produce almost $4 in returns.
In Denver, the Mile High Youth Corps, half of whom are high school dropouts, perform energy audits and retrofits that save families $110 a year in utility bills.
In Louisiana, the Saint Bernard Project, a volunteer program that rebuilds homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, will welcome their 200th family back to a home today.
The GIVE Act will renew America at a time when our citizens and our communities want to help. It will create a continuum of service for Americans of all ages, from middle school through retirement.
It builds on the effective service initiatives out there today. It establishes service corps targeting critical needs by:
Boosting student achievement in low-income communities; improving energy-efficiency, which saves families and taxpayers money, while introducing Americans to green jobs; providing services and care to veterans; expanding access to affordable health care coverage.
A big focus throughout this bill is education. We think this is the right way to leverage our young people’s interest in service, and to help them get a good education.
In exchange for doing a term or a year of service, middle school, high school and college age students can earn money to pay for college or repay debt.
Another big focus of this bill is our veterans. Many members of our armed forces or the National Guard are already volunteering abroad as engineers, electricians and plumbers.
It’s time to create more opportunities that harness the skills they’ve fine-tuned abroad for the public good here at home.
And this legislation puts seniors and retirees at the front lines of service. Seniors are already making enormous volunteer contributions.
In this economy, with incomes and retirement savings plummeting, many seniors may need additional income after they retire, or need to learn new skills to re-enter the workforce. This bill gives them that chance.
Ultimately, this legislation is about the American community.
Service dots the entire American landscape.
Go into any neighborhood, and you’ll find Americans of all ages, races, religions and backgrounds coming together to change lives.
As Richard Stengell, of Time recently told our committee, “At a time like this, service is not a luxury but an effort that can help us rebuild, restore confidence and prepare for the future.”
Service is an American value. Our President recognizes that we should be tapping into this at a pivotal moment.
I’d like to thank Congresswoman McCarthy, Congressman McKeon and his staff, and our colleagues on the committee for all their hard work on this legislation.
I’d also like to thank Denise Forte, Stephanie Moore, Alex Ceja, Margaret Young, Fred Jones, Melissa Salmanowitz and Jessica Kahanek on my staff for their tireless efforts.
I urge my colleagues, in the spirit of bipartisanship to support this bill.
![map-of-national-service-by-state.jpg](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090514203126im_/http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/assets_c/2009/03/map-of-national-service-by-state-thumb-300x199-312.jpg)
The GIVE Act will create new service opportunities for Americans by more than tripling the current number of volunteers, raising the number to 250,000. It will also boost the education awards volunteers receive in exchange for their service - encouraging more young students to get involved in service while helping them pay for college. And it will help prepare current and future generations for jobs in the green economy, and establish a Veterans Corp to meet the unique needs of veterans and military families.
President Obama called on Congress to send him similar legislation in his first major address to Congress; the House is expected to consider the measure in the coming weeks.
The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act will create new service opportunities for Americans by more than tripling the current number of volunteers, raising the number to 250,000. It will also boost the education awards volunteers receive in exchange for their service - encouraging more young students to get involved in service while helping them pay for college. And it will help prepare current and future generations for jobs in the green economy, and establish a Veterans Corp to meet the unique needs of veterans and military families.
Education and Labor Committee Mark-Up of H.R. 1388, the GIVE Act
WHEN:
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
10:00 a.m. EDT
WHERE:
Education and Labor Committee Hearing Room
2175 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Calling Americans to Serve at a Critical Time
America is facing unprecedented challenges – the economy, health care, energy, schools in need of improvement and more. With our public needs intensifying in this recession, there’s no better time to support and energize community service and volunteerism to help our country get through this economic crisis, restore confidence and prepare our nation for the future.
President Obama has called on Congress to create new opportunities for Americans to build a stronger country by helping students perform better in school, prepare Americans for green and innovative 21st century jobs, rebuild cities in times of disaster, improve communities and much, much more. This legislation, passed by the Committee by a vote of 34-3 on March 11, 2009, answers his call. It will launch a new era of service that will give Americans of all ages an opportunity to invest through service in our nation’s recovery.
Expanding Service Opportunities for College Students »
Expanding Service Opportunities for Middle and High School Students »
Expanding Service Opportunities for Seniors »
Expanding Green Service for Americans »
Expanding Service Opportunities for Veterans »
Strengthening Volunteer Disaster Relief Efforts »
Find Out About National Service in Your State »
Creates 175,000 New Service Opportunities and Rewards Americans for Commitment
- Grows the number of volunteers nationwide to 250,000, up from 75,000. The bill also links the full-time education award to the maximum authorized Pell Grant award amount in order to keep up with rising college costs.
Provides Incentives for Middle and High School Students to Engage in Service
- Establishes the Summer of Service program that engages middle and high school students in volunteer activities in their communities and allows them to earn a $500 education award to be used for college costs.
Makes High School Students Part of Solution to Challenges in their Communities
- Establishes Youth Engagement Zones, a new service-learning program to help bridge partnerships between community based organizations and schools in high-need, low-income communities to engage high school students and out-of-school youth in service-learning to address specific challenges their communities face.
Recognizes and Supports Colleges and Universities Engaged in Service
- Establishes the Campuses of Service to support and recognize institutions of higher education with exemplary service-learning programs and assists students in the pursuit of public service careers.
Boosts Opportunities for Disadvantaged Youth
- Expands opportunities for disadvantaged youth, including those with disabilities, to become more involved with service and strives to include people of all ages and those from diverse background in volunteerism.
Creates Green and Other New Service Corps to Meet Key Needs in Low-Income Communities
- Establishes four new service corps to address key needs in low income communities, including a Clean Energy Corps to encourage energy efficiency and conservation measures, an Education Corps to help increase student engagement, achievement and graduation, a Healthy Futures Corps to improve health care access, and a Veterans Service Corps to enhance services for veterans.
Broadens Scope of Collaborative Service Efforts
- Expands the focus of the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) to include disaster relief, infrastructure improvement, environmental and energy conservation, and urban and rural development.
- Encourages service partnerships with other federal agencies.
Recruits Scientists and Engineers to Service to Keep America Competitive
- Recruits scientists, technicians, mathematicians and engineers into national service to help keep America competitive.
Establishes an Alumni Reserve to Respond in Emergencies
- Establishes an alumni corps of former participants who can be called to service during times of disaster and other emergencies.
Expands Service Opportunities for Older Americans and Public-Private Partnerships
- Creates two new fellowships to engage social entrepreneurs, seniors and retirees, the private sector and Americans from all generations in service.
- ServeAmerica Fellowships: ServeAmerica Fellows are individuals who propose their own plans for serving in their communities to address national needs and are matched up with a service sponsor.
- Silver Scholarships and Encore Fellowships: These programs offer seniors, age 55 or older, opportunities to transition into service post-career as well as entrance into new careers in the public or nonprofit sector.
Creates a Nationwide Community-Based Infrastructure to Leverage Investments in Service
- Builds a nationwide service infrastructure through community-building investments and social entrepreneurship.
- Community Solutions Fund: Creates a Community Solutions Fund pilot program that awards competitive matching grants to social entrepreneur venture funds in order to provide community organizations with the resources to replicate or expand proven solutions to community challenges.
- Volunteer Generation Fund: Provides grants to improve the quality and capacity of organizations to work with volunteers, and to create innovations in volunteerism in the areas of recruitment, training and management.
Establishes Call to Service Campaigns
- Includes a Call to Service Campaign to launch a national campaign encouraging all Americans to engage in service and to observe September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Support for the GIVE Act (H.R. 1388)
"We, the undersigned Mayors, support expanding community and national service opportunities for Americans of all ages. In this difficult time for our country, service remains an enduring American value that brings people together and reminds us of the strength of our common bond. As mayors, we have seen first hand how important community and national service can be to help us address pressing challenges in our cities and towns...
"We urge the Congress to promptly pass and fully fund the bi-partisan Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act – H.R. 1388."
U.S. Mayors
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 13KB)»
"We write in support of reauthorizing and expanding AmeriCorps and other national service and volunteer programs that the Corporation for National and Community Service administers. Accordingly, we support the passage of the House Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act and the Senate Serve America Act. In this difficult time for our country, service remains an enduring American value that brings communities together and reminds us of the strength of our common bond.
"As Governors, we witness firsthand the positive effects that national service and volunteerism have in communities throughout our states. Through outstanding state-federal partnerships, we have a unique opportunity to support service and volunteering through Corporation for National and Community Service programs. Additionally, Governor-appointed state commissions oversee and administer AmeriCorps, promote national service and volunteering, and develop innovative volunteer opportunities to meet the needs of our communities and our states."
U.S. Governors
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 520KB)»
"I too agree with President Obama's call to Congress to invest in our nation's recovery through service. The time is now! Today's challenges are why the work of those who choose to serve their communities through programs such as those supported by the GIVE Act is so crucial."
Usher Raymond IV, Chairman and Founder
Usher's New Look Foundation
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 231KB) »
“Students graduating from high school and college face two of the greatest challenges in our nation’s history – an economic crisis and global warming. This legislation will jumpstart a new generation of green leaders by teaching them skills needed to develop clean energy and improve our nation’s energy efficiency, which is the cheapest, fastest, and cleanest way to reduce global warming pollution and save money.”
Jim Presswood, Federal Energy Policy Director
Natural Resources Defense Council
"On behalf of the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU), thank you for including provisions in the GIVE Act (H.R. 1388) that support community service and service learning efforts by universities. We endorse the overall purpose of the legislation to encourage more Americans to serve and volunteer in areas of national need...
"As anchors for our nation’s cities, USU institutions are engaged in partnerships and outreach within our local communities and metropolitan areas, including community service and service learning."
Nancy L. Zimpher, Chair
Coalition of Urban Serving Universities
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 93KB) »
"The GIVE Act will dramatically improve the national service field’s ability to meet our nation’s most challenging needs. Jumpstart applauds the inclusion of provisions to strengthen national and community service, including the provisions to create new Corps to address particular challenges, increase in the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award amount, allow individuals to be eligible to receive an aggregate of two full-time service awards, and establish a Community Solutions Fund to support the growth of innovative programs.
"The call for national service has never been more important."
James Cleveland, President
Jumpstart
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 32KB) »
"On behalf of over 40 million members, AARP writes in support of an amendment to incorporate the Volunteer Generation Fund in H.R. 1388, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act (G.I.V.E. Act), and to support enactment of H.R. 1388 with the inclusion of the Volunteer Generation Fund...
"This legislation will strengthen and expand civic engagement and volunteer opportunities at a time when many communities are in great need."
David P. Sloane, Senior Vice President
Government Relations and Advocacy
AARP
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 787KB) »
"NCOA’s work in national and community service clearly demonstrates that adults approaching retirement age are concerned about the future of the country and want to give back – but in new ways with more impact. Many of them will be interested in exploring service opportunities, but may need some incentive and encouragement to get involved. NCOA believes that our nation should adopt public policies that empower older adults to make a
commitment to remain active citizens in their communities in ways that address critical human needs. We believe the provisions of the GIVE Act with its recommendations for modernizing the National Senior Corps does just that."
James P. Firman
National Council on Aging
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 94KB) »
"The GIVE Act includes many important programmatic adjustments that will help to make the benefits of service available to more participants and more communities, improve program quality, provide a mechanism for appropriate evaluation of programs, ensure participant diversity, recalculate the value of the AmeriCorps Education Award, and address a host of other structural and programmatic issues...
"By reauthorizing these national service programs, you can ensure that every American has an opportunity to serve in his or her community. Our communities, our states, and our entire nation will benefit from the continued services that these volunteers provide."
Tom Branen, Executive Director
America’s Service Commissions
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 108KB) »
"On behalf of the students, families, staff, and supporters of Citizen Schools, I offer our strong support for the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act (H.R. 1388)...
"This legislation will allow organizations like Citizen Schools to serve more children, more effectively. Citizen Schools is a leading national education initiative that uniquely mobilizes thousands of adult volunteers to help improve student achievement and close the achievement gap by teaching skill-building apprenticeships after school."
Eric Schwarz, President and CEO
Citizen Schools
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 64KB) »
"Through our work at the Connecticut Commission on Community Service, we have seen how service can be a powerful strategy for meeting growing needs, giving Americans meaningful work in a difficult climate, and getting our economy moving again. That is why I am writing to urge you to support swift passge and full funding of the GIVE Act (H.R. 1388)."
Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director
Serve Connecticut
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 1.35MB) »
"We are deeply grateful that the House Education and Labor Committee has recognized the pivotal moment we are in as a country and responded by passing H.R. 1388, The GIVE Act. Service can play a critical role in getting our economy moving again, engaging Americans in productive work in difficult times and meeting the growing needs in communities. We need to reinvest in service, starting with the reauthorization of national and community service programs operated by The Corporation for National and Community Service, which have not been reauthorized in 16 years.
"We believe that the provisions in H.R. 1388 will make it possible for more Americans to serve, stimulate more volunteering and increase the diversity of those serving. We also believe that the reforms contained in the bill will ensure accountability, transparency, and results, while providing administrative simplification to help faith and community-based organizations—particularly those smaller nonprofits operating in rural areas and in economically disadvantaged communities—to more effectively meet community needs."
National Service Organizations
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 176KB) »
"Thank you for your leadership in the face of such unprecedented economic challenges. We are writing to express our strong support for the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act of 2009 (GIVE Act). The GIVE Act will reauthorize the National and Community Services Act of 1990 by making key reforms to the Americorps program. Community challenges such as rising unemployment and the current foreclosure crisis have disproportionately affected our most vulnerable communities, which is why the work of those who choose to serve these communities through programs such as the ones supported by the GIVE Act is so crucial."
Michael Rubinger, President and Chief Executive Officer
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 76KB) »
"We are deeply grateful that the House Education and Labor Committee has recognized the pivotal moment we are in as a country and has responded by passing H.R. 1388, The GIVE Act. The Act recognizes that we need to reinvest in service, starting with the reauthorization of national and community service programs operated by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which have not been reauthorized in 16 years."
W. David Mallery, Executive Director
Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 410KB) »
"Responding to systemic problems and crises that face our country, young Americans are giving back in record numbers (nearly a quarter of those over age 16 have volunteered). The Millennial Generation, growing up in the wake of the September 11th attacks, is leading a movement of citizen-centered change and joining together across generational, cultural and socio-economic bounds in a shared sense of ownership and national responsibility. It is in this spirit of renewed civic engagement and service that we urge your support of The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (“GIVE”) Act."
Chris Golden & Nick Troiano
Co-Founders, myImpact
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 29KB) »
"I hope that you will support swift passage of the GIVE Act and the Volunteer Generation Fund amendment when both come to the House floor this week."
Rachel A. Chadderdon, Executive Director
ServeWyoming
Click here to read full letter of support (PDF, 42KB) »
On Monday, Miller will announce that the GIVE Act (don't ask what the acronym means; too clunky) is on its way to passage by the House. Because representatives of the House, Senate and White House have been working together on a bipartisan basis for weeks, the skids are now greased for quick Senate passage of the Kennedy-Hatch Act for national service, the only specific piece of legislation the president mentioned in his address to Congress last month. Differences between the House and Senate versions will be minor.
In addition to Mr. Alter's story, ABC has a short story to accompany a two-minute video on Good Morning America this morning.
WHAT:
Hearing on “Lost Educational Opportunities in Alternative Settings”
WHO:
Dr. Thomas Blomberg, Professor of Criminology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Ms. Linda Brooke, Director of Government Relations and Education Services, Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, Austin, TX
Dr. Cynthia Cave, Director, Office of Student Services, Richmond, VA
Leonard Dixon, M.S., Executive Director, Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility, Detroit, MI
Janeen Steel, Esq., Executive Director, Learning Rights Law Center, Los Angeles, CA
Additional Witnesses TBA
WHEN:
Thursday, March 12, 2009
10:00 a.m. EDT
WHERE:
House Education and Labor Committee Hearing Room
2175 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Please check the Committee's schedule for updates.
Created with flickrSLiDR.
Chairman George Miller's opening statement:
Usher's testimony:
Richard Stengel's testimony:
James Harris' testimony:
Van Jones' testimony:
(More videos from the hearing will be posted as they become available.)
Tomorrow, Thursday, February 26th, the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness will hold a second hearing about New Innovations and Best Practices Under the Workforce Investment Act at 10:00 am in 2175 Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing will be broadcast live here.
Tomorrow, Thursday, February 26th, the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness will hold a second hearing about New Innovations and Best Practices Under the Workforce Investment Act at 10:00 am in 2175 Rayburn House Office Building.
All hearings will be broadcast live here.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office uncovered thousands of cases and allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect at residential treatment facilities across the country. In some cases, this abuse resulted in the death of a child. This legislation, the Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2009 (H.R. 911) is similar to legislation the House passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the 110th Congress.
Investigations conducted by the Government Accountability Office during the 110th Congress uncovered thousands of cases and allegations of child abuse and neglect since the early 1990’s at teen residential programs. Currently, these programs are governed only by a weak patchwork of state and federal standards. A separate GAO report, also conducted last year at the committee’s request, found major gaps in the licensing and oversight of residential programs – some of which are not covered by any state licensing standards at all. More »
Tens of thousands of U.S. teenagers attend private and public residential programs – including therapeutic boarding schools, wilderness camps, boot camps, and behavior modification facilities – that are intended to help them with behavioral, emotional, mental health, or substance abuse problems. Depending on the state in which the program operates, some of these programs are subject to State law or regulation, while others are not. As a result of this loose patchwork of state oversight, children at some the programs have been subject to abuse and neglect with little to no accountability.
The Government Accountability Office found thousands of allegations of child abuse and neglect at residential programs for teens since the early 1990s. Tragically, in a number of cases, this abuse and neglect led to the death of a child. To address this urgent problem, the “Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2009” would:
- Prohibit programs from physically, mentally, or sexually abusing children in their care;
- Prohibit programs from denying children essential water, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care – whether as a form of punishment or for any other reason;
- Require programs to provide children with reasonable access to a telephone and inform children accordingly;
- Require programs to train staff in what constitutes child abuse and neglect and how to report it;
- Require that programs only physically restrain children if it is necessary for their safety or the safety of others, and to do so in a way that is consistent with federal law already applicable in other contexts; and
- Require programs to have plans in place to provide emergency medical care.
Prevent deceptive marketing by residential programs for teens
- Require programs to disclose to parents the qualifications, roles, and responsibilities of staff members;
- Require programs to notify parents of substantiated reports of child abuse or violations of health and safety laws; and
- Require programs to include a link or web address for the website
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which will carry
information on residential programs.
Hold teen residential programs accountable for violating the law
- Require states to inform the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of reports of child abuse and neglect at covered programs and require HHS to conduct investigations of such programs to determine if a violation of the national standards has occurred; and
- Provide HHS the authority to assess civil penalties up to $50,000 for every violation of the law.
Ask states to step in to protect teens in residential programs
Within three years, states must require all public and private programs to be licensed, meet standards that are at least as stringent as the national standards, and implement a monitoring and enforcement system. The Department of Health and Human Services would continue to inspect programs where a child fatality has occurred or where a pattern of violations has emerged.
Background
- February 23, 2009: House passes Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2009, by a vote of 295-102 »
- February 11, 2009: Committee passes Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2009, by a vote of 32-10 »
- Full Committee Hearing: "Child Abuse and Deceptive Marketing by Residential Programs for Teens" »
- GAO Audio Clips: Examples of Deceptive Marketing Practices »
- Full Committee Hearing: "Cases of Child Neglect and Abuse at Private Residential Treatment Facilities" »
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2009 »
Support for H.R. 911
- Parents of victims »
(PDF, 8KB) - American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry »
(PDF, 282KB) - American Academy of Pediatrics »
(PDF, 36KB) - American Bar Association »
(PDF, 59KB) - American Humane Association »
(PDF, 34KB) - American Psychological Association »
(PDF, 48KB) - Association of University Centers on Disabilities »
(PDF, 171KB) - Bazelon Center »
(PDF, 85KB) - Child Welfare League of America »
(PDF, 54KB) - Coalition of groups serving children and adolescents with mental health or substance use conditions »
(PDF, 10KB) - Community Alliance for the Ethical Treatment of Youth »
(PDF, 26KB) - Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates »
(PDF, 23KB) - Disability Policy Coalition »
(PDF, 29KB) - Easter Seals »
(PDF, 132KB) - National Child Abuse Coalition »
(PDF, 17KB) - National Disability Rights Network »
(PDF, 56KB) - TASH »
(PDF, 35KB)
Boosting community service is a key priority for President Obama, whose official Inauguration activities included a “National Day of Service” where hundreds of thousands of Americans volunteered in their communities. Among other things, the hearing will focus on reinvigorating civic engagement across all levels of society, expanding opportunities for young people to participate in service, and how national and community service can help “green” America.
WHAT:
Hearing on Improving America’s Commitment to Service and Volunteerism
WHO:
Usher Raymond IV, recording artist, chairman, Usher’s New Look Foundation
James Harris, youth participant, Usher’s New Look Foundation
Richard Stengel, managing editor, TIME Magazine
Van Jones, founder and president, Green for All
Other Witnesses TBD
WHEN:
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
10:00 A.M. EST
WHERE:
House Education and Labor Committee Hearing Room
2175 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
In addition, the bill would also increase transparency at the Department of Health and Human Services and provide funding for local community programs that help homeless and runaway youth. In 2005, these programs served more than 500,000 homeless and runaway children.
“We must protect our nation’s most vulnerable children, especially those who have been pushed out and are living on the streets. This legislation will give them the physical shelter and emotional support they need to start rebuilding their lives. I commend Rep. Yarmuth for his leadership and dedication to providing runaway and homeless children across the country with the attention, stability, and hope they deserve.” -- Chairman George Miller
“This legislation will bring us significantly closer to ensuring that, in America, no child ever has to grow up without a home. For more than a million children each year, this legislation could mean the difference between continuing to live on the streets without hope and finding a path to successful adulthood.” -- Rep. Yarmuth
“I would like to congratulate Rep. Yarmuth on this bill and commend him for his commitment to helping our nation’s runaway and homeless youth. It is crucial that we do everything in our power to help the thousands of vulnerable young people in this country that are without a home. The programs that are reauthorized in this bill will give runaway and homeless children a real chance at getting a new start in life and help them get on track to a better future.” -- Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities
Witnesses today told the Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee that the field of social work affects the lives of Americans from all walks of life on a daily basis, and though the field faces some challenges, it is expected to grow in the coming years.
Social workers provide critical services across rural, urban and suburban areas. They work with a wide variety of people, from children, families and the elderly, to those with mental health problems or substance abuse issues, to those who are incarcerated. As baby boomers age, they will increasingly require more social work services, said Gary Bailey, associate professor at the Graduate School of Social Work at Simmons College in Boston, MA.
A master's degree in social work or a related field is now standard for many positions. Dr. Robin Mama, dean of the School of Social Work at Monmouth University in Monmouth, NJ, said recruitment is the biggest challenge facing undergraduate social work programs, in part because of negative associations. Mama also said there is a need for bilingual and trilingual social workers and cultural awareness and sensitivity. More »
Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee Hearing on “Caring for the Vulnerable: The State of Social Work in America”
Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 3:00 p.m. EDT