New Federal Regulations Raise Reporting Threshold for Toxic Chemicals
A report from the Environmental Working Group, a TCWF grantee, investigates the effect on California of new federal regulations that roll back standards for the Toxics Release Inventory program of the Environmental Protection Agency. Higher reporting thresholds will permit 337 industrial facilities in 31 California counties to stop issuing detailed annual public reports on the use or release of more than 1.1 million pounds of hazardous chemicals. Among them are known or suspected carcinogens, such as ethylbenzene, styrene and chromium. read more
Support Urged for Disability Screening of Youth in Foster Care
In an April 8 Op Ed in the San Francisco Chronicle, John Burton urged support of Assembly Bill 1331, which would require county child welfare agencies to screen 16-year-olds for mental and physical disabilities, and to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for youth likely to qualify. The bill, still in committee, would enable youth to remain in foster care while their SSI applications are processed. Annual costs are estimated at less than $2 million. Burton, former president pro tem of the California Senate, founded the John Burton Foundation for Children Without Homes, a TCWF grantee. read more
Media Coverage Highlights Success Stories at Women’s Empowerment
Women’s Empowerment, a TCWF grantee that administers an eight-week mentoring and job skills program to help homeless women get back on their feet, was the subject of three recent TV news stories spotlighting successful graduates. No longer supported by its original parent organization, the Sacramento-based program needs to raise $100,000 to sustain its activities. “A Celebration of Independence,” the sixth annual Women’s Empowerment Gala fundraiser, will be held May 3. read more
Resource Guide for African American Seniors Now Available
The Association of African American Professionals, Inc. (AAAP), a TCWF grantee, has published a guide to resources in California for aging African Americans. Intended for consumers, caregivers, service providers and policymakers, the Elder Care Resource and Public Policy Guide also provides tips on health care, fire safety, child care, legal services and employment. read more
New Radio Show Provides Forum for Community Dialogue on Gang Violence
Sunday nights, from midnight to 2 a.m. on FM 100.3, the Bo Taylor Show opens the radio airwaves in Los Angeles to current and former gang members, victims of gang violence and everyone else with something to say about the issue. A former gang member himself, Taylor is the founder of Los Angeles-based Unity One, which works with gangs to negotiate truces and maintain cease-fire agreements, and to offer positive alternatives to gang membership. He is a 2003 recipient of the TCWF California Peace Prize. read more
Seminar Will Review Elements of Successful Grant Applications
The Center for Nonprofit Management in Los Angeles will present a half-day seminar on grant application basics, on May 1 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. “Know Thy Funder for Health Organizations" will offer tips on how to develop objectives and outcomes, organize program budgets, be persuasive in describing need and conduct site visits. Registration is by fax or mail only. read more
Six States Join California in Refusing Title V Grants
Federal Title V grants for abstinence-only sex education do not allow promotion of condom or contraception use. For this reason, California has never participated in the program, initiated in 1998. By the end of this year, six more states— Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island and Wisconsin—will have dropped out of the grant program. A recently published study by Columbia University and the Guttmacher Institute, a TCWF grantee, attributes 86 percent of the significant decline in teen pregnancy rates from 1995 to 2002 to contraception. read more
Health Careers Academy In Antelope Valley Is Model High School Program
Established 15 years ago in Palmdale High School, the Health Careers Academy offers college-preparatory courses with a medical focus as well as hands-on training. Open to all ninth-grade students in a school that serves a largely poor and predominantly Latino population, the academy claims a 100 percent graduation and college entrance rate. Low-performing students are weeded out in their junior year. Those who remain spend part of every day shadowing medical professionals in local clinics and hospitals, followed by a senior-year internship. read more
TCWF Wins Awards for Outstanding Communications
The Council on Foundations has named TCWF a recipient of two 2007 Wilmer Shields Rich Awards for Excellence in Communications. TCWF received a gold award in the Newsletter category for its Portfolio publication, and a gold award in the Web site category for its Make it in Scrubs public education campaign to increase diversity in the health professions. The awards will be presented at the Council's Annual Conference in Seattle on April 30. read more
Winter 2006/07 Portfolio Spotlights Approaches to Health Care in the Inland Empire
The cover story in the latest issue of Portfolio outlines the challenges and accomplishments of TCWF grantees providing health services for underserved populations in the Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside counties). This issue also spotlights the work of grantees in three of our funding priorities: environmental health, mental health, and work and health. read more
2007 Women’s Health Policy Summit To Be Held in Los Angeles
“Building Multicultural Women’s Health: Setting an Agenda for Los Angeles” is the theme of the 2007 Women’s Health Policy Summit, to be held May 24 in downtown Los Angeles. Intended for health care leaders, the summit will identify current trends and propose ways to improve the health of low-income women and women of color. Topics of breakout workgroups include healthy aging, reproductive health and the environment, universal healthcare, and violence and health. TCWF is a major sponsor of this event, convened by the Los Angeles County Office of Women’s Health. read more
