Advocacy Alert: Budget Blueprint - Dramatic Shifts in National Investment Priorities

The Executive Office of Management and Budget released "America First: A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again" on March 16, calling for dramatic shifts in our national investment priorities. This proposal includes spending cuts that directly target the youth and family services field, including Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.  

More information about the proposed changes is available here: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/03/15/us/politics/trump-budget-proposal.html?_r=0

The full document is available here: http://www.npr.org/2017/03/16/520379061/read-president-trumps-budget-blueprint

Congress determines how taxpayer funds are actually invested, and they have to vote by April 28.  It is absolutely critical that we educate our legislators about the value of our work and the consequences of funding loss to services for youth and families. Engaging family, friends, partners, youth and other community members in advocacy will strengthen our collective voice as well!

Tips on effective communication about human services are available here: https://t.e2ma.net/webview/t58j1/c005d42a42ab66285341d24f6ee8f7df

In addition to contacting your own Senator and Representatives, you can reach out to members of congressional appropriations committees to share your knowledge about the importance of federal investments in youth and families. Each chamber also has a Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Committee members and contact information can be found via the links below:

• House of Representatives Appropriations Committee: http://appropriations.house.gov/about/members/
• House Subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies: http://appropriations.house.gov/about/members/laborhealtheducation.htm
• Senate Appropriations Committee: https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/about/members
• Senate Subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies: https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/subcommittees/labor-health-and-human-services-education-and-related-agencies

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Why National Service Corps is a Wise Investment of Taxpayer Funds

RHY and other young people served by agencies and programs across the nation will lose crucial sources of support if OMB cuts funding for National Service Programs like AmeriCorps. As experts in this field, we need to educate our elected officials and help them understand the real cost of these cuts. Here are some reasons to protect these programs:

1. In strictly budgetary terms, at its current funding level, for every $1 we invest in the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), American taxpayers get $2.30 back in fiscal returns.[1]
2. Federal spending through CNCS generates matching investment from other community sources.  That combined social investment yields an even greater return.  For every $1 in collective support, we net almost $4.[2] 
3. And National Service Programs provide social benefits beyond those that can be monetized. 
   1. Participants get valuable work experience and access to educational opportunities. 
   2. Local programs benefit from volunteer contributions, increasing their capacity to serve community needs. 
   3. People and organizations who receive services benefit from that capacity in areas like poverty reduction, public safety, education, youth development, and disaster relief, among others. 
   4. Communities subsequently benefit from long term civic engagement and continued volunteering from participants initially engaged in national service programs.
4. In fact, greater investment in National Service Programs would yield even higher rates of return.

Follow the links below to take action by sharing what you know with your elected officials.

Voice for Service: http://voicesforservice.org/call-congress-save-national-service/

Common Cause: http://act.commoncause.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sunlight_advocacy_list_page

Find a sample letter to congressional representatives here: http://bit.ly/2l8Tcn3

Make Some Noise for Youth Safety - NSP Week Thunderclap

Join the official NSP Week 2017 Thunderclap campaign to to make some noise about Safe Place and youth safety. Thunderclap is a tool that amplifies a message when you and your friends say it together. Think of it as an online flash mob. By joining the NSP Week Thunderclap, you and others will share the same message at the same time, generating a wave of awareness for Safe Place on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr that can’t be ignored.

Please join and share the NSP Week Thunderclap here: http://thndr.me/4Re0Nb

Once you've joined the official NSP Week Thunderclap, encourage friends, colleagues, and family members to join. Please consider using one of the following sample social media posts to increase support and awareness of Safe Place.

Facebook / Tumblr:
Join me in supporting #NSPWeek2017 and @Safe Place on @Thunderclap! Share the sign. Share the meaning. Together we can keep kids safe: http://thndr.me/4Re0Nb

Twitter:
I supported #NSPWeek2017 and @SafePlace on @ThunderclapIt. Will you? http://thndr.me/4Re0Nb

Please note: Thunderclap doesn't allow Facebook pages to support campaigns. If you'd like to participate in the NSP Week Thunderclap using an agency or corporate Facebook page, simply copy / paste the message below and schedule it to post on Monday, March 20 at 1:00 p.m. EST:

Thunderclap Message for Facebook Pages:
Help us raise awareness about #SafePlace. Share the sign. Share the meaning. Keep kids safe. #NSPWeek2017 http://thndr.me/yxZEpl.

Calling all Youth Advisory Boards for NSPN's NYABCC

Does your organization have a Youth Advisory Board? National Safe Place Network (NSPN) would like to help you extend your program by connecting your Youth Advisory Board with others from across the nation. While youth work to make a difference in local communities, this opportunity opens the door for muilt-board collaboration to make a national impact. Youth will be empowered to provide input in national campaigns (such as the National Human Trafficking Awareness Month campaign), help lead creative projects (such as website development and national publications), and more - all while strengthening their leadership and team building skills. The overall goal and vision of NSPN is to create a world where all youth are safe. In order to achieve this vision, the voices of youth must be heard. Their input is invaluable.

How does this work? NSPN will host a call for all participating Youth Advisory Boards. During the call, the project description will be shared. Youth will share initial thoughts and ideas about the project while discussing the scope of their involvement. They will also receive suggested action steps, the deadline, and schedule the follow-up call. Once the call is complete, the board can continue meeting to determine the planning process. During this discussion, youth will determine their schedule and identify teams or specific roles and responsibilities. Ideally, they will work together to fullfil their project duties and prepare their presentation for the next call. During the next call, each Advisory Board will share their findings and present their recommendations or task with others. NSPN will then take the recommendations and efforts from all Advisory Boards and work to incorporate these into various national initiatives.

How to join: Sign your Youth Advisory Board up by contacting NSPN's Communications Department at [email protected]. There will be an initial call with staff leads / board coordinators during the first week in February. The call time will be determined by those who sign up. The NSPN Communications Department can't wait to work with you to enhance the lives of youth across the nation.