Prepare for MLK Day: An Opportunity to Talk About Society, Hope, and Action

In 2017, some of the ugliest legacies of our national history emerged from shadows into the light. White supremacist rallies and marches spread hate and violence in communities across the country.  People are talking about that, which is good.  People need to talk about that. People also need to talk, and take action, about institutional racism and policies that promote oppression and inequality.  January 15^th is marked as a day we acknowledge the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the American Civil Rights Movement. This is an opportunity to talk with young people about social injustice, civil disobedience, peaceful protest, service to others, hope, and action. It can be hard to know where to start. Here are some resources that can help:

From Counseling Today, strategies for facilitating racial dialogues: http://ct.counseling.org/2015/12/race-talk-and-facilitating-difficult-racial-dialogues/

From the YWCA of Madison Wisconsin, a Race to Equity conversation toolkit: http://www.ywcamadison.org/atf/cf/%7B2487BD0F-90C7-49BC-858D-CC50637ECE23%7D/Race-to-Equity_Discussion-Guide.pdf

National Safe Place Network Selected as Operator of RHYTTAC

NSPN is proud to announce its continued service to the Family and Youth Services Bureau's (FYSB) Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) grantees for another three years through the operation of RHYTTAC.  NSPN is committed to providing up-to-date promising practices to help support youth organizations across the country as they work to provide safety and permanency, and to improve the social and emotional well-being of runaway, homeless, and street youth. NSPN's dedication to FYSB and RHY grantees will foster capacity building that will result in continued enhancement of services for youth and families.

Thank you for allowing NSPN to serve you. We're honored to be a part of your efforts to keep young people safe. Together we can.

NSPN Accepts Nominations for National Advisory Board

National Safe Place Network (NSPN) is accepting nominations for the Network's National Advisory Board. These volunteer positions are critical to helping NSPN create awareness, expand services, and provide leadership to work toward our vision - a world in which all youth are safe. NSPN members and licensed Safe Place agencies will select participants of the NSPN Advisory Board via a national vote. If you or someone you know meets the following criteria - we encourage you to submit a nomination form. Together we can make a positive difference in the lives of youth.

NSPN is seeking Advisory Board participants who:

• Are passionate about meeting the needs of youth and families;
• Have innovative ideas;
• Want to enhance our national collaboration for youth;
• Can commit to participate in committee activities via teleconference and e-mail; and,
• Can commit to attend 2 national meetings per year.

Advisory Board members serve on a committee and commit to participate in activities related to one or more task areas within the committee. The committees include Expansion, Marketing and Communications, and Leadership.

Expansion

The Expansion committee is tasked with contributions toward increasing the footprint of NSPN and its programs. Focus is on broad based efforts to grow the Network and to expand the impact of NSPN initiatives.

Task areas:

• Membership - Delivery and development of services and products locally and nationally
• Safe Place -  Creating new models and methods of connecting with all youth so no matter where the youth turns, help is available
• Service Partnerships - Identification and recruitment of like-minded organizations to share ideas, resources, and activities for quality service delivery

Staff support: April Carthorn and Susan Harmon

Marketing and Communications

The Marketing and Communications committee is tasked with increasing the brand awareness and understanding of NSPN programs and services. Raises awareness through targeted media outlets and engage at local, state, and national levels to ensure youth safety.

Task areas:

• Develop marketing tools/templates—capacity building for agencies
• Target various audiences for messaging related to NSPN programs
• Website review and social media feedback

Staff Support:  Hillary Ladig and Elizabeth Smith Miller

Leadership

The Leadership committee is tasked with increasing the strategic position and national impact of NSPN as a leader in the field of youth and family services.

Task areas:

• Advocacy issues as related to national policy
• Research and issue brief efforts
• Evidence-based and evidence-informed efforts to include national registry
• National partnerships in the development of new initiatives (human trafficking, suicide prevention, etc.)

Staff Support: Shauna Brooks and Tammy Hopper

*Please note: The Leadership committee is full for the 2017/2018 service year.  Please consider the Marketing and Communication or the Expansion Committee.  If you would like to discuss which committee might be the best fit, please contact NSPN at [email protected].

If you're interested in serving on the NSPN Advisory Board but do not have support from your agency or employer for travel costs, you may also wish to consider sharing your expertise by joining an ad-hoc committee for a specific project. If you'd like to be considered as an ad-hoc committee member, please let us know at [email protected].

Please click here to access the 2017 NSPN Advisory Board Nomination form: http://bit.ly/2pytNB1

Nominations must be submitted no later than Friday, May 12, 2017.

For more information, reach out to [email protected] with the subject line "NSPN Advisory Board."

To view a list of current NSPN Advisory Board participants, please click here: http://www.nspnetwork.org/advisory-board

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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