Join PTA in Supporting Inclusive Schools Week

PTA joins more than 50 other organizations as a partner in Inclusive Schools Week – December 1-5, 2008. The theme for this year's activities is "Together We Learn Better: Inclusive Schools Benefit All Children."
Inclusive Schools Week is an annual event sponsored by the Inclusive Schools Network (ISN) at Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC). It is held each year during the first week in December. Since its inception in 2001, Inclusive Schools Week has celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference and other factors. The week also provides an opportunity for educators, students and parents to discuss what needs to be done to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children.
Resources:

Learn more and get ideas to celebrate this week at inclusiveschools.org/week.

Review PTA's resources for improving diversity on PTA.org.

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Is Your PTA an Outstanding Advocate for Children?

n recognition of the hard work PTAs do on behalf of children, the PTA national office will present the second annual Outstanding Advocacy Awards at the March 2009 National Legislative Conference. Apply now for an Outstanding Advocacy Award.
For more than a century, PTA members have been a powerful voice for the health and education of children. Advocacy efforts ensure that all children continue to thrive in safe and nurturing settings. In recognition of that hard work, the PTA national office will present the second annual Outstanding Advocacy Awards at the March 2009 National Legislative Conference. The 2009 Outstanding Advocacy Award will be presented to PTAs that strongly advocated for a policy, regulation, or piece of legislation in support of PTA's mission and goals.
Two awards will be presented: one to a state PTA and one to a unit, council, district or region PTA. The state PTA will receive $1,000 and the unit, council, district or region chosen will receive $500 to cover direct expenses for PTA advocacy work. In addition, recipients will each receive two all-expense paid trips to the 2009 National Legislative Conference and be recognized at an awards ceremony on Capitol Hill on March 12. Criteria and application materials are available at pta.org/AdvocacyAward. Deadline for nominations is December 1, 2008.
To learn how you can attend the 2009 National Legislative Conference, visit pta.org/LegislativeConference.



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Simple Ways to Raise Responsible Children

Teaching responsibility to your children might not be as familiar as teaching math or reading. However, parents can help children understand what it means to be responsible. Terri Khonsari, a speaker and author of Raising A Superstar: Simple Strategies to Bring Out the Brilliance in Every Child, provides four steps for raising a child who understands responsibility.

1. Start giving your children small tasks and chores when they are young. Add to their responsibilities as they get older. Children have a natural desire to help, and you can take advantage of their willingness when they are little. Ask them to take care of certain duties and hold them accountable. Teach them to do things because it helps them and those around them, and not because they get something material from you. Chores can start with very simple things like having them empty trash cans or put their own plate away, and later on they can graduate to washing the dishes or making the salad for dinner.
2. Model the responsible behavior you want your child to emulate. Children can see right through hypocrisy. If there is a discrepancy between your behavior and your teachings, they will copy your actions rather than follow your words. Be responsible in your own life; show care and dedication toward your job, your family, and the commitments that you make to your children and their school. Do you take care of your responsibilities with passion and show enthusiasm for doing what you need to do? Take care of your responsibilities and show your kids you can have fun at the same time.
3. Communicate with your children about responsible behavior. Let them know when you see them being responsible. Point to specific behaviors that you notice them excelling in. Children don’t know what it looks like to be responsible until you tell them and show them. Help them understand what you expect and make them feel they are being rewarded for doing the right thing, even if it is just a pat on the back. This will encourage them to continue being responsible and even strive to improve in other areas. Make responsibility a strong value for your whole family and announce it during your family quality times.
4. Believe in your children and show them that you believe they can be responsible. They will pick up on your belief and tend to fulfill expectations. Encourage your kids to do new things for themselves and for the family, and help them achieve their goals in the right way. Not only you will help them become responsible, you will boost their confidence as well.

It doesn’t hurt to have a chart to help remind everyone what their responsibilities are. That way there is no excuse to forget to do homework, feed the cat or take out the trash. As good habits are formed, you will be laying the foundation for your children to grow into dependable, responsible adults.
Terri Khonsari is the bestselling author of Raising A Superstar: Simple Strategies to Bring Out the Brilliance in Every Child. To learn more about Terri’s work visit http://www.raisingasuperstar.com/ and sign up for more free tips on raising happy, healthy and successful children.

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more recalls!

This message consists of the following:

1. GE Recalls to Inspect and Repair Wall Ovens Due to Fire and Burn Hazards (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09046.html)

2. Lithium-Ion Batteries Used with Bicycle Lights Recalled By DiNotte Lighting Due to Burn Hazard (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09045.html)

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1. GE Recalls to Inspect and Repair Wall Ovens Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2008
Release #09-046

Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 569-1588
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

GE Recalls to Inspect and Repair Wall Ovens Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: GE(r), GE Profile(tm), Monogram(r) and Kenmore(r) Wall Ovens

Units: About 244,000

Manufacturer: GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Ky.

Hazard: The extreme heat used in the self-clean cycle can escape, if the wall oven door is removed and incorrectly re-attached by the installer or the consumer. This can pose a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: GE is aware of 28 incidents of minor property damage in which adjacent kitchen cabinets have been damaged. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves GE wall ovens sold under the following brand names: GE(r), GE Profile(tm), Monogram(r) and Kenmore(r). The wall ovens were sold in white, black, bisque and stainless steel. The following model and serial numbers can be found inside the oven on the left interior wall. For microwave combination ovens, the serial number can be found on the left interior wall of the microwave.


Brand | Model | Serial Number Begins With
GE/Profile | JCT915, JT912, JT915, JT952, JT955, JT965, JT980*, JTP20, JTP25, JTP28, JTP48, JTP50, JTP86 | TD, VD, ZD AF, DF, FF, GF, HF, LF, MF, RF, SF, TF, VF, ZF
Monogram | ZET3058, ZET938, ZET958
Kenmore (All modelnumbers start with 911) | 4771, 4775, 4781, 4904, 4905, 4923* | 2T, 2V, 2Z 3A, 3D, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3L, 3M, 3R, 3S, 3T, 3V, 3Z

* Lower oven only


Sold at: Home builders and appliance stores nationwide from October 2002 through December 2004 for between $900 and $3,600.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately inspect the oven to make sure they do not have an incorrectly re-attached wall oven door, which will not open into the flat position. If the wall oven door is incorrectly re-attached, consumers should not use the self-clean cycle and call GE for a free repair. Consumers can continue to use normal baking or broiling function in the oven until the oven is repaired.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact GE toll-free at (888) 569-1588 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday ET, or visit the firm's Web site at www.GEAppliances.com

To see this release on CPSC's web site, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09046.html


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2. Lithium-Ion Batteries Used with Bicycle Lights Recalled By DiNotte Lighting Due to Burn Hazard

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2008
Release #09-045

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 822-7694
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Lithium-Ion Batteries Used with Bicycle Lights Recalled By DiNotte Lighting Due to Burn Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: DiNotte Lighting Lithium-Ion batteries used with bicycle lights

Units: About 1,700

Manufacturer: AA Portable Power Corp., of Richmond, Calif.

Distributor: DiNotte Lighting, of Hampton, NH

Hazard: A loose wiring connection and improper venting can cause the battery to overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: DiNotte Lighting Lithium-Ion battery with nylon bags are used with DiNotte 5W Li-Ion bicycle lights and DiNotte 3 LED police lights. The DiNotte logo is printed on the battery cable connector.

Sold at: Bicycle and recreation stores nationwide and by Internet retailers from February 2006 through March 2007 for between $200 and $400.

Manufactured in: United States and China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the battery and contact the company to receive a free replacement battery.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact DiNotte Lighting at (866) 822-7694 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, visit the firm's Web site at www.dinottelighting.com, or email the firm at service@dinottelighting.com
information about all types of recalls, visit www.recalls.gov

To see this release on CPSC's web site, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09045.html


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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

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Positive Parenting Idea of the Day

Positive Parenting Idea of the Day

Being the Best Parent You Can Be…One Idea at a Time

It is important to give children some guidance about how they might use whatever money they earn now and in the future.

-- Kerby T. Alvy, The Positive Parent: Raising Healthy, Happy and Successful Children, Birth through Adolescence.


Proud Mama To

From: Kids Health.org: Kids eating healthy

Good nutrition and a balanced diet help kids grow up healthy. Whether you have a toddler or a teen, here are five of the best strategies to improve nutrition and encourage smart eating habits:

1. Have regular family meals.
2. Serve a variety of healthy foods and snacks.
3. Be a role model by eating healthy yourself.
4. Avoid battles over food.
5. Involve kids in the process.

But it's not easy to take these steps when everyone is juggling busy schedules and convenience food, such as fast food, is so readily available.
Here are some ways to incorporate all five strategies into your routine.

Family Meals

Family meals are a comforting ritual for both parents and kids. Children like the predictability of family meals and parents get a chance to catch up with their kids. Kids who take part in regular family meals are also:

• more likely to eat fruits, vegetables, and grains
• less likely to snack on unhealthy foods
• less likely to smoke, use marijuana, or drink alcohol

In addition, family meals offer the chance to introduce your child to new foods and to act as a role model for healthy eating.
Teens may turn up their noses at the prospect of a family meal — not surprising because they're trying to establish independence. Yet studies find that teens still want their parents' advice and counsel, so use mealtime as a chance to reconnect. Also, consider trying these strategies:

• Allow your teen to invite a friend to dinner.
• Involve your teen in meal planning and preparation.
• Keep mealtime calm and congenial — no lectures or arguing.

What counts as a family meal? Any time you and your family eat together — whether it's takeout food or a home-cooked meal with all the trimmings. Strive for nutritious food and a time when everyone can be there. This may mean eating dinner a little later to accommodate a child who's at sports practice. It can also mean setting aside time on the weekends, such as Sunday brunch, when it may be more convenient to gather as a group.

Stocking Up on Healthy Foods

Kids, especially younger ones, will eat mostly what's available at home. That's why it's important to control the supply lines — the foods that you serve for meals and have on hand for snacks. Follow these basic guidelines:

• Work fruits and vegetables into the daily routine, aiming for the goal of at least five servings a day. Be sure you serve fruit or vegetables at every meal.
• Make it easy for your child to choose healthy snacks by keeping fruits and vegetables on hand and ready to eat. Other good snacks include low-fat yogurt, peanut butter and celery, or whole-grain crackers and cheese.
• Serve lean meats and other good sources of protein, such as fish, eggs, beans, and nuts.
• Choose whole-grain breads and cereals so kids get more fiber.
• Limit fat intake by avoiding deep-fried foods and choosing healthier cooking methods, such as broiling, grilling, roasting, and steaming. Choose low-fat or nonfat dairy products.
• Limit fast food and other low-nutrient snacks, such as chips and candy. But don't completely ban favorite snacks from your home. Instead, make them "once-in-a-while" foods, so kids don't feel deprived.
• Limit sugary drinks, such as soda and fruit-flavored drinks. Serve water and low-fat milk instead.

How to Be a Role Model

The best way for you to encourage healthy eating is to eat well yourself. Kids will follow the lead of the adults they see every day. By eating fruits and vegetables and not overindulging in the less nutritious stuff, you'll be sending the right message.
Another way to be a good role model is to limit portions and not overeat. Talk about your feelings of fullness, especially with younger children. You might say, "This is delicious, but I'm full, so I'm going to stop eating." Similarly, parents who are always dieting or complaining about their bodies may foster these same negative feelings in their kids. Try to keep a positive approach about food.

Don't Battle Over Food

It's easy for food to become a source of conflict. Well-intentioned parents might find themselves bargaining or bribing kids so they eat the healthy food in front of them. A better strategy is to give kids some control, but to also limit the kind of foods available at home.
Kids should decide if they're hungry, what they will eat from the foods served, and when they're full. Parents control which foods are available to the child, both at mealtime and between meals. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• Establish a predictable schedule of meals and snacks. It's OK to choose not to eat when both parents and kids know when to expect the next meal or snack.
• Don't force kids to clean their plates. Doing so teaches kids to override feelings of fullness.
• Don't bribe or reward kids with food. Avoid using dessert as the prize for eating the meal.
• Don't use food as a way of showing love. When you want to show love, give kids a hug, some of your time, or praise.

Get Kids Involved

Most kids will enjoy deciding what to make for dinner. Talk to them about making choices and planning a balanced meal. Some might even want to help shop for ingredients and prepare the meal. At the store, teach kids to check out food labels to begin understanding what to look for.
In the kitchen, select age-appropriate tasks so your child can play a part without getting injured or feeling overwhelmed. And at the end of the meal, don't forget to praise the chef.
School lunches can be another learning lesson for kids. More important, if you can get them thinking about what they eat for lunch, you might be able to help them make positive changes. Brainstorm about what kinds of foods they'd like for lunch or go to the grocery store to shop together for healthy, packable foods.
There's another important reason why kids should be involved: It can help prepare them to make good decisions on their own about the foods they want to eat. That's not to say that your child will suddenly want a salad instead of french fries, but the mealtime habits you help create now can lead to a lifetime of healthier choices.
Check out some healthy recipes for kids of all ages.
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: November 2007



Proud Mama To

Be A Parent, Not A Friend

One parenting problem that is very prevalent today is the confusion between fulfilling the role of a parent and the role of a friend. It is natural to want to give you children everything, but never saying no can lead to seriously spoiled children who will not understand the ways of the world when they are out on their own.
It is your job as a parent to teach your children the facts of life—good or bad—so that they can make their own good decisions in the real world. It is simply not fair to expect children to be able to make decisions that negatively affect their lives when they are not prepared to make those decisions. You have a pretty good idea of what is best for your children, and certainly a better idea than they do. It is your responsibility as the adult to pass the love and knowledge you have experienced in your own life to your children to give them the best opportunity to lead a successful life.
The principles you instill at a young age will follow your children throughout life. When they are little you make them brush their teeth, eat their vegetables and clean their rooms, not only because you know that these things are good for them, but also because you want them to one day learn to do them without being told. There are many times in life when we have to do things we do not want to do, and by not sugarcoating this idea when your children are young, they will be more accepting of it as they grow and mature into adults.
Never saying no doesn’t build friendship with your children. It may content them in the moment, but in the long run it will only make them selfish and rude. Never using the word no gives your child a handicap that will make it harder for him or her to succeed in life. No one will want to befriend, date, hire or live with a selfish person.

Playing the role of disciplinarian may not seem like a way to bond with your children, but once they grow past the stage when you are responsible for making their decisions, friendship can grow. They will respect you for making the good decisions for them that they were not able to make on their own. Let their peers be their friends. Their peers certainly are not going to act as parents, so this all-important chore is left to you.
Parenting is a grand struggle between giving to your child and instituting discipline. The balance will be different for everyone, but it is important to keep reevaluating what needs to be done and take steps to reestablish and maintain that balance.




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Baby Learns to Read with help from Signing Time

http://www.signingtime.com/baby-learns-to-read/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nov08news 

Last March, viewers of NBC’s Today Show watched in awe as 17-month-old Elizabeth Barrett read to them. Elizabeth’s parents attribute her early reading in part to Signing Time.
According to the Today Show, "Katy Barrett and her husband, Michael, are speech pathologists, and when Elizabeth was born they started teaching her sign language along with spoken language. They read to her often, and her favorite television program — the only one her parents let her watch — was a PBS show called ‘Signing Time,’ which teaches kids sign language."
After the Barretts appeared on the Today Show, Signing Time invited Elizabeth to be a part of Baby Signing Time 3 & 4, where she was able to demonstrate her sign language skills.
For the past six years, Signing Time has been dedicated to sharing the amazing benefits of sign language with all children. Thousands of parents like the Barretts are seeing that children can accelerate their language and reading development through the unique blend of sign language, written word, song and video modeling used in Signing Time.
Read What Rachel Thinks of This Reading Phenomenon
Read and view the March 2008 Today Show clips.




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summaries of articles related to child well-being in North Carolina

GENERAL NEWS AND INFORMATION

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Fayetteville Observer

http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=310185

Company nips part of child support

 

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s attorney general and the State Bar are investigating a Nevada company that offers to help collect child support in return for a one-third cut of the monthly payments.

 

Some parents told The News & Observer of Raleigh they thought the company, Child Support Services of Wake County, was a government agency. One customer said she signed a contract with the company that would have cost her more than $10,000 in lost child support payments. The local government agency that handles child support would have charged her no more than $25.

 

“I feel so stupid, but I was totally lied to. I was scammed,” said Paulette Turlington of Raleigh.

 

Authorities in three states have received complaints. The company and its owner, Stuart C. Cole, have been ordered to shut down in Florida. Georgia authorities are investigating the company.

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HEALTH

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Raleigh News & Observer

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/health_science/story/1294066.html

Get whooping cough shots, state says after Chatham hit

 

With at least 16 suspected cases of whooping cough in Chatham County, health leaders are again emphasizing the need for vaccinations against the potentially fatal disease.

 

For the first time this year, North Carolina required children in sixth grade to get a booster shot for pertussis, which is also called whooping cough for the distinctive high-pitched sound patients make during severe coughing spells.

 

"In 2007, we did have one death of a child" from pertussis, said Dr. Leah Devlin, state health director. "That is just unacceptable in a vaccine-preventable illness."

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WFMY

http://www.digtriad.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=113885&catid=57

NC Scores "F" On Premature Birth Report Card

 

Greensboro, NC -- A report issued by the March of Dimes foundation shows NC having a failing score with the number of preterm births.

 

North Carolina falls below the national average of a "D". The report shows that no states received an "A" with the only state to recieve a "B" being Vermont.

 

The March of Dimes says NC "faces a crisis level of premature births that is driving up health care costs and special education budgets; preventive action is needed immediately".

 

NC was given the grade based on a preterm birth rate of 13.7%, far from the objective of 7.6%.

 

"It is unacceptable that our nation is failing so many preterm babies," said Jennifer L. Howse, PhD, president of the March of Dimes. "We are determined to find and implement solutions to prevent preterm birth, based on research, best clinical practices, and improved education for moms."

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Raleigh News & Observer

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1293443.html

UNC children's specialty clinic opens in Raleigh

 

RALEIGH - N.C. Children’s Hospital opened a new children's specialty clinic in Raleigh today.

 

North Carolina Children’s Specialty Clinic, an outpatient facility, is an extension of N.C. Children's Hospital's outpatient pediatric clinic located at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

The clinic is located at 4414 Lake Boone Trail in the medical office building next to the Rex Birthing Center, according to a media release from N.C. Children’s Hospital.

 

"...this clinic represents something unique in addressing the state-wide shortage of pediatric subspecialists," said Alan Stiles, chief physician at N.C. Children’s Hospital and pediatrics chairman at the UNC School of Medicine, in the release. "Not only will it allow us to bring very specialized pediatric care closer to home for thousands of Triangle-area families, the clinic will also help expedite the care of children..."

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WECT-TV

http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=9332176&nav=menu157_5_2

Obese kids have old arteries

Kids these days are 13 going on 45, at least when it comes to their arteries.

 

According to research presented Tuesday at the American Heart Association's annual scientific sessions in New Orleans, obese adolescents had arteries more representative of someone three decades older.

 

"These data further illustrate the potential detrimental effects of obesity and its related risk factors, particularly components of the metabolic syndrome, on cardiovascular disease in children," said Dr. Carl Lavie, medical director of cardiac rehabilitation and prevention director of the Stress Testing Laboratory at Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute in New Orleans.

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SAFETY

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The Associated Press

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hZHJkBrEwt_rDoQqwu9n2alDd-4AD94DKD900

18 killed in toy-related incidents

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — At least 18 children under 15 years old died in toy-related accidents in 2007.

 

The majority of these deaths were caused by blocked airways, drowning or accidents involving motor vehicles, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission data.

Many of the incidents were not caused by the toys, but occurred while the children were playing.

 

Fourteen of the 18 children were boys.

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Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/12/AR2008111203115_pf.html

Toy Recalls Drop 46 Percent

 

Toy recalls are down 46 percent from last year, when manufacturers and retailers were forced to clear shelves of toys containing lead paint, dangerous magnets and in one case, a chemical that left children temporarily comatose.

 

But federal safety regulators said yesterday that parents should still be on the lookout for toys with small parts that could pose a choking hazard for children, including uninflated or broken balloons. They should also supervise children around scooters, ride-on toys, and battery chargers and adapters that come with electronic toys.

 

While naming those items as the top toy hazards, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said the number of toy recalls had dropped to 74 in 2008 from 138 in 2007.

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EDUCATION

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Rocky Mount Telegram

http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/news/content/gen/ap/NC_Hunt_Cabinet.html

Hunt says he's not interested in Obama Cabinet

 

RALEIGH, N.C. — Former Gov. Jim Hunt said Wednesday he's not interested in becoming Barack Obama's education secretary but wants to keep advising his administration on education issues.

 

Hunt, who served a record four terms as governor through 2001, had been on several lists of potential Cabinet members following Obama's presidential victory last week.

 

Returning from a three-day trip to Seattle for a Gates Foundation event attended by Obama education advisers, Hunt told The News & Observer of Raleigh he still expects to work closely with the U.S. Education Department, but he'll do it from North Carolina.

 

"I just spent several days with the top Obama people," Hunt said. "Many encouraged me to do it. I told them I would not go to Washington."

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ECONOMIC SECURITY

N.C. Policy Watch Radio

http://b2.ncpolicywatch.com/cms/wp-content/images/3ActionforChildrenNConfundinghealthcareinabudgetshortfall.mp3

Action for Children on Funding Health Care in a Budget Shortfall

 

Interview with Tom Vitaglione, Action for Children North Carolina Senior Fellow.

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Charlotte Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/othercities/denver/stories/2008/11/10/editorial3.html?b=1226293200^1730443

Economic times demand more financial education

 

With the recent volatility on Wall Street, those of us trying to survive on Main Street must become more financially literate. If the hallowed halls of banking and lending institutions can crumble, so can our respective personal financial frameworks.

 

For the last two years, consumer spending has outpaced after-tax earnings, and we carry approximately $2.5 trillion in debt, excluding home mortgages. We can, and must, teach the next generation to do better.

 

When did you first learn the financial facts of life? Are you a responsible steward of the economy, and will you teach your children to do the same?

 

Unfortunately, research indicates that only 43 percent of parents have discussed the importance of prioritizing needs and wants with their kids, and a surprising 42 percent of parents haven’t taken any steps to discuss financial basics with their children (according to Capital One’s 2006 Back to School Survey).

 

Many parents assume — incorrectly — that their children learn money-management skills as part of their school’s curriculum, when in fact, fewer than half of U.S. states require even a basic economics course, much less personal financial literacy education.

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CHILD MALTREATMENT

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The Charlotte Observer

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/573/story/315580.html

Child Labor Going Largely Unchecked

 

Nery Castañeda tackled a job that was never intended for kids his age.

 

One afternoon last fall, the 17-year-old Guatemala native ran a machine to grind damaged pallets into mulch. When a co-worker at the Greensboro plant returned from another task, he didn't see Nery – until he looked inside the shredder.

 

“A person shouldn't die like this,” said older brother Luis. “…He came with a dream and found death.”

 

Decades after the enactment of regulations designed to prevent such tragedies, thousands of youths still get hurt on American jobs deemed unsafe for young workers. On a typical day, more than 400 juvenile workers are injured on the job. Once every 10 days, on average, a worker under the age of 18 is killed, federal statistics show.

 

Enforcement has waned, despite new evidence that many employers are ignoring child labor laws. U.S. Department of Labor investigations have dropped by nearly half since fiscal year 2000.

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Charlotte Observer

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/local/story/337362.html

Federal, state lawmakers vow to get tougher on child labor

 

Federal and state lawmakers said this week they will push to strengthen the government's power to keep youths out of dangerous jobs and punish employers who violate child labor laws.

 

In Washington, some members of Congress want to beef up child labor inspections. In Raleigh, some legislators – along with the current and incoming governors – said they will move to stiffen fines for violating child labor laws. The maximum penalty of $250 per violation in North Carolina hasn't changed in nearly three decades.

“The employment of underage workers in high-risk, physically dangerous jobs as uncovered by The Charlotte Observer is alarming,” N.C. Gov.-elect Bev Perdue said. “The need is clear – there must be tougher enforcement of our state's child labor laws and stiffer penalties for any business or industry caught breaking them.”

Thank you,

Action for Children North Carolina

Proud Mama To

News from CPSC - Press Release, CPSC Public Calendar

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This message consists of the following:

1. Shop CPSC Toy Safety Tips Before Shopping for Holiday Gifts (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09040.html)

2. CPSC Public Calendar Vol. XXXVI No. 7 (http://www.cpsc.gov/calendar.html)

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1. Shop CPSC Toy Safety Tips Before Shopping for Holiday Gifts

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2008
Release #09-040

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

Shop CPSC Toy Safety Tips Before Shopping for Holiday Gifts

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The holidays are here and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has its list. Parents and gift buyers are encouraged to check it twice. Today, CPSC issued its annual holiday safety messages, joined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Safe Kids Worldwide, to remind parents to be diligent when making holiday shopping choices.

"CPSC, CBP and industry activity has been with one goal in mind, to keep the toys our children play with the safest in the world" said Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. "Vigorous inspection of toys, testing and law enforcement have made toys the safest this season."

For 2007, the Commission has reports of 18 toy-related deaths and CPSC staff estimates that there were about 170,100 hospital emergency-room treated toy-related injuries to children under 15. Most of the deaths were associated with airway obstruction from small toys, drowning, or motor vehicle accidents during play. Most of the injuries were lacerations, contusion and abrasions; the head and face was the area most frequently affected.

The top 5 toy hazards:

* Scooters and other Riding Toys - Riding toys, skateboards and in-line skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should be worn at all times and be sized to fit.

* Small Balls and other Toys with Small Parts - For children younger than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.

* Balloons - Children under eight yrs. can choke or suffocate on un-inflated or broken balloons. Keep un-inflated balloons from children. Discard broken balloons at once.

* Magnets - For children under age six, avoid building or play sets with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed, serious injuries and/or death can occur.

* Chargers and Adapters - Charging batteries should be supervised by adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.

Once the gifts are open:

* Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become dangerous play things.

* Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings.

* Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging.

With the increased popularity of second-hand stores and on-line vendors, gift-givers should be especially vigilant to prevent the sale or purchase of hazardous products that have been recalled, banned or do not meet current safety standards. Before placing products in the second-hand market, check its recall status at www.cpsc.gov. Buyers should make sure their gifts do not include any of the recalled toys or children's products on CPSC's web site.

Also, at this web site, consumers can keep up-to-date on dangerous products by signing up to have recall announcements sent directly to their email account. Choose to receive all recall announcements or children's product recalls only. Consumers also can call CPSC's toll-free hotline at (800) 638-CPSC. For information about all types of recalls, visit www.recalls.gov

To see this release on CPSC's web site, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09040.html

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2. CPSC Public Calendar Vol. XXXVI No. 7

CPSC Public Calendar
Vol. XXXVI No. 7

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Bethesda, Maryland 20814

November 12, 2008

Commission Agendas

There are no Commission briefings or Commission meetings scheduled for the week of November 17, 2008. For a recorded message concerning the latest agenda information call (301) 504-7948.

Meetings Between Commission Staff and Outside Parties

All meetings listed below are open to the public unless otherwise stated. For information on a specific meeting or to attend a meeting, please call the contact person listed for that meeting.

Abbreviations: we use asterisks (*) to identify meetings for the current week which have not appeared before in the printed Public Calendar. If the meeting involves discussion of a "substantial interest matter," defined by CPSC's Meetings Policy, we show the date when we posted notice of the meeting on the Master Calendar. The Master Calendar is in the Office of the Secretary, Room 502, telephone (301) 504-7923. We indicate whether a meeting is of substantial interest by the symbol (S); we use the symbol (N) to indicate non-substantial interest meetings. The Commission offices are located in the Bethesda Towers Building, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland.

Under the Meetings Policy, a staff person holding or attending a substantial interest meeting must file a log of the meeting with the Office of the Secretary within 20 days.

Week of November 17 thru November 23

Tuesday and Wednesday, November 18-19

Acting Chairman Nancy Nord, Gib Mullan, Director, Office of Compliance and Field Operations, and Richard O'Brien, Director, Office of International Programs and Intergovernmental Affairs, attending and participating in the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization's (ICPHSO) 4th European Meeting and Training Symposium; Brussels, Belgium. For additional information contact Frederica Clair, (301) 504- 7522. (S)

Future

Thursday, December 4

This meeting will review the new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) with regard to phthalates, including, but not limited to, the scope of products covered, test methods to determine phthalate levels and the use of phthalates in children's products more generally; 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Bethesda Towers, 4th Floor Hearing Room 420. Pre- registration is required. The meeting will also be available live via webcast. For registration and additional information visit, http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/phth.aspx

Addendum

Meeting notices printed in this section did not reach the Office of the Secretary in time to meet the Tuesday noon deadline for the previously printed Public Calendar. Under the CPSC Meetings Policy, however, staff persons, including Commissioners, can meet the seven-day notice requirement by placing notice of the meeting on the Master Calendar at least seven days before the meeting. The Master Calendar is in the Office of the Secretary, Room 502, Bethesda Towers Building.

In addition, the policy allows the Office of General Counsel to waive the seven-day notice requirements of meetings of the staff personnel, and individual Commissioners can waive the requirements for themselves and their personal staff.

Wednesday, November 5

Acting Chairman Nancy Nord and Joe Martyak, Chief of Staff, met with Neil Goldberg, Goldberg Segalla, Cheryl Possenti, Goldberg Segalla, Jim Walter, Mattel's senior vice president of Worldwide Quality Assurance, Mick Monahan, Senior Counsel of Regulatory Affairs for Mattel, to discuss the new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA); 1:00 p.m., Bethesda Towers, room 724. The meeting was requested by Neil Goldberg. For additional information contact Autumn Moore, (301) 504- 7040 or e-mail amoore@cpsc.gov. Posted on Master Calendar 11/5/08. (S)

Friday, November 7

Cheryl Falvey, General Counsel, met with the Art & Creative Materials Institute, Inc. to discuss certification of products under Section 102 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA); 1:30 p.m., Bethesda Towers, room 702. For additional information contact Cheryl Falvey, (301) 504-7642. (OGC approved waiver of seven-day notice.) Posted on Master Calendar 11/6/08. (S)

Thursday, November 13

Cheryl Falvey, General Counsel, speaking before the ABA Section of Litigation Products Liability Committee, Women in Products Liability Conference on The Impact of the CPSIA on Handling a Product Recall; 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY. For additional information contact Cheryl Falvey, (301) 504-7642. Posted on Master Calendar 11/6/08. (S)

Friday, November 14

John Gibson Mullan, Mary Toro, Matthew, Office of Compliance and Field Operations, and Vincent Amodeo, Directorate for Engineering Sciences, meeting with representatives from the Bicycle Products Suppliers Association (BPSA) to discuss requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act; 1:30 p.m., Bethesda Towers, room 714. The meeting was requested by the BPSA. For additional information contact Mary Toro, (301) 504- 7586. Posted on Master Calendar 11/7/08. (S)

To see the public calendar on the website, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/calendar.html

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.




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Premature birth on the rise, see how you can help

Premature Birth is Still on the Rise

The March of Dimes speaks up for babies every day -- and on Prematurity Awareness Day, we make sure even the smallest babies are heard.

The March of Dimes has released a Premature Birth Report Card for the nation and every state. We scored a D overall because the number of babies born too soon in our country is 60 percent higher than the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2010 objective of 7.6 percent. State-by-state grades are also available in the Report Card. Visit marchofdimes.com and find out how your state measures up.

For the past few weeks, we've been asking everyone to sign our online Petition for Preemies and help us send a message to our newly elected local and national officials. Thousands of caring people have already responded. If you were one of them, thank you for your support! If you missed it, go to marchofdimes.com/petition. Don't forget, you can sign up for advocacy alerts to make sure you won't miss any opportunities in your area and nationally.

You can help by sending this message along to family and friends!

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Positive parenting idea of the day

When the heart overflows, it comes out through the mouth.



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Positive parenting idea of the day

Positive Parenting Idea of the Day

Being the Best Parent You Can Be…One Idea at a Time

Most of us have learned that a polite request from an authority figure is equivalent to an order.  It just feels better to be asked than told.  However, if your child does not respond to a gentle nudge, increase the power by telling him what to do while using a firmer tone of voice.  Do this before you get angry, as anger often produces a harsh, aggressive tone of voice that tempts some children into rebelling. Stay calm and firm.

--Popkin, Youngs and Healy, Helping Your Child Succeed at School


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Unschooling?? I am too concerned about my kids future!!

I just became aware of the Unschooling movement. Huh? I knew about homeschooling, but unschooling? It sounds like an oxymoron. But apparently it is quite a growing movement in the country.

Currently it is estimated that anywhere between 100,000 and 200,000 children are following this unconventional method of learning. Unlike the home school method of learning, unschooled children follow no set curriculum, rather they learn what they want, when they feel so inclined. This is because the philosophy of the learning method states that humans have an ingrained need to learn and will do so if theft t their own devices.

Okay, I can buy that. But it seems like a fairly large leap of faith. You only have once chance to ensure that your child receives the best education possible. What if your child feels the need to play video games rather than explore the beauties of math? Or what if your kid decided to spend his entire childhood reading only comic books? What then? Or never learning to read at all?

What kind of qualifications will they have in this ever changing world where knowledge is power? And education is key to success? 



Homeschooling itself is controversial. The National Parent Teacher Association opposes the practice, as do the National Education Association and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Unschooling is even more controversial. To some educators it’s tantamount to uneducating. They worry that while the popularity is gaining, it’s not a good idea for many families.

“If the parents are highly educated and/or from a higher socioeconomic level, the kids are going to get all kinds of rich experiences because the nature of the home is going to be about books, experiences, education and learning,” says Myron Dembo, a University of Southern California professor of education. “These kids won’t be harmed as much from [unschooling] as the kids who have parents without much education. One thing I worry about, though, is that the parent may be less competent than the parent thinks.”

Dembo, the author of "Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Success," agrees that the best education comes when children are self-motivated, but he says without formal matriculation some kids risk simply being left out. They may not master basic skills, they won’t receive so much as a high school diploma, and their chances for productive futures could become nonexistent.



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Raising a well-behaved child or teen is easy, if parents are willing to work at it!

1. Parental Accountability. Whether good or bad, parents must share some responsibility for their children’s actions. However, instead of raising their own children, parents are relying on teachers and other authority figures to fill the role of mom and dad. Are the parents of kids who commit crimes so detached they don’t realize their offspring are walking time bombs? To counteract trouble, it is imperative that parents become familiar with their children’s universe: habits, friends, social network and extra curricular activities.
2. Setting the Rules. Parents should set their own standards, however, it is a good idea to check with other parents and perhaps the school, about the prevailing views on curfews, alcohol and other issues pertinent to teens. You can’t always trust children to accurately report about regulations in other families. It is also a good idea to remember that each family is different, so rules will vary.
3. Parents should not differentiate on the rules. Both parents should agree on a course of action and support each other. Kids will use every opportunity to take advantage of differences between parents. For example: Justin, a 15-year-old with an overactive libido is told by his macho dad that it’s normal for a young man to have sex with multiple partners, but his mom espouses abstinence. As a result of this discrepancy, Justin is totally confused.
4. Discuss the rules with your children. Explain your position calmly, and be prepared to back up your ideas. Remember, things have changed a great deal since you were your children’s age. Listen carefully to your children. Particularly the oldest, who usually has the toughest time because he or she is a trailblazer for those who follow.
5. Rules must be geared to the ability of the child to handle responsibility. Development in adolescence is uneven not only physically, but also emotionally. One 16-year-old may be able to manage a flexible curfew, but another may not be mature enough. If rules are not followed, parents must first examine their own roles, expectations and motivations. Are they contributing to the problem? Are the demands arbitrary and unreachable? Example: Vulgar language. What kind of language do the parents use? If every word out of their mouth is filthy or offensive, there’s a strong probability the children will develop the same habit. Racist Behavior. Children aren’t born with prejudices, they are learned from parents and other adults. If you detest minorities, your attitude will reflect that view.
6. Let children know who’s in charge. Parents who are afraid of their children and let them run amuck are bound to have problems. Unlike prior generations, a barrage of laws protect today’s youth, which makes it difficult for parents to dispense discipline. Despite the legal process, parents should make it clear that they are in charge, and children as long as they are under their roof are obliged to obey the rules.
7. Avoid hostile confrontations. Create an atmosphere where troubling situations are expressed with positive reinforcement. If parents discover their daughter is using drugs they should refrain from losing control. Instead, they should remain calm and point out the dangers of substance abuse. After explaining your position, seek professional help. If the child refuses to undergo treatment, as a parent you are required to see that she is admitted to a chemical dependency program within 36 hours.
8. Never tag a child with the worthless label. According to experts, children are very impressionable. If a youngster is repeatedly told he is no good, he will act in accordance with that image. Thus, he begins to live up to that reputation and is more likely to get into trouble. Defiant behavior is often used to get attention or to test limits.
9. Always deal with your child with understanding. Children react to fairness. However, it is OK to be angry if your anger is motivated by your concern for their safety. It is your job to protect them however parents should not protect their children if they commit a serious crime. If a child is found guilty of stealing or destroying public property, he or she should be given the punishment befitting the crime.
10. Treat each child equally. Avoid paying too much attention to one child, while purposely ignoring the other. Remember that each child is born with unique abilities, unlike anyone else. Learn to appreciate each child’s talent and individuality. If parents follow these suggestions, perhaps unruly behavior will become a thing of the past, rather than a trend of the future.



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