ADVOCATE Help us make an issue of homeless families and teens!

As of 5/13/10, "THE EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITHOUT HOMES ACT (H.R. 5285)" was introduced by a bipartisan team of champion legislators.

Our partner organization, NAEHCY, via Barbara Duffield, offers these suggestions:

What Can I Do Now?

House sponsors are needed now! Ask your member of Congress to sign on. This ALERT has all the info you'll need.

FUNDING!

There is still much that can be done to support increased funding for the EHCY and RHYA programs.

If your U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator is on the House or Senate Appropriations Committee, he or she will have the ability to shape the FY2011 appropriations bills as the legislation is drafted. Please check the rosters of the committees at the links below. If your U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator is on the committee, please urge him or her to support funding for EHCY and RHYA at the levels described above (see points below), and/or inviting the member to visit your program and learn more about the needs of homeless children and youth in your community. Please urge community partners to support you in these efforts.

House Appropriations Committee Roster: http://appropriations.house.gov/members111th.shtml

Senate Appropriations Committee Roster: http://appropriations.senate.gov/about-members.cfm

If your U.S. Representative or U.S. Senator is not on the House or Senate Appropriations Committee, please urge him or her to contact the Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Members to continue to press for increased funds.   If the Congressional office tells you that program request letters have already been submitted, please encourage verbal communication to the Appropriations leaders informally on the Senate and House floor, at Caucus meetings, and other venues where Members interact with each other. Please urge community partners to support you in these efforts.

POINTS TO INCLUDE IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

·      Please support $140 million for the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program and $165 million for Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs.
·      The need for EHCY/RHYA has increased dramatically due to the economic recession. Include local statistics if you have them.
·      The activities supported by EHCY and RHYA are essential for homeless children and youth to escape their homeless situation and become productive members of society. Describe services provided, remaining barriers, and unmet needs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Barbara Duffield, Policy Director, National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, 202.364.7392, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

MORE ADVOCACY tidbits...

• Watch HEAR US' 2 1/2 minute video, So They Say, that explains the homeless definition issue.

• FAFSA FIX VICTORY! Now that unaccompanied homeless youth can more easily apply for financial aid for college we need to make sure people know about it. CLICK HERE for important info to open college doors for qualified homeless youth.
  
  Watch an inspiring 3-minute video on the FAFSA Fix that HEAR US created from our visit to DC in June ‘07. Watch a video of teens lobbying for the right to go to college. 8MB-takes a few moments to download (Filmed and produced by Laura Vazquez, NIU communication professor, HEAR US video collaborator)

• DIANE'S BLOG opens up an interactive discussion on issues of homelessness, poverty and RVing.
• Poverty In America, Change.org's look at poverty issues with Diane Nilan as a weekly contributor. Check her blog.
• MY OWN FOUR WALLS tells the story of homelessness in a way that nothing else does. What a great tool to pass on to your member of Congress...TO ORDER
• REACH, HEAR US' project to empower incarcerated parents and others.

• VOLUNTEER at a local shelter or pantry.
  
• COLLECT items needed by homeless families or teens at shelters or schools.
• TUTOR homeless kids at a local school or shelter.
• ARRANGE a showing of My Own Four Walls in your community.
• MEET with your local, state government representatives and/or Member of Congress to share My Own Four Walls and to relate your concerns about homeless families and teens.
• DONATE copies of My Own Four Walls, or other HEAR US materials to local libraries and schools.