What's New?
Resource Brief:
Philanthropy, Advocacy, Vulnerable Children and Federal Policy: Three Essays on A New Era of Opportunity
by Charles Bruner
The three essays in this resource brief represent a broad view on both the past and potential future roles for philanthropy and child advocacy in influencing federal policy, as we move into a new political era.
Full Resource Brief (84-page pdf):
Essay 1: Philanthropy and Federal Policy (54-pg pdf)
Essay 2: Supporting Public Investments in Children: Beyond "Either/Or Thinking" (10-pg pdf)
Essay 3: Investing in Federal Advocacy for Children: Assessing Need and Opportunity (8-pg pdf)
Resource Brief:
Clinical Health Care Practices and Community Building:
Addressing Racial Disparities in Health Child Development
by Charles Bruner, Ph.D. and Edward Schor, M.D.
CFPC has released a report initially prepared for the Institute of Medicine’s Roundtable on Health Disparities which argues that disparities in child health conditions by race and ethnicity also co-occur with other disparities in child outcomes, including educational achievement, child welfare and justice system involvement. The paper goes on further to suggest that segmentations of responsibility in the health care system, especially with the primary care practitioner, can miss opportunities for addressing these disparities. This report has applicability to federal, state, and community strategies to improve child health outcomes and reduce health disparities, and should factor into federal work both in designing health care reform strategies and in developing Promise Neighborhoods.
To read to full report, click here
CFPC launches National Health Reform blog
CFPC has launched a new website to keep Iowans updated on where national healthcare reform legislation stands, and what are members of
Every Child Counts receives donation
The Association for Iowa's Children has donated $2,777.77 to Every Child Counts for the continuation of ongoing advocacy work for the children of Iowa. Pictured on left is Sheila Hansen, Policy Director for Every Child Counts. For more information on CFPC's advocacy branch, go to www.everychildcountsiowa.org
CFPC in the Media
The Ames Tribune published CFPC Exective Director Charlie Bruner's OpEd titled "A System for All", in which Bruner outlines four areas that require specific attention in federal health reform to ensure healthy development in children. Read the article here.
Governor Culver Signs New Legislation to insure an additional 12,380 Iowa children.
CFPC staff member Carrie Fitzgerald speaks at event.
May 19, 2009: CFPC Senior Health Policy Associate Carrie Fitzgerald thanked Governor Culver, legislators and advocates for Iowa’s children for their efforts in moving closer to Iowa’s goal of covering all of Iowa’s children at the Senate File 389 bill signing event at Broadlawn’s Hospital.
“This bill is a solid example of when Government works well: When legislators, the Governor, and state agencies work together to accomplish what is best for children, families, and all Iowans,” Carrie said. “I am proud to have worked on this bill and to be a part of this event. Iowa is leading the nation in these efforts, and for that all of us should feel proud.”
To read the full press release, click here
To read Carrie's talking point, click here
To watch a video of Carrie’s speech only, click here
To listen to the audio of the entire event, click here
National Thirst to Learn Dialogue
Charles Bruner and Michelle Stover-Wright of the Child and FamilyPolicyCenter organized a national “Thirst to Learn” Dialogue on May 5th in Greensboro, North Carolina, focused on integrating early childhood service delivery and family-focused community building activities to ensure school readiness. Co-sponsored by the Build Initiative, the Smart Start Technical Assistance Center, and the Strengthening Families through Early Care and Education Initiative, the Dialogue included national, state, and community leaders. Building an Early Childhood Development System for America’s Future, the White Paper for the Dialogue, discusses both challenges and opportunities in linking service strategies with community building ones.
To view the White Paper, click below:
Building an Early Childhood Development System for America’s Future
To download the Power Point presentation, click below:
Thirst to Learn Dialogue: Setting the Context
CFPC Board Holds Annual Meeting in Newton
CFPC Board members from left: Jan Flora, Rizwan Shah, Tom Parks, Sue Donielson, Charles Bruner, Mary Dubert. Not pictured: Chistopher Atchison, Cheryll Jones, and Lionel Foster.
Mid-Iowa Health Foundation Policy Brief
A review of state options to increase child health coverage in Iowa. New opportunities available from the federal legislation allows Iowa to move forward with new policies. Click here to download the policy brief.
Iowa Voter Surveys
In December, 2008, the Child and Family Policy Center contracted with Selzer & Company, a national opinion research company, to conduct a poll of Iowa voters, with the majority of questions focusing upon health care. 514 registered voters were surveyed between December 16 and December 18, 2008. These surveys show Iowa voters strongly support state efforts to expand health coverage, particularly for children. They also show that children's programs are at the top of the list of services to be protected from any budget cuts. The survey results can help inform lawmakers about voter priorities as they develop the 2010 state budget.
CFPC has produced two companion booklets to summarize the responses:
Voter Views: Iowans' Attitudes Toward State Health Care Reform
Voter Views: Iowans' Attitudes on State Budget Cuts and Government Services