Nola.com posted an article recently about child hunger in New Orleans. The article stated: ” Feeding America’s data, outlined in its “Map the Meal Gap” study, show that, in Louisiana, nearly one in five children — 18 percent — is “food insecure,” meaning that their families worried that food would run out, bought food that didn’t last or skimped on meals. Basically, households that are food insecure experience the kind of food shortages that lead to hunger, which now, by federal definition, is no longer just a growling stomach but “discomfort, illness, weakness or pain that goes beyond the usual uneasy sensation.” To read the complete article click here.
Child hunger is high in Louisiana, New Orleans area, studies show
U.S. Child Poverty Rate Increases to 20% Says Kid Count Study
August 17, 2011; Source: Christian Science Monitor | The Annie E. Casey Foundation released their most recent Kids Count Study on Wednesday and the findings on child poverty rates are deeply disturbing, though probably unsurprising to most of you. Across the nation, child poverty grew by 18 percent over the last decade and the rate now stands at 20 percent. This means that one of every five children in the U.S.—15 million in all—lives in poverty.
Thirty-eight states saw their child poverty rates increase. Child poverty is not evenly distributed geographically. New Hampshire, at 11 percent, and Minnesota, at 14 percent, posted the lowest child-poverty rates, while the highest levels were seen in Alabama at 25 percent, Louisiana at 24 percent, and Mississippi at 31 percent. The rise in child poverty nationwide reverses gains that were seen in the early 1990s, according to Patrick McCarthy, the foundation’s CEO. Data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, the National Delinquency Survey and the U.S. Census Bureau among other sources was used to compile the study.—Ruth McCambridge
Source: The Nonprofit Quarterly
Total Community Action, Inc. Public Hearing
The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC), Office of Workforce Development/ Community Services Block Grant Program has prepared a plan to submit to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The State Plan is for the operation of the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG) for program years 2012 and 2013. This plan will continue to be used on the local level by community action agencies to provide services to assist in ameliorating poverty.
Total Community Action will hold a public hearing on the plan and its impact and effects on local services to Orleans Parish residents on Monday, August 8, 2011 at 6:00pm at the America Red Cross Auditorium, 2640 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA.
Questions or comments may be addressed to; James Kelley Terry, Director of Research, Planning, and Development, TCA 1420 South Jefferson Davis Parkway, New Orleans, LA 70125 or (504) 302-9140 or email jkelley@tca-nola.org through August 8, 2011.
Download Public Notice
Download Proposed Plan
TCA University Without Walls Community Leadership Institute
Please be advised that the registration for the TCA University Without walls Community Leadership Institute has been EXTENED through June 21, 2011.
Click here to download registration form.
Dr. Peter W. Dangerfield Head Start Training Center
Total Community Action, Inc. is proud to announce the opening of the Dr. Peter W. Dangerfield Head Start Training Center on June 1, 2011.
The purpose/ mission of the Peter W. Dangerfield, DPA Head Start Training Center is to prepare newly hired Head Start staff to perform their job responsibilities in conformance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, licensing regulations, best practices, and agency policies, procedures, and standards. This goal will be achieved primarily through the provision of orientation and training for all new Head Start employees before they report to their job site. Orientation and training will be provided in a variety of modalities – each focused on a desired outcome for staff. Working directly with children, their families, and the center environment will provide opportunity for new employees to apply skills developed. Coaching, guidance, mentoring, and support will be provided by staff that was especially selected and trained for this purpose.
A second purpose of the center is to provide continuing education and staff development for selected individuals or groups of staff.
Additional purposes of the center are:
- to provide training of child care workers for other organizations
- to serve as a site for the training of college students in early childhood education, family development, nursing, social work, and related fields
- to pilot innovative approaches in early childhood education, particularly those that are being considered for inclusion in the TCA Head Start program
- to assist companies in the development and testing of age and developmentally appropriate materials and supplies; and
- to participate and/or undertake research initiatives that will contribute positively to the field of early childhood education.
National Community Action Month
Total Community Action, Inc. proudly celebrates National Community Action month. We have lots of activities lined up. Take a peek:
Emerging Leaders
In December 2010, the Board of Directors of Total Community Action, Inc. adopted the
agency’s Succession Plan which included the strategic development of identification and
selection of high potential employees (Emerging Leaders). This longer –term approach
to succession planning focuses on leadership development within the organization, and is
incorporated into the agency’s strategic planning.
**Total Community Action, Inc. Employees Only.
Our Neighborhood 2111
As part of the United Neighborhood Center of America (UNCA) 100th Anniversary Celebration, UNCA is asking ALL members to have ALL of their youth participate in an opportunity called Our Neighborhood 2111. Young neighbors will be able to take charge of their own future by lifting their voices in answering these two questions. This is TCA’s chance to gain national recognition, and for your young neighbors (aged 2 – 24) to shine on a national stage too.
When responding to the above questions, youth will be encouraged to utilize whatever means of creative expression they choose. The five submission categories include:
Public Art: Murals, Sculptures
Visual Art: Paintings, Photography
Performing Art: Plays, Dances
Literary Art: Poetry, Stories
Media Art: Videos, Documentary
No project is too big, no project is too small. Envision the future, make it happen.
All entries MUST be submitted by June 3, 2011; however, early submission is encouraged. Please return the attached Intent to Apply by April 29, 2011.
The winner of the Our Neighborhood 2111 Project competition will represent TCA on a national level. A panel will determine the best examples of these expressions. Winning youth will receive scholarship support to perform, display, or otherwise unveil their entry at the October 17 – 19, 2011 finale of UNCA’s 100th Anniversary in Washington D.C. Additional prizes will be announced.
For more information about the project check out the United Neighborhood Center of America website at www.unca.org
Summer Youth Programs 2011
SUMMER YOUTH WORK EXPERIENCE: Provides youth (aged 16-24) with paid work experience within their desired career tract.
ProjectFAYCE: Offers youth (aged 15-17) the opportunity to set the agenda and expose topics of concern through various mediums through community based participatory research and action.
YOUNG EXECUTIVES: Offers youth (aged 12-15) with the opportunity to explore various career tracts through real-world experience and research.
Our Neighborhood 2111: Offers youth (aged 2-24) a chance to express there views on what their community would look like in 100 years.
For more information contact Sinnidra Taylor at sinnidra.taylor@tca-nola.org or call (504) 872-0334
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