E-Notes
May 16, 2005

In this issue of E-Notes, you'll find:

A.  LISTEN TO CT VOICES "TAX CLASS" RADIO AD

B.  NEW PUBLICATIONS FROM CT VOICES
*  Moving Away from Crisis?: Alternatives in Financing Child Welfare
Services in Connecticut
*  Increasing Public Disclosure of Corporate Tax Credits: Why It Is
Important & How It Can Be Done
*  Hospitalization of Children in HUSKY A: CY 2003
*  Emergency Care of Children in HUSKY A: CY 2003

C.  YOUTH SPIRIT AWARDS - MAY 25

D.  ALBERT J. SOLNIT FELLOWSHIP AVAILABLE


A.  LISTEN TO CT VOICES "TAX CLASS" RADIO AD

A new radio advertisement from Connecticut Voices for Children draws
attention to the need for a more fair state tax system -- addressing a
serious issue in a humorous way.  In the ad, a teacher explains to her young
students that a family earning $50,000 per year pays twice the share of
their income in state and local taxes as a family earning a million dollars
per year.  The students, struggling to understand, protest that this is
simply not fair.  The ad is airing for several days on several stations,
reaching listeners across the state.

Listen to the ad: http://www.ctkidslink.org/radio.html

The ad highlights the issue of fairness in our state and local tax system:
Our wealthiest residents pay a far smaller share of their income in combined
state and local taxes (4.4%) than do lower-income residents (10%) and
middle-income residents (9.5%).

On our Web site, you can listen to the ad and find related facts and issue
briefs on state tax policy and solutions.
http://www.ctkidslink.org/radio.html


B.  NEW PUBLICATIONS FROM CT VOICES

1.  Moving Away from Crisis?: Alternatives in Financing Child Welfare
Services in Connecticut

This report outlines how more flexible federal funding rules and an
expansion of home- and community-based services could move Connecticut's
troubled foster care system away from its state of crisis and better serve
the needs of abused and neglected children.  It identifies some state agency
and state legislative strategies that could be implemented (without the need
for federal approval), as well as possible state plan amendments and waivers
under Title IV-E and Medicaid that could be sought that would allow for more
strategic uses of state and federal resources and allow Connecticut to claim
greater federal reimbursements. The report also calls on the federal
government to allow greater flexibility in the use of foster care funds
under Title IV-E.
http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_235.html

The Connecticut Network broadcast the forum on foster care reform where this
report was released.  You can watch the forum online using Windows Media
Player:
http://ctnv1.ctn.state.ct.us/F/foster_5-12-05.wmv

2.  Increasing Public Disclosure of Corporate Tax Credits: Why It Is
Important & How It Can Be Done

The growing use of corporate tax credits - without legislative review --
results in declining revenues in Connecticut. This fact sheets outlines the
importance of disclosing corporate tax credits and options for doing so.
http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_161.html

3.  Hospitalization of Children in HUSKY A: CY 2003

This second annual summary of hospitalizations in HUSKY A (Medicaid managed
care) found, remarkably, that fully 56% of all hospitalizations were for the
treatment of mental disorders (and among 6-14 year olds, 78% were for this
reason).  The next highest reason for hospitalization was for respiratory
problems (10%).  While the hospitalization rate was unchanged from the
previous year, both the average number of hospitalizations and the average
length of stay increased.
http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_236.html

4.  Emergency Care of Children in HUSKY A: CY 2003

This second annual summary of emergency care in HUSKY A (Medicaid managed
care) found that injuries were the leading cause for emergency care (26%
overall, and 33% for children age 6-14), followed by respiratory problems
(21% overall, and 27% for children under age 1).  Rates of emergency care
varied greatly among the health plans.  The emergency room visit rate in
HUSKY A is unchanged from the previous year, but the number of visits
increased due to an increase in the number of children in the program.
http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_237.html


C.  YOUTH SPIRIT AWARDS - MAY 25

Connecticut Voices invites you to join us at the 9th Annual Youth Spirit
Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 25, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  This
year's ceremony will take place at The Lyceum, 227 Lawrence Street, in
Hartford.  Our special guests will include Governor M. Jodi Rell and
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.

The Youth Spirit Awards recognize Connecticut youth who have shown an
extraordinary ability to overcome adversity. Come hear the issues and ideas
that are on the minds of young people today.  The event is free and open to
the public.

Please RSVP as soon as possible by phone 203-498-4240, fax 203-498-4242 or
e-mail veronica@ctki....  For a list of this year's awardees, see our
Web site:
http://www.ctkidslink.org/announcement_27.html


D.  ALBERT J. SOLNIT FELLOWSHIP AVAILABLE

Connecticut Voices for Children is seeking to fill its full-time Albert J.
Solnit Fellowship. This is an entry-level program position at CT Voices that
is specifically designed for persons who have recently graduated from
college and who are interested in doing some state-level policy work before
entering graduate school.

The Solnit Fellow would work with senior staff trained in law, public
health, psychology and economics on a range of research and policy analysis
initiatives, with a special emphasis on juvenile justice, mental health and
other related issues (including state and federal budget issues).  In
addition, the Solnit Fellow will work on state legislative initiatives
through CT Voices' partner lobbying organization, Advocates for CT's
Children and Youth, including preparing testimony for legislative hearings,
working with coalitions, and providing general legislative support.

Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree, excellent research, writing and
presentation skills, strong interpersonal skills and initiative, and a
passion to work on the full range of issues that affect children and their
families.  Some experience in policy research and analysis is preferred, as
is experience working with at-risk youth.  Skill in word processing,
spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and Internet use a plus. This is a salaried
position with excellent benefits. Position begins on or after September 1,
2005.  Last Day to Apply:  Friday, June 10, 2005

For more information:
http://www.ctkidslink.org/announcement_28.html

-----------------------------------------

Connecticut Voices for Children
New Haven office: 33 Whitney Ave, New Haven CT 06510, (203) 498-4240
Hartford office: 60 Gillett St, Hartford CT 06105, (860) 548-1661
www.ctkidslink.org
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