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| Today's Lynchings
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Montgomery, AL, and go to the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Truth and Justice, both projects of the Equal Justice Initiative. As powerful as the words of Bryan Stephenson, founder and executive director, are in his book, Just Mercy, and in the recent HBO documentary “True Justice,” there is nothing like being in Montgomery to feel the raw emotion of our nation’s abominable history from slavery to mass incarceration. The very air in Montgomery is heavy, emblematic of the burden that white society bears for sins both past and present.
Much of my youth and early adulthood was spent in the South. I was aware of the signs of ongoing racial discrimination, but I was comfortable in my life, so did virtually nothing. My high school had over 2000 students, fewer than a dozen were black, despite the many black families who lived nearby. The school nickname was “The Rebels” and the Confederate flag was raised each morning and carried with enthusiasm at all pep rallies and football games. “Dixie” was the school song. I was often disgusted, but mostly I sat by silently. What could I do? I am now certain that it was much more.
The monuments to the victims of lynchings are silent reminders of a hateful past. I saw monuments for lynchings that occurred in a number of places where I have lived. But, they are also testament to a present of continuing discrimination, evidenced in our criminal justice system. Evidenced by the recent outbursts on sending American citizens “back to their county.” This is something we can correct. This is something we must correct. It, alone, will not make up for past sins. But, it will help us ensure a better future.
Lee Sherman, President & CEO
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| In Case You Missed It... PolicySource is Live!
Two weeks ago, NHSA launched PolicySource, an innovative tool to inform the human service sector, and general public, about federal legislation impacting youth, families, people with disabilities, and older adults. PolicySource organizes federal legislation in one of those five overarching categories, and within those categories, individual bills are further organized into one or more of 80 sub-issues covering more than 300 individual bills. PolicySource also allows visitors a way to contact their local Representative and Senators. If you haven't already, check it out.
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| Bill Highlight: Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs
By Terrence Kane, NHSA Intern
In May, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 987, a bipartisan omnibus bill that aims to increase healthcare access and lower prescription drug prices. The Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act combines seven bills that affect change across the healthcare arena, primarily broken into two major sections: drug pricing and health insurance coverage. The bill would aim to lower drug prices by restructuring the patent process in a way that prevents large pharmaceutical companies from developing de facto monopolies over drug production. Read the full details.
H.R. 987 passed the house along a party line vote and is now awaiting consideration by the Senate. The bill, which would increase the role of the Federal Government in healthcare, is likely to face stiff opposition from those who believe in more limited government intervention. NHSA will continue to track H.R. 987 closely. To stay updated on the progress of H.R. 987, check out PolicySource, the comprehensive database of federal legislation that impacts the human service sector.
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| The Citizenship Question and the Future of the 2020 Census
Last week, the administration formally announced that the upcoming census would not contain the untested and unnecessary citizenship question. The inclusion of the question would have disincentivized immigrants from filling out the form, which would have had a negative impact on federal funding, political representation, and overall would have posed significant threats to the work of nonprofits in local communities nationwide.
However, the proposed inclusion of the question has likely done lasting damage to immigrants’ and people of colors’ willingness to fill out the survey. For information on how your organization can work to overcome this fear and ensure that every member of your community is counted, check out this article in the Nonprofit Quarterly, written by Tim Delaney, President and CEO of our partners at the National Council of Nonprofits.
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Opportunities and Resources
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General
Funding
- Encore Fellow – Individuals seeking a high-impact, flexible, time-limited, paid assignment with nonprofits and public agencies, or offering the opportunity to work in a new social-purpose environment should apply. Deadline: Ongoing via Encore.org »
- 12 unique funding opportunities each week via GrantStation Insider »
Job Listing
Webinars
- “Learning About Positive Youth Development: A Free & Fun Course for Youth Work Professionals” via The Dibble Institute from 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET on August 14 »
- ON DEMAND - Volunteer Perspective: Industry Insights for 2019 via PurchasingPoint and Verified Volunteers Recording »
- ON DEMAND - Moving Your Office Phones to the Cloud via PurchasingPoint and Votacall from 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET on Recording »
Events
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The Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) recently published its "2019 KIDS COUNT Data Book: State Trends in Child Well-Being" covering child health, education, family and community, and economic well-being indicators at the national and state levels. AECF “is devoted to developing a brighter future for millions of children at risk of poor educational, economic, social and health outcomes” and was an early and generous funder of the National Reframing Initiative. Published annually for the last thirty years, “KIDS COUNT provides legislators, public officials and child advocates with reliable data, policy recommendations and tools to advance policies that benefit children.” In presenting the wealth of data, the 2019 report and press release use several reframing strategies. Read more about how the press release is well-framed and the media attention gained from state partners.
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We are pleased to announce the launch of the 2019 Race to Lead Survey, an initiative of our partner, Building Movement Project. This short, confidential survey is open to anyone working for pay in the U.S. nonprofit sector. It focuses on experiences at work, views of leadership, and perspectives on nonprofits and race. By participating, you will contribute to one of the largest existing data sets on race and leadership in the nonprofit sector, and will help inform the next round of Race to Lead reports. The survey should take about 25 minutes to complete.
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National Human Services Assembly • 1101 14th Street NW, Suite 600 • Washington, DC 20005
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