Announcements - Week of February 24, 2010

UCP in the News

• UCP national office / @nonprofitorgs: UCP named Nonprofit of the Week (Twitter account followed by more than 383,000 users)
• UCP of Eastern Connecticut / TheDay.com: Business in Brief (see The Dominion Foundation brief)
• UCP of Maine / Bangor Daily News: Sister of mogul Buffett gives $500,000 to Camp CaPella
• Easter Seals UCP North Carolina / Business North Carolina: UCP affiliate is featured as #94 in Top 100 Private-Sector Employers (February print edition)
• Easter Seals UCP North Carolina / YouTube: On behalf of the affiliate, Richard Worrell was awarded the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network $50,000 Community Impact Award, to purchase therapy equipment at all nine Easter Seals UCP Children's Centers statewide.
  
  
  
  YouTube: Charlotte-area Northwestern Mutual Office
  Honored with Community Impact Award

Affiliate Events & Opportunities

• UCP Awards for Excellence: Please submit applications for the annual UCP Awards for Excellence (Application deadline: Mar. 19; Affiliates may resubmit past submissions)
• UCP of Central Minnesota: UCP's "Under the Sea" Heat Wave event (Apr. 8)
• Easter Seals UCP North Carolina: Mobile giving campaign (Text "EASTER" to 85944 to donate $5 to affiliate)

Human Resources

• Internmatch: Use Internmatch to personalize the process that connects employers to interns
• Social Citizens: Millennials: Looking for More Than Just a Job

Disability, Nonprofit & Advocacy News

• The Wall Street Journal: Life Among the 'Yakkity Yaks' - The renowned inventor on how the insights she gained from her own autism fueled her career
• The New York Times: 'Family Guy,' Palin and the Limits of Laughter
• Miami Herald: Door-opening device could win Gulliver Prep students a national prize
• MEDILL Reports Chicago: Chicago census group works to get people with disabilities counted
• Disability.gov: Vancouver 2010 - Paralympic Games
• Justice for All blog: New Podcast Teaches Self-Advocacy Skills to Students with Disabilities
• Media dis & dat: AAPD to honor Stevie Wonder with its first AAPD Image Award
• Philadelphia Daily News: 'Eyes of Me' transcends blindness, encourages understanding
• Disability Scoop: Disability Concerns Factor In Obama Health Care Proposal
• Disability Scoop: Family Facing Deportation Over Cerebral Palsy Heads To Court

Fundraising News

• A Small Change: Satisfied Sponsors: Under Promise & Over Deliver
• Step By Step Fundraising: 12 Ways to Use Social Media to Market Your Fundraiser
• Fundraising Success: When Goofus and Gallant Raise Funds - Two paths to fundraising failure — and one to success.

Social Networking/Web 2.0

• Nonprofit Execs on the Edge: Social media blasphemy – it's ok to keep quiet
• Beth's Blog: How Nonprofit Organizations Can Use Social Media to Power Social Networks for Change: Zoetica's Charity Challenge
• Mashable: The Social Media Guide: Why Brands are Becoming Media
• Mashable: The Social Media Guide: 5 Tips for Creating Non-Profit Online Communities
• Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN): Tips for Writing Your First Social Media Policy
• Digidaily: Why Technologists Need Brand Translators
• YouTube: 4th Annual DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards
  
  
  
  YouTube: Enter the 4th Annual
  DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards

ANCOR’s 2010 Direct Support Professional Recognition Contest

Do you know a Direct Support Professional (DSP) staff member who should be recognized for his or her advocacy and commitment to the profession? Then don’t delay - ANCOR is calling for nominations for the 2010 Direct Support Professional Recognition Contest, and nominations close this Friday, February 26 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

In the fourth year that ANCOR has sponsored this contest as part of its National Advocacy Campaign, the program's purpose is to recognize the best of the DSP workforce and simultaneously raise awareness in Washington, D.C. for the devotion, professionalism and quality supports DSPs provide daily.

The contest offers a great way to recognize the tremendous role DSPs play in the lives of people with disabilities and the impact their work has in the communities they serve. In addition to having strong ties to the community, the ideal nominee should have a proven record of effective leadership and exemplary action in fostering inclusion and promoting greater independence for people with disabilities.

To learn more about and/or to submit a nomination to the 2010 DSP Recognition Contest, please visit http://www.ancor.org/nac/2010dspcontest.

As a reminder, the deadline to submit nominations is 5:00 p.m. ET Friday, February 26.

Special Honorees Recognized at UCP of Greater Birmingham Life Without Limits Luncheon

Annette Rosato and Leon V. Rosato, Jr. were among those honored at the UCP of Greater Birmingham Life Without Limits Luncheon.

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Greater Birmingham recently celebrated the Life Without Limits Luncheon on Wednesday, January 27. The affiliate presented the second annual Life Without Limits Awards to individuals and groups who have made outstanding commitments to support the work of UCP, benefiting children and adults with cerebral palsy and other physical and developmental disabilities.

Andrea Lindenberg, Morning/Midday Anchor from local TV affiliate NBC 13 HD welcomed guests and served as the luncheon emcee. Harry Brown, Senior Vice President for United Way of Central Alabama gave the invocation for the event.

This year’s luncheon featured special guest speaker D.J. Gregory, who as an infant, was never expected to walk by his doctors. Now at age 30, D.J. walks with a cane, holds a Master's degree in Sports Marketing, lives independently, works as an entrepreneur and lives a life without limits. In 2008, he accomplished the incredible feat of walking all 44 events of the 2008 PGA Tour season – 3256 holes – close to 1,000 miles. D.J. spoke about this incredible accomplishment and held a signing for his book, Walking with Friends: An Inspirational Year on the PGA Tour.

Those honored with the 2010 Life Without Limits Awards included: The Rosato Family, Legacy Award; Walmart, Outstanding Employer; GP Harmon Recycling, Outstanding Program Partner; Protective Life Corporation, Outstanding Corporate Citizen; and UAB School of Optometry, Outstanding Volunteer.

For more information about UCP of Greater Birmingham, please visit www.ucpbham.com.

Information & Referral: February is Children's Dental Month

Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Children with disabilities often do not receive adequate oral health care. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics found that dental care is the most prevalent unmet health care need for children with special healthcare needs, affecting substantially more children than any other health care need category. (Pediatrics, 2005)

ADA offers downloadable posters, activity sheets and brochures to help raise awareness about the importance of good oral health. They also provide ideas for activities for use in the classroom.

Learn more and find oral health resources for people with disabilities in your community.

Capitol Insider - Week of February 22, 2010

Read Capitol Insider for an overview of the week's most important public policy events.

Awards for Excellence at UCP 2010 Annual Conference

 

UCP affiliates are invited to celebrate success in their communities by submitting nominations for the distinguished 2010 United Cerebral Palsy Awards for Excellence. Awards will be presented at the Awards for Excellence Dinner on Friday, May 21 at the 2010 Annual Conference, May 20-22 in Chicago, Ill.

This is an opportunity for UCP affiliates to nationally recognize the contributions and commitment of exceptional individuals and organizations that making a difference in affiliate communities. Nominations for the Awards for Excellence make it possible for UCP to honor those who have made a strong and positive impact in the lives of people with disabilities.

UCP would like to hear about the great work being done by community volunteers, businesses and civic partners, individuals with disabilities and affiliates. Affiliates are encouraged to share stories and nominate an organization or individual whose exceptional dedication and truly superior achievement demonstrates the UCP mission of advancing the independence, productivity, and full citizenship of people with disabilities. UCP encourages affiliates to resubmit nominations from past years; they could be this year's winner.

The list of awards, criteria and nomination forms are available on the Annual Conference website at www.ucp.org/events/2010conference/awards and on AffNet. Please note that several of the awards have been changed to include new criteria.

Completed nominations should be mailed to:

United Cerebral Palsy
Attn: Awards for Excellence/Allyson Doherty
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036

Forms and supporting documentation must be received at the national office by Friday March 19, 2010. There will be no extensions. Winners will be notified the week of April 12, 2010.

If you have any questions please contact Allyson Doherty at adoherty@ucp.org or 202-973-7125.

Announcements - Week of February 17, 2010

UCP in the News

• UCP National / Albany Times Union: State needs to confront autism epidemic
• UCP of Greater Cinncinnati / Cincinnati.com: Adoptive parents host chili cook-off
• UCP of West Alabama / Tuscaloosa News: UCP suspending after-school program; Lack of donations is the cause of service cut

Affiliate Updates

• UCP of Greater Sacramento: UCP kids meet Olympians at Camp C.O.O.L.
• UCP of Greater Houston: Seeking mentors for Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP), a career-focused mentoring program for youth with disabilities

Affiliate Events

• UCP of Central Florida: An Evening at the Palace - UCP of Central Florida's 17th Annual Gala - A Toast to Caring Spirits (Mar. 6, 5:30 p.m. ET)
• UCP of Greater Houston: UCPals 2^nd Annual Spring Crawfish Boil (Mar. 13)
• UCP of Greater Houston: Hats Off to Mothers Luncheon (Mar. 23, 11:00 a.m. CT; RSVP on Facebook)

Conferences

• San Diego County People First: 20^th Annual People First Conference "Success and be your best with San Diego People First" (Jun. 12-13), a two-day event for self-advocates ages 18+, disability agency staff and family members of people with disabilities. The conference introduces power and importance of the people first movement - the rights movement for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• The Cerebral Palsy Group: West Coast CP Conference (Jun. 25-28, San Jose, Calif.)

Webinars

• Diosa Communications: How Nonprofit Organizations Can Successfully Utilize Online Fundraising and e-Newsletters (Mar. 18, 1:00 p.m. ET)
• Diosa Communications: How Nonprofit Organizations Can Successfully Launch and Maintain a Blog on WordPress (Mar. 23, 1:00 p.m. ET)
• Venrtureneer: Brandraising™: One Organization, Many Channels (Feb. 25, 2:00 p.m. ET)
• Venrtureneer: Cause Marketing Basics (Mar. 17, 2:00 p.m. ET)

Disability News & Advocacy News

• Washington Post: The case against banning the word 'retard'
• Science Daily: First FDA-Approved Stem Cell Trial in Pediatric Cerebral Palsy
• Science Daily: AAN Guideline Evaluates Treatments for Kids With Cerebral Palsy
• Science Daily: Incidence of Cerebral Palsy on Rise in US, New Data Reveals
• Health Day: True Signs of Autism May Not Appear Until 1st Birthday
• Disability Scoop: Autism Symptoms First Appear After Babies Reach 6 Months, Study Finds
• Disability Scoop: Snow Delays Education Department Release Of Restraint, Seclusion Policies
• Vancouver Sun: Always-smiling brother with cerebral palsy is inspiration for gold medalist
• Nonprofit Tech 2.0: A Social Media Guide for Nonprofits: 100 Word Review: Act.ly for Nonprofit Organizations

Fundraising News

• FundraisingCoach.com: 5 tips for increasing traffic to your nonprofit's Web site
• KDPaine's PR Measurement Blog: Get to the point!
• Care2's frogloop.com: Five Online Fundraising Tips to Raise More Money

Social Networking/Web 2.0

• About.com: Nonprofit Charitable Orgs: How to Be Effective on Facebook: Tips for Nonprofits
• Advertising Age: In Age of Friending, Consumers Trust Their Friends Less
• Ross McCulloch - Digital Drivel: 10 must-read Facebook resources for non-profits

National Policy Matters: President Obama's FY 2011 Budget Request

The following is Issue #7 of National Policy Matters, a publication of the Disability Policy Collaboration (DPC), a partnership of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and The Arc of the United States (The Arc).

President Obama's FY 2011 Budget Request:   Level Funding and a Few Increases for Disability Programs

President Obama released the details of his Administration’s Fiscal Year 2011 budget proposal on February 1. The $3.8 trillion budget would add $1.6 trillion to the federal debt as the Administration seeks to spur economic growth, create new jobs while holding down spending for many programs.

The budget proposes a three year freeze on discretionary spending except those programs related to defense and security. Under the discretionary program freeze, some programs would grow, many would be frozen at current levels, and a significant number would be consolidated or eliminated.
 
Many of the disability and health programs received level funding or very slight increases. This generally means that there is little new money to fund more services and supports or to expand many of these critical programs. However, a few programs received significant increases in funding or reductions and they are described below. 

Department of Health and  Human Services (HHS)

Medicaid.  The President’s budget includes $25.5 billion to extend the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s (ARRA) temporary increase to the federal share of Medicaid spending (known as the federal medical assistance percentage or FMAP) for six months (Jan 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011). The ARRA increase will expire on December 31, 2010. An extension is needed because states are continuing to experience significant deficits due to the economic recession. Congress must pass legislation that includes this increase. The House of Representatives included this increase in its jobs bill which passed in December. The DPC is working with other Medicaid stakeholders to secure swift passage of this extension.

Demonstration Projects. The budget proposal also includes new Medicaid and Medicare demonstration projects aimed at evaluating reforms to provide higher quality care at lower costs. Another proposal would fund the Year of Community Living Initiative to promote collaboration between the Departments of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development to expand access to housing and community supports to enable people with disabilities to live in the community as opposed to in institutional settings.

Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities.  The Autism and Other Developmental Disability program at the Health Resources and Services Administration supports early detection and intervention, training and research programs. It received a $7 million increase over FY 2010 funding.

Department of Education

IDEA.  The IDEA State Grant would receive a $250 million increase over the previous fiscal year, after disregarding the additional funding made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus funding for IDEA.  Ten percent ($25 million) of the increase would be reserved for the states to meet IDEA’s data collection requirements.Both the IDEA Preschool and Part C Early Intervention programs would be frozen.  The expiration of the stimulus funding for the Early Intervention program, coupled with frozen FY 2011 funds, would put several states at risk of eliminating this critical program.

All but one of the IDEA National Activities programs (State Personnel Development, Technical Assistance and Dissemination, Personnel Preparation and Parent Information Centers) would be frozen.  The other program, Technology and Media Services, would actually be reduced by almost $3 million.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) State Grant Program. This program provides funding to state vocational rehabilitation agencies to support rehabilitation and employment efforts including providing assessments, pre-vocational training, assistive technology, job placement and follow-along services to assist in job retention. Similar to the unsuccessful Bush Administration proposals, the Obama Administration is proposing to consolidate into Title 1 the following programs: Supported Employment State Grant, the Projects with Industry, the Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers and the funds currently provided to State VR agencies to support in-service training for agency personnel under the training program. Of the $57 million dollar proposed Title 1 increase, $55 million is the combined funding for the consolidated programs.

New VR and Related Programs. The Obama Administration did propose new programs including almost $7million for technical assistance and projects designed to improve VR program performance. A new Supported Employment Extended Services for Youth with Significant Disabilities program which would provide $25 million for competitive grants to help states expand supported employment for youth. Funds would be used to maintain individuals in supported employment after receiving services provided by the VR State Grants Program. The Administration is also seeking $30 million to support a partnership with the Department of Labor to encourage innovation and support projects to improve services and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

Though few details on the new programs have been released to date it is clear that the supported employment consolidation and the new youth program signal a significant shift in policy. Recommending that Congress consolidate the Supported Employment State Grant program with the Title I state grant means that the dedicated funding for each state for supported employment is lost. The states would have the option to continue to fund supported employment and could chose to apply for the competitive grants for the youth. The second shift in policy is providing funding for extended supports beyond 18 months for youth. Currently VR funding for supported employment is time limited to 18 months. In addition the new program’s focus on youth signals less focus on adults who need supported employment services. 

Department of Labor (DOL)

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Innovation Funds.  Five percent of the increase in the Adult Employment line item is to fund the Workforce Innovation Fund which would provide competitive grants to test and replicate strategies that improve employment outcomes. Fifteen percent of the increase in the Youth program will fund the Youth Innovation Fund to pilot innovative models for delivering summer and year-round work experiences.  

Social Security Administration (SSA)

Administration of SSA.  Each year Congress provides money to the Social Security Administration to pay for the staff and other costs involved in administering the Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability programs and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. In the budget this is called the “Limitation on Administration Expenses” (LAE) and advocates have been trying to significantly increase this account so that SSA can improve services and eliminate the huge backlogs in decisions on disability claims. The President has proposed an increase of $930 million, or 8 percent, above the FY 2010 enacted level.  This amount will need to continue to grow in order to cover the on-going costs of administering the programs and efforts to reduce the backlogs in decisions on disability claims.

Economic Stimulus Payment. The Obama Administration has also proposed a second one-time economic recovery payment of $250 for eligible Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Veteran’s Affairs, Railroad Retirement Board and government pension beneficiaries.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Section 811.  In a significant disappointment, the President’s budget seeks a deep reduction for the HUD Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program. Section 811 provides competitive grants to non-profits to build or rehabilitate affordable and accessible units for non-elderly low-income persons with significant disabilities. Specifically, the budget proposes only $90 million for the program, compared to the current FY 2010 appropriation of $300 million. This includes the transfer of $113 million out of Section 811 to Section 8 for the cost of renewing roughly 14,000 Section 811 tenant-based rental vouchers (known as “Mainstream Vouchers”). In addition, most of the $90 million requested by the Obama Administration for FY 2011 would be directed to renewing project-based rent subsidies for existing 811 developments, leaving only a small amount for development of new supportive housing units. Project-based rent subsidies pay for operating costs such as insurance, maintenance, and utilities.
 
HUD’s justification for this cut stated that the program must be reformed to work more efficiently and leverage other sources of funding for construction (such as the Low Income Housing Tax Credit). The Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1675/S.1481), which overwhelmingly passed the House and is pending in the Senate, includes many of these reforms. The Obama Administration has not yet submitted its views on this legislation to Congress. The DPC will work with other disability groups to secure restoration of the cut and passage of the Melville bill in the Senate. 

Key Disability Programs

This table compares the FY 2010 funding and the President's FY 2011 Budget Request for key disability programs.

Next Steps

Cabinet Secretaries will be making the rounds of House and Senate hearings on the budget for the next few weeks. At some point, likely in late February or early March, the House and Senate Budget Committees will begin crafting the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Resolution (BR). The BR, once adopted by the Congress, will serve as the blueprint which the Appropriations Committees will use to make program by program spending decisions.

Capitol Insider - Week of February 16, 2010

Read Capitol Insider for an overview of the week's most important public policy events.

Announcements - Week of February 10, 2010

Affiliate Updates

• UCP of South Florida: Miami Cerebral Palsy Residential Services, Inc. (MCP), a satellite organization of UCP of South Florida, ranked 54^th in Training magazine's Top 125 Awards (as reported in UCPeople)
• UCP of Delaware: 2010 application for summer program - Camp Lenape - is available now
• UCP of the North Bay: North Bay Grapevine Winter 2009 Newsletter is available for download
• UCP of Central Maryland: Cabin Fever Chili Cook-Off Party to benefit UCP Delrey School (Feb. 27)

Webinars

• Affinity Fundraising Seminars: 11 Myths of Fundraising Registration; Correcting Mis-Information Concerning State Registration Requirements for Nonprofit Fundraising Solicitation (Feb. 25, 1:00 p.m. ET)
• Network for Good: Homer Simpson for Nonprofits: The Truth about How People Really Think and What It Means for Promoting Your Cause (Mar. 16, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Research/Reports

• Pew Internet: Social Media and Young Adults
• Disability.gov: United We Ride National Dialogue Final Report

Disability News & Advocacy News

• ABC News: Rahm Takes Pledge Not to Use R-Word
• The Washington Post: Montgomery County to favor disabled job seekers
• Disability.gov: Some Myths & Truths About Down Syndrome
• Disability.gov: Free Tax Return Preparation
• Justice for All blog: TASH Survey Finds 65% of Students with Disabilities Face Seclusion, Restraints or Aversives
• Disability Scoop: What Rahm Emanuel's Apology Means For The Future
• Disability Scoop: Autism Odds Double For Kids Born To Moms Over 40

Fundraising News

• The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Haiti Donations Exceed $644-Million, as of February 3
• Philanthropy 2173: In a changing landscape, whither the 501c3?
• Donor Power Blog: Darwinism and Fundraising – an Observation.
• Future Fundraising Now: Brand standards vs. what works in online fundraising

Social Networking/Web 2.0

• Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media to Power Social Networks for Change: PepsiFresh Contest: Real Tracking and Social Impact Analysis
• Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media to Power Social Networks for Change: Should CEOs and Executive Directors Use Social Media?
• Mashable - The Social Media Guide: Google Goes Social with Google Buzz
• Read Write Web: 5 Simple Twitter Listening Tips Every Marketer Should Know

UCP’s National Office Closed Due to Inclement Weather in Washington, D.C.

As some of you may already know, the UCP national office in Washington, D.C. follows the the Federal Government Operating Status, which is available online at http://www.opm.gov/. Consequently, UCP National has been closed since 1:30 p.m. ET Friday, February 5.

Since it's still snowing, we have a feeling the same will apply on Thursday and possibly the remainder of the work week. That said, our team is sporadically checking email and voicemail, while trying to stay safe and warm, until we can venture back to the office.

Thank you for bearing with as as we get through this snowpocalypse!

En route to grocery store Saturday morning

A glimpse of the Chinatown arch Saturday afternoon

Photo from Saturday evening

Photo from Wednesday morning (today)

Capitol Insider - Week of February 8, 2010

Read Capitol Insider for an overview of the week's most important public policy events.

Save the Date: Disability Policy Seminar on April 12-14 in Washington, D.C.

Bring your voice to Capitol Hill!

Book your room today for this year’s Disability Policy Seminar on April 12-14, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Washington, D.C.

We need you to educate policy makers and their staff about the national disability issues that affect you and those in your community. Join members and staff of UCP and five partner organizations at this year’s Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C. Culminating with in-person visits to congressional leaders on Capitol Hill, this event will provide valuable information on a broad range of issues:

• Health Care Reform;
• Medicaid, including the Entitlement Commission and state Medicaid issues;
• Employment, including Direct-support Workers;
• Education, including Early Intervention; and
• Discretionary Appropriations.

The Seminar program will provide you with overviews from Washington’s top policy experts about key policies important to the disabilities community and will arm you with the tools you need to champion the issues you care about most. On the final day, you will make your case before your Members of Congress and their staff.

Event registration opens in February, but you can get a head start by booking your hotel room now. Visit the Hyatt Regency Web site or call 888.421.1442 and reference the Disability Policy Seminar.         

This event is brought to you by: United Cerebral Palsy, The Arc of the United States, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Association of University Centers on Disabilities, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and Self Advocates Becoming Empowered.

Check out www.disabilitypolicyseminar.org for more information. We look forward to seeing you there!

Announcements - Week of February 3, 2010

Noteworthy News

• Wall Street Journal: Once-Robust Charity Sector Hit With Mergers, Closings

Affiliates in the News

• UCP of West Central Wisconsin / WEAU 13 News: Young woman proves someone with a disability can fulfill their dreams
• UCP of Central Florida / Central Florida News 13: Foster Grandparents Learn From Foster Grandchildren
• UCP of Greater Birmingham / The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB): UAB School of Optometry Honored for Outreach by United Cerebral Palsy of Birmingham

Affiliate Updates

• UCP Purchasing Point newsletter: iNews January 2010
• UCP of Central Minnesota: 12th Annual UCP Stuck in Motion Stationary Bike Race was a success
• UCP of Greater Sacramento: Affiliate has a new Web site
• Easter Seals UCP North Carolina: Food Lion, LLC connects with customers to raise funds in support of Easter Seals services

Affiliate Events

• UCP of Michigan: Sixth Annual Bash for United Cerebral Palsy (Feb. 20)
• UCP of Nassau County: Trivia Challenge (Feb. 22)
• UCP of Illinois Prairieland: 15^th Anniversary Great Chefs Tasting Party & Auction (Mar. 7)
• UCP of Rhode Island: 1^st Annual 5K "Life Without Limits Walk & Roll" (Jun. 13)

Cross-Cultural Exchange Program

• Mobility International USA (MIUSA): 2010 US/Costa Rica: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Disability Rights Leadership Exchange Program, a 16-day exchange program to Costa Rica with a focus on youth leadership and cultural perspectives on disability rights (Jun. 16 - Jul. 1, application deadline: Mar. 21)

Webinars

• Network for Good: Ensuring Your E-Newsletters are Read - Not Dead - On Arrival This Year (Feb. 9, 1:00 p.m. ET)
• Network for Good: Making a Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard (Feb. 23, 1:00 p.m. ET)

Disability, Advocacy & Nonprofit/Charity News

• ABC News: Lancet Retracts Controversial Autism Paper
• New York Times: Using Humor in a Campaign Supporting Disabled People
• New York Times: New Rules Promise Better Mental Health Coverage
• Associated Press: Obama's chief of staff sorry for 'retarded' remark
• Los Angeles Times: State plans to close Pomona center for disabled
• White House Middle Class Task Force: Caring for Caregivers
• Disability.gov: Disability Connection January e-Newsletter

Fundraising News

• Network for Good: 12 Questions that Lead to a Better Fundraising Story
• Step By Step Fundraising: 2 Simple Ways to Increase Your Online Giving

Social Networking/Web 2.0

• Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media to Power Social Networks for Change: Pepsi Refresh Project: An Insider's View - Guest Post by Bonin Bough
• Beth's Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media to Power Social Networks for Change: Nonprofit Social Media Strategy Map Workshop In Silicon Valley
  
  Compasspoint
  
  

  View more presentations from Beth Kanter.
• Mashable - The Social Media Guide: The Maturation of Social Media ROI
• Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN): 25 Ways to Increase Your Organization's Communication Capacity

Next UCP Affiliate Marketing Call is Thursday, February 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET

The next Marketing call for UCP affiliates will occur Thursday, February 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET. The UCP Marketing Department will distribute email reminders about the call and the call agenda, so UCP affiliates may mark their calendars accordingly.

For any questions, please contact Lauren Cozzi at LCozzi@ucp.org.

Raise Money for UCP Using GoodSearch on February 10 and Every Day

Did you know you can help UCP every time you shop online and search the Web by adding the new GoodSearch toolbar to the UCP site? That is the concept behind GoodSearch.com and GoodShop.com, and on February 10, UCP will be featured as charity of the day!

GoodSearch.com is a search engine powered by Yahoo that donates approximately a penny per search to charities designated by its users. You use it exactly as you would any other search engine, the pennies add up quickly and it doesn’t cost a thing!

With GoodShop.com you can shop at hundreds of well known retailers including Amazon, Target, Apple, Macy’s, Best Buy, Orbitz, Staples and others. The shopping experience and the prices are exactly the same as going to the retailer directly, but by going through GoodShop, up to 30% of the purchase price is donated to UCP!

Get started supporting UCP by adding our toolbar at www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/-united-cerebral-palsy-ucp-national-headquarters. You can use GoodSearch and GoodShop every day, and be sure to check it out February 10 when UCP is the featured charity.

Information & Referral: Help People with Disabilities Count in the 2010 Census

The 2010 Census is coming and people with disabilities need to be counted! People with disabilities have historically been underrepresented in the Census.

Census data plays a role in guiding funding for essential community services and other important programs. In fact, the 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year for things like:

• Hospitals
• Job training centers
• Schools
• Senior centers
• Bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects
• Emergency services

The U.S. Census Bureau has created a Toolkit for Reaching People with Disabilities to help spread awareness of the need for people with disabilities to participate in the 2010 Census. Department of Commerce research shows that people with disabilities are motivated by knowing that completing their census form can improve special services and the quality of life in their communities.

In the Toolkit Overview, Dr. Robert Groves, Director of the US Census Bureau states that, "Accurate representation and funding are especially important to people with disabilities because this population relies on many government, community and social service programs. However, without an accurate count, vital community services such as health care, transportation and other assistance programs may not be adequate."

The Toolkit contains fact sheets, posters, copy to use in newsletters and more, which can help UCP affiliates and other disability service providers disseminate information and conduct outreach activities about the importance of census participating for people with disabilities.

Help spread the word!

Capitol Insider - Week of February 1, 2010

Read Capitol Insider for an overview of the week's most important public policy events.