WASHINGTON - A Senate Foster Youth Caucus speakers' series started by Senators Chuck Grassley and Mary Landrieu continues tomorrow morning with a discussion on the sexual trafficking of girls in the foster care system.

 

Landrieu and Grassley will host the March 8 event, and panelists will include survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse, a placement service specialist, a legal advocate for foster youth, a prevention specialist, and a child and family services agency leader.

 

The event is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. (ET) in SVC-209 of the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center.

 

The senators created the Caucus to educate policy makers about issues facing older children in the foster care system and in the early years after those young people age out of the system.  The Caucus is committed to providing a platform for those who grew up in the foster care system to describe their experiences, identify problems and suggest solutions.

 

Here is more information about the panel speakers.

 

Tanee Hobson is a Survivor Mentor and Group Facilitator with My Life My Choice.  A survivor of sexual exploitation who had been in Massachusetts Department of Children and Families custody since the age of two, Hobson is a former client of My Life My Choice who uses her life experience to help reach other exploited and high risk girls.  Hobson is a frequent presenter at public speaking events, and has represented My Life My Choice in panels at the Germaine Lawrence School and Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley's hearing for human trafficking legislation.  Currently studying Human Services at Northern Essex Community College, Hobson plans to continue working with exploited girls in the future and become a national leader in the movement to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

Withlema "T" Ortiz is a survivor leader and advocate.  She entered the foster care system as an infant and endured more than 14 different placements while in foster care.  During those years, Ortiz also survived being subject to commercial sexual exploitation.  Ortiz now uses her lived experiences to teach, lead, and educate on needed reforms to the child welfare, juvenile justice and mental health systems.  Ortiz has lectured at Alameda County and Georgetown Law.  She has testified before members of Congress and shared her story on a national level as one of Glamour magazine's 2011 Women of the Year.  Ortiz currently serves on Casey's National Foster Care Youth and Alumni Policy Council and is a Young Woman Leader with the Human Rights Project for Girls.  She is also a mentor to other girls who have been similarly forced into the modern day form of slavery.

Michelle Guymon is currently the Director of Placement Administrative Services with Los Angeles County Probation Department.  Guymon graduated from California State University, San Bernardino where she received her master's degree in social work.  Various positions and/or assignments throughout Guymon's tenure include Deputy Probation Officer Treatment and Counselor at Dorothy Kirby Center, Mental Health Consultant for Probation, and Director of Camp Kenyon Scudder, an all-female probation camp, which serves about 300 girls a year.  Guymon is a frequent presenter and trainer regarding child abuse issues and strategies for working with youth in the probation system.  She is an advocate for children at risk and is currently a member of the Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Committee, as well as a Probation Department representative with the Innocence Lost Los Angeles Task Force.  Most recently, Guymon has been designated as the Project Manager for the newly created Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking program within the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

 

Teresa Lowry has worked for more than 25 years on behalf of abused, neglected, and vulnerable children.  She began her career investigating the physical and sexual abuse of children for the Nevada Division of Child and Family Services.  After graduating law school she maintained her focus on ensuring justice for children and joined the Special Victims Unit in the Criminal Prosecution Division of the Clark County District Attorney's Office.  There she secured convictions for murder, sexual assault, child abuse, pandering, kidnapping, use of a minor in the production of pornography, and statutory sexual seduction.  She then was promoted to Chief of the Juvenile Division where she worked collaboratively with the juvenile court judge, probation and the public defender's office to create a specialized court responding to sexually exploited girls victimized through human trafficking.  She is currently the Chair of the Policy Governing Board of the Children's Advocacy Center which oversees the multidisciplinary protocols to respond to sexual abuse.  Five years ago, in order to respond to the need for a new way to treat child victims of human trafficking, she and other juvenile justice partners and university researchers established the nonprofit Protecting Sexually Exploited Children-Nevada, PSEC-NV.  The mission is to create programs and services for high risk youth as well as a safe house for sexually exploited teens.  As the current administrator over the Family Support Division, Lowry acts as sponsor for employment opportunities and mentor for former foster youth.

 

Lisa Goldblatt Grace is the Co-founder and Director of My Life My Choice.  Since 2002, My Life My Choice has offered the only comprehensive prevention curriculum aimed at reaching girls most vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation. Further, My Life My Choice offers a unique continuum of services including prevention groups, training, survivor mentoring, and program consultation.  Goldblatt Grace has been working with vulnerable young people in a variety of capacities for more than 20 years.  Her professional experience includes running a long-term shelter for homeless teen parents, developing a diversion program for violent youth offenders, and working in outpatient mental health, health promotion, and residential treatment settings.  Goldblatt Grace has served as a consultant to the Massachusetts Administrative Office of the Trial Court's "Redesigning the Court's Response to Prostitution" project and as a primary researcher on the 2007 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study of programs serving human trafficking victims.  In addition, Goldblatt Grace has written in a variety of publications regarding commercial sexual exploitation and offered training on the subject nationally. She is an Adjunct Faculty member at the Boston University School of Social Work and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, and she holds masters degrees in both social work and public health.

 

Joyce Capelle has been the Chief Executive Officer of Crittenton Services of Children and Families in Southern California since 1998.  Prior to joining the agency in 1997, she worked as an administrator in public education and in hospital management for a total of more than 35 years in the human services field.  She holds a Master's degree in Public Administration with a Public Policy focus from California State University, Long Beach and a Juris Doctorate degree from Pacific West College of Law.  She has also served on a number of local, state and national committees on child and family welfare issues. Capelle currently serves on the Board of Directors for the California Alliance for Child and Family Services.

 

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Region 6 Homeland Security Board and Safeguard Iowa
Partnership Announce Week 5 of "20 Weeks to Preparedness
Program"

Release Date: March 12, 2012
Release Number: 6

Welcome to Week 5 of the 20 Weeks to Preparedness Program brought to you by the Region 6 Homeland
Security Board and Safeguard Iowa Partnership. This program will help to better prepare you and your
family, a little at a time, over a 20 week period. Each week new preparedness information will be shared
in this publication including a list of items to gather or purchase for your disaster supply kit. Sign up at
www.safeguardiowa.org/subscribe-to-be-prepared to receive weekly reminders and announcements related to
the 20 Weeks to Preparedness program.

Use this program to gather items for your kit in small steps over a five month period. Remember to change
and replace perishable items by the expiration date. Purchasing the food suggested by this program would last
approximately 3-5 days.

Place in storage bin:

Disposable dust mask (one per person)
Travel sized shampoo, body wash, and deodorant
Manual can opener
Canned vegetables (one can for every two people)
Mirror
Personalized Item (if applicable):

Hearing aid batteries

To do:

Scan or make copies of health care information, including vaccination records, prescription
information, and insurance. Complete an emergency personal health record for each family
member. You should retain a copy by either storing a hard copy in a plastic bag, safety deposit
box, on a thumb drive or send to an email account that is accessible from anywhere.

Additional assistance is available by contacting the Scott County Emergency Management Coordinator
at 563-484-3050 or visiting the website at www.iascema.com.Visit Safeguard Iowa Partnership at
www.safeguardiowa.org, on twitter @safeguardiowa or Facebook at www.facebook.com/safeguardiowa.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012

 

In January, staff for Sen. Chuck Grassley on separate occasions asked the Federal Communications Commission chairman to make two senior staff members available to discuss the LightSquared wireless project.   The first staff member was Paul de Sa, who was described as the "father" of the LightSquared project, before he left the agency.  When Grassley staff asked to meet with de Sa, the FCC's legislative affairs director responded that he was "not available."  The second staff member was Joshua Gottheimer, who, according to media reports and FCC materials, has been named the FCC chairman's senior counselor with a special responsibility toward implementing President Obama's National Broadband Plan.  The broadband plan recommended a particular spectrum band that primarily would have benefited LightSquared.  Gottheimer previously worked for a public relations firm that serves LightSquared.  When Grassley sent his Jan. 30 letter requesting a meeting with his staff and Gottheimer, the FCC asked his office to keep the letter confidential while the agency decided how it would respond to the request.   Grassley's staff waited one month and did not hear from the agency.  Grassley's staff called the FCC, and the FCC refused to provide access to Gottheimer.

 

Grassley made the following comment on the FCC's refusal to make senior staff available to discuss LightSquared.

 

"The FCC chairman wrote to me last October that he would 'continue to make staff available to discuss this matter further' with me or my staff at our 'convenience.'  That turned out to be an empty offer.  The FCC has refused to allow access to two staff members who likely would be able to shed some light on the FCC's questionable decision to give the green light to the LightSquared project.  It's unfortunate that this agency operates as a closed shop when the public's business ought to be public.  It adds insult to injury to promise openness and fail to fulfill the offer.  The good news is a key House committee is trying to shed light on the FCC's thinking on LightSquared.  Some transparency might be required of the agency after all."

The text of Grassley's letters to Genachowksi requesting access to staff members is available here and here.  The chairman's letter from last October offering to make staff available is available here.

The film, Miss Representation, will have its first showing in the Quad City area on Tuesday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Rogolski Center Ballroom on the SAU campus. "Miss Representation" is a 2011 American documentary film that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011. It has been winning awards at festivals all over the world. The film explores the distorted way in which the media portrays women, and the effects this has on girls as they develop their own self-images. A discussion will follow the screening of the film. The film is being brought to the area by the Davenport-Bettendorf branch of AAUW, and Women's Studies, the SAAT team and Her Campus from St.Ambrose University. The public is invited to attend. There is no charge.
Lawyer Offers Tips for Safeguarding Your Assets

In Florida, a man serving 12 years in prison for DUI manslaughter is suing his victims' survivors for his pain, suffering, medical bills and "loss of capacity for enjoying life."

In Illinois last year, siblings aged 20 and 23 sought more than $50,000 in damages from their mom for "bad mothering," including setting a curfew for her then-teenage daughter, "haggling" over clothing prices, and failing to send college care packages.

Lawsuits like these are, unfortunately, more the rule than the exception, says Hillel L. Presser, a lawyer specializing in domestic and international asset protection planning and author of Financial Self-Defense (www.assetprotectionattorneys.com).

"Litigation is America's fastest growing business, and why not? Plaintiffs have everything to gain and nothing but a few hours' time to lose," Presser says. "Even if a case seems utterly ridiculous, like the guy in prison suing his victims' family, defendants are encouraged to settle just to avoid potentially astronomical legal fees."

So where does a person begin? You'll likely need the expertise of an asset protection planner, Presser says, but here are some steps you can take on your own.

• Take stock of your wealth. Inventory your assets - you probably own more than you think. Besides savings and retirement accounts, consider any money owed to you, anticipated inheritances and future assets. Property includes homes, vehicles, jewelry, and land. Don't forget to consider intangible assets, those non-physical but valuable brands, trademarks, patents and intellectual property. Visit www.assetprotectionattorneys.com for an inventory worksheet.

• Put only assets that are exempt from seizure in your name. Federal and state laws protect some personal assets from lawsuits and creditors. Those assets typically include your primary residence; personal items such as furniture and clothing; pensions and retirement funds; and life insurance. State exemption laws vary; federal laws govern exemptions in bankruptcy.

• Protectively title non-exempt assets. Putting the title to valuable assets in the names of corporations, limited partnerships, domestic trusts and other entities offers some protection. You still get to use and enjoy the asset but legal ownership is with an entity that's not subject to your personal creditors' claims. Which entities best shield which assets depends on the asset, your state laws, taxation and your estate plan, to name a few considerations. You can also combine protective entities, for instance, giving ownership of your limited liability company to a limited partnership. It's best to get professional advice when choosing the entity that will best protect an asset.

Whether you're worth millions or a few hundred thousand, it's important to not get caught with your assets showing, Presser says. The more you have exposed, the more enticing a target you become. And the less you have, the more catastrophic the outcome can be.

"If the average person with $200,000 is sued for $1 million, he's wiped out," Presser says. "It's not so horrific for the person with $25 million who gets sued for $5 million.

About Hillel L. Presser

Hillel L. Presser's firm, The Presser Law Firm, P.A., represents individuals and businesses in establishing comprehensive asset protection plans. He is a graduate of Syracuse University's School of Management and Nova Southeastern University's law school, and serves on Nova's President's Advisory Council. He also serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations for his professional athlete clients and is a former adjunct faculty member for law at Lynn University. Hillel has authored several books, including "Asset Protection Secrets" and has been featured in Forbes, Sports Illustrated, the Robb Report, the Houston Chronicle, and the Los Angeles Times, among other publications.

Now open - our newest temporary exhibit: "From Beetle to Benz" featuring the history and trivia of two iconic German cars, the Mercedes-Benz and the Volkswagen.  Lots of fun facts and plenty to enjoy for all ages!   Drop in soon to the First Floor Gallery and bring a friend!

Members manage virtual grain using real-time market information

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - March 7, 2012 - Grain is the name of the game in a new commodity challenge simulation being offered by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF).

Starting March 7 and running through Oct. 12, Iowa Farm Bureau members can participate in a commodity challenge simulation to learn more about markets, pricing and risk management...but without risking real bushels and money. Iowa Farm Bureau members involved in the simulation are allocated virtual grain (75,000 bushels of corn and 25,000 bushels of soybeans) and challenged to make wise marketing decisions for the 2012 new crop to be harvested in October.

"The goal of this grain marketing challenge isn't selling the highest price, but learning how to effectively manage the risk associated with today's volatile markets," explained Ed Kordick, IFBF commodity services manager. "We want to help farmers understand how to use various tools and see how they work with real markets. Risk management is the focus."

Members can join the simulation challenge at any time. They receive educational materials by e-mail and online. Participants must be members of their county Farm Bureau to access the simulation.  To register, go to www.iowafarmbureau.com and click on the hotbox banner. For more information, contact Kordick at ekordick@ifbf.org or 515-225-5433.

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Schools across the state are invited to participate in Prepare for the Basics give-away.

DES MOINES, IA (03/07/2012)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is offering free pencils to schools across Iowa for use in Kindergarten Round-Up through the Prepare for the Basics program. "Our schools know inviting families to check out their school six months before the school year begins will help kindergarteners prepare for their big transition," Fitzgerald said. "We offer the pencils as a small gesture of support for our schools." In addition to the pencil, this free program will provide information about College Savings Iowa, the state-sponsored 529 plan created to help Iowa families meet the increasing costs of higher education.

College Savings Iowa lets anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - invest for college. Iowa taxpayers can deduct up to $2,975 in contributions per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2012.* Investors do not need to be a state resident and can withdraw their investment tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and room and board at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.** For more information about College Savings Iowa, visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

Elementary Principals interested in taking part in the Prepare for the Basics program are urged to register online by visiting www.treasurer.state.ia.us. They can register by clicking on the Education tab and then going to the Prepare for the Basics Campaign. To guarantee timely arrival, materials should be requested at least two weeks in advance. They will be delivered directly to the participating schools. Supplies are limited, so early registration is advised.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

**The earnings portion of nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 888-672-9116 or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing.

 

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

WASHINGTON - The Senate Tuesday night unanimously approved a bill authored by U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to increase penalties for trafficking counterfeit drugs.  The legislation responds to recommendations made by the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator and the administration's Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Inter-agency Working Group.

 

The Counterfeit Drug Penalty Enhancement Act will increase penalties for the trafficking of counterfeit drugs to reflect the severity of the crime and the harm to the public.  While it is currently illegal to introduce counterfeit drugs into interstate commerce, the penalties are no different than those for the trafficking of other products, such as electronics or clothing.  The Counterfeit Drug Penalty Enhancement Act will target violators that knowingly manufacture, sell or traffic counterfeit medicines to the United States.

 

"We cannot allow the counterfeiting of life-saving medicine to be just one more low-risk venture from which international organized criminals can profit," said Leahy.  "While we should not expect that enactment of this or any legislation will completely deter the serious problem of counterfeit medication entering the American supply chain, it is an important step in the fight.  I urge the House of Representatives to act quickly on this legislation."

 

"Worldwide counterfeit medicines are a multi-billion dollar industry, and growing at an alarming pace, especially over the internet.  These medicines pose a serious threat to the health and safety of unsuspecting Americans," Grassley said.  "The House should act as quickly as possible to ensure that counterfeit drug traffickers are punished accordingly for putting people's lives at risk with this serious crime.  "

 

The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Robert Casey (D-Pa.).  Companion legislation in the House of Representatives was introduced last year by Representatives Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.) and Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.).

 

It has been reported that counterfeit drugs result in 100,000 fatalities globally each year, and account for an estimated $75 billion in annual revenue for criminal enterprises.

 

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Regional Math Bee held at the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency

 

200 area sixth grade students participated in the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency's 34th annual Regional Math Bee held at the Mississippi Bend AEA in Bettendorf, Iowa March 6, 2012.

47 enthusiastic teams of students worked individually and as a team to solve problems and demonstrate their math skills.  The top five teams as well as the top 3 individuals will represent our region at the State Math Bee in Fort Dodge on April 27, 2012

The top five teams of the 2012 Regional 6th Grade Math Bee:

1st Place Team: Pleasant View Elementary, Pleasant Valley School District

Students: Ethan Good, Jack Lynn, Konnor Sommer, Keshav Wagle

Coach: Zachary Day

2nd Place Team:         Hopewell Elementary, Pleasant Valley School District

Students: Caleb Arnold, Jacob Fuhrmeister, Austin Halupnik, Tyler Helmers

Coach: Marci Furlong

3rd Place Team: Riverdale Heights Elementary, Pleasant Valley School District

Students:  Mark Kessler, Roshni Nair, Abinaya Paravasthuramesh, Vishwajit Subramanian

Coach:  David Barber

4th Place Team: Cody Elementary, Pleasant Valley School District

Students: Alec Gelande, Ashlyn Haack, Max Royer, Caroline Sharis

Coach: Cathi Betts

5th Place Team:         Rivermont Collegiate, Bettendorf, Iowa

Students: Kenton Fee, Naina Ninan, Collin Smith, Sophia Xiao

Coach: Chae Hee Porubcin

 

The top three individuals of the 2010 Regional 6th Grade Math Bee:

1st Place Individual:   Abinaya Paravasthuramesh, Riverdale Heights Elementary, Pleasant Valley

Coach: David Barber

2nd Place Individual:   Tyler Helmers, Hopewell Elementary, Pleasant Valley

Coach: Marci Furlong

3rd Place Individual:   Konnor Sommer, Pleasant View Elementary, Pleasant Valley

Coach: Zachary Day

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