06 Dec 2011

Treasurer Fitzgerald Helps Teachers Prepare Students for the Iowa Assessment Test

By Michael Fitzgerald

DES MOINES, IA (11/29/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is offering a helping hand to teachers across the state for the Iowa Assessment Test by providing students with a new number two pencil to use on test day. The treasurer's program, Prepare for the Basics, is a no-cost program being offered to 2nd and 3rd grade teachers. Last year the program distributed over 12,800 pencils to schools statewide. "Testing helps teachers monitor the growth of students' basic skills," Fitzgerald said. "This program is a small gesture of appreciation to our teachers for their hard work."

Along with the new pencil, students will receive information to take home about College Savings Iowa. College Savings Iowa is a state-sponsored 529 plan designed to help Iowa families meet the continually increasing costs of higher education while providing them with multiple tax benefits, including a $2,865 deduction per account from their 2011 state taxable income.* "Families who begin saving early are better prepared to meet the future educational needs of their children," Fitzgerald stated. "Saving ahead of time may reduce the need to borrow for college, which can help families-and their children-get to graduation with less debt."

Teachers who would like to take part in the Prepare for the Basics program are encouraged to go to the treasurer's website at www.treasurer.state.ia.us. They can register by clicking on the Education tab and then clicking on the Prepare for the Basics Campaign. To ensure timely arrival, materials should be requested at least two weeks prior to testing. The materials will be delivered directly to the participating schools. Supplies are limited, so early registration is advised. For more information about this program, or College Savings Iowa, please visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

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

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06 Dec 2011

Education Outreach Program Continues To Reach Military Children

By SSgt Kassidy L Snyder

SPRINGFIELD, IL (11/29/2011)(readMedia)-- The Illinois National Guard Education Outreach Program began in September 2010 to help aid military children in school. The effort continues to reach more military children through distribution of the Educator's Guide Book created by the Illinois National Guard Family Program.

"Through the Education Outreach Program, the Illinois National Guard Family Program provides information and resources on the impact our families may experience while their servicemember is deployed away from home or working stateside with his or her unit," said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard.

These resources include a five-week program with a military family life consultant is available at the school one day a week for five weeks, offering free sessions with children, printed materials and interactive Web sites for online tutoring.

"Our goal is to help schools create an environment of awareness and provide resources to better assist military children in school," said Christie Weiss of Sherman, the Illinois National Guard state youth education coordinator. "We would like the chance to give each school social worker the Educator's Guide and a one-page, front and back Teacher's Reference Guide to help them better understand military children."

The Educator's Guide for military children includes an explanation of the deployment cycle, general information about the military, reproducible activities for children ages 5 to 12, information on caring for kids after trauma and death and Web sites and additional resources for the school.

The National Guard Family Readiness Office also provides resources to military families and educators.

The office can provide educators with the tools to apply for Department of Defense Education Activity and other governmental grants, team school counselors with qualified Military Family Life Consultants and offer free continuing education classes. In addition to assisting educators, the office provides information about free online tutoring for military kids whose parents are on active-duty orders along with many additional resources.

If you would like a copy of the Educator's Guide or Teacher's Reference Guide please call the Illinois State Youth Education Coordinator at 217-761-3842.

06 Dec 2011

News from the Ron Paul Campaign

By Gary Howard
Ron Paul to Visit Iowa for Three-Day Campaign Swing
Town hall meetings, media interviews, campus youth rallies, and Republican debate round out visit
ANKENY, Iowa - The Iowa component of the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign announced today that Congressman Paul will make a sweeping three-day visit to Iowa.  The visit will take place from Thursday, December 8th to Saturday the 10th, inclusive.

"Ron Paul's next visit includes three days of voter-outreach events and media interviews, placing it among the more pivotal of this campaign cycle.  We're delighted Dr. Paul gives Iowa the attention it warrants and predict this visit will be as constructive as prior ones have been," said Ron Paul 2012 Iowa Campaign Chairman Drew Ivers.

Details of the events are as follows.  All times Central.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

1:00 p.m.
Employee Town Hall Meeting*
Principal Financial Group

2:30 p.m.
WOI-TV (ABC 5) interview
3903 Westown Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50266

4:00 p.m.
Boone Town Hall Meeting
Boone Public Library 
702 Greene Street
Boone, IA 50035

7:00 p.m.
Countdown to the Caucus: Ron Paul at ISU
Iowa State University (hosted by "Youth for Ron Paul")
Great Hall, Iowa State Memorial Union (2nd Floor)
2229 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014

[*Open to employees of Principal Financial Group only.  Media are encouraged to attend but must RSVP by 12/6 with Ron Paul 2012 Iowa Vice-Chair A.J. Spiker via email at ajs@ronpaul2012.com.]

Friday, December 9, 2011

9:00 a.m.
Webster City Town Hall Meeting
Webster City Fire Station
919 Superior Street
Webster City, IA 50595

1:00 p.m.
Mason City Town Hall Meeting
Mason City High School
1700 4th Street SE
Mason City, IA 50401

2:30 p.m.
In-Studio interview with KIMT TV (CBS)
KIMT-TV (CBS-3) Station
112 North Pennsylvania Avenue
Mason City, IA 50401

4:00 p.m.
Waverly Town Hall Meeting
Waverly Public Library
Bremer/Waverly Room 
1500 W. Bremer Avenue 
Waverly, IA 50677

7:00 p.m.
Countdown to the Caucus: Ron Paul at UNI
University of Northern Iowa (hosted by "Youth for Ron Paul")
Commons - Slife Ballroom
1224 West 23rd Street
Cedar Falls, IA 50614

Saturday, December 10, 2011

10:00 a.m.
Marshalltown Town Hall Meeting
Fisher Community Center 
709 S. Center Street 
Marshalltown, IA 50158

8:00 p.m.
ABC News / Republican Party of Iowa Debate
Sheslow Auditorium
Drake University
2507 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
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Ron Paul Remains Top-Tier in Latest Iowa Poll, Strong second, leads field in Independent vote
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - A NewsMax/Insider Advantage poll released yesterday shows 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul in second place in the state of Iowa, solidifying his position at the top of the field and remaining a serious threat to take the Iowa Caucuses in January. Paul won 13 percent of likely caucus-goers in the poll and an impressive 30 percent of independent voters, leading the rest of the field. In addition, Paul won 47 percent of voters between 18 and 29 years old.

"The latest poll results clearly prove Ron Paul's status as a top contender, and confirms that our campaign is continuing to surge in early states," said Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton. "The American people are ready for real change in Washington and Dr. Paul is the only candidate who has a plan to cut $1 trillion in spending, balance the budget, and restore prosperity to the American people."

This latest poll comes on the heels of a number of recent polls placing Paul among the top three in key early states. According to a recent American Research Group poll, Paul takes third among likely Republican caucus-goers in Iowa. He also scores third place in New Hampshire, according to a recent WMUR/University of New Hampshire poll. And the most recent Suffolk University/7 News poll has Paul holding steady in second place with 14 percent among likely New Hampshire primary voters.

In addition, a late October CNN/Time poll showed the Texas congressman in the top three in the key Republican primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.

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Ron Paul to Hold Two College Campus Youth Rallies in Iowa
'Countdown to the Caucus' events hosted by 'Youth for Ron Paul' aim to solidify youth support
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul will address college students and Iowans at two "Youth for Ron Paul" campus rallies to energize young supporters and reach out to new and undecided voters in the run-up to the January 3, 2012, Iowa Caucuses.

The first event, which is free and open to supporters of all ages, will be held on Thursday, December 8th in the Iowa State University (ISU) Memorial Union Great Hall, located at 2229 Lincoln Way in Ames.  Doors will open to the public at 6:30 p.m.  To enter 30 minutes early and secure a spot near the front of the room, RSVP for the ISU event featuring Dr. Paul at http://ronpaulatisu.eventbrite.com/.

The second event, which also is free and open to supporters of all ages, will be held on Friday, December 9th at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in the Commons - Slife Ballroom, located at 1224 West 23rd Street in Cedar Falls.  Doors will open to the public at 6:30 p.m.  To enter 30 minutes early and secure a spot near the front of the room, RSVP for the UNI event featuring Dr. Paul at http://ronpaulatuni.eventbrite.com/.

Youth for Ron Paul (YFP), an initiative of the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign, launched on Wednesday, September 7th and since its inception more than 15,300 people signed up to get involved, forming 307 chapters in 46 states.

"The enthusiastic support for Ron Paul continues to grow, especially among college students.  Young people understand he is the only presidential candidate who will fix our economy, so they're eager not only to vote for him, but also to volunteer for his campaign," said Edward King, National Youth Director for the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign.

"Young people from across the country are inspired by Dr. Paul's message of a strong national defense, prosperity, and individual liberty.  No other campaign can claim or match the dedication of our youth support," said Ani DeGroot, Midwest Regional Director for Youth for Ron Paul.

To learn more and sign up for Youth for Ron Paul, please visit: www.YouthForPaul.com and "like" the Facebook page found at: www.Facebook.com/YouthForPaul.

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06 Dec 2011

FAMILY MUSEUM EXHIBIT RENOVATION MOVES FORWARD

By Elly Gerdts

Bettendorf, IA - As the holiday season approaches, the Family Museum wishes to acknowledge gifts to date that will make the 2012 renovation to its interactive galleries a reality.  "Rethink, Reshape, Reinvent" is the title given to the Family Museum's upcoming exhibit hall renovation project, and to date, The Museum is excited to announce nearly 75% of the 1.4 million dollar budget has been successfully secured.

The Family Museum opened to the public in its current location in 1997 and the purpose of "Rethink, Reshape, Reinvent" is the renovation and reuse of the Family Museum's existing 7,100 square feet of exhibit permanent gallery space in order to provide a new set of learning experiences and environments specifically designed to meet the needs of young learners age 8 and younger and their adult caregivers.  After renovation, The Museum's new learning environments will encompass approximately 7,690 square feet, with an additional 2,000 square feet devoted to the traveling exhibit gallery.

Support from the community, both public and private has been committed by, the City of Bettendorf, the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, the Alcoa Foundation, the Family Museum of Arts and Science Foundation, the Dorothea LeClair Bequest, Modern Woodmen of America, the Scott County Board of Supervisors, the Riverboat Development Authority, and the Scott County Regional Authority.  Additionally, the following is a listing of individuals who have gifted over $500 to date to support "Rethink, Reshape, Reinvent": Miriam Kelm, Walid and Mindy Al Sheikha, Nicholas Augelli and Amy Chung, Quad City Pediatrics, PC, and Tracey Kuehl.

The Family Museum wishes to acknowledge and thank each and every donor who has brought this project to life.  Renovations are scheduled for the fall of 2012, with the grand re-opening set for next holiday season.  As the Family Museum continues to fundraise, gifts can be made to the Family Museum Foundation and mailed to 2900 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf, IA.  All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Located on the Learning Campus in Bettendorf, the mission of the Family Museum is to inspire, connect and strengthen our community by enriching the lives of our children today, and expending their capacity to shape their future.

# # #

06 Dec 2011

Statement From the Office of Governor Quinn on Budget Agreement

By Andrew Mason

SPRINGFIELD - November 28, 2011. The Office of Governor Quinn today issued a statement after reaching an agreement on the Fiscal Year 2012 budget with legislative leaders.

"After working closely with the General Assembly this veto session, we have reached a bipartisan budget agreement that achieves the goal of keeping the seven state facilities slated for closure open throughout this fiscal year using existing state resources."

"Reallocation will allow us to move towards the Administration's long-term goal of more thoughtful, properly supported and successful community care transitions. We thank Senate President John Cullerton, Senate Leader Christine Radogno, House Speaker Michael Madigan, House Leader Tom Cross, and their staff members for their bipartisan cooperation and hard work."

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06 Dec 2011

LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER JESSE INSKEEP JOINS WORLD-WIDE MOVEMENT HELP-PORTRAIT IN PROVIDING FREE PROFESSIONALLY-DONE PORTRAITS FOR THOSE IN NEED

By Jason Holtgrewe
On December 10th, 2011, photographers from across the world will use their photography skills to give back to their local community. It's a movement called Help-Portrait, and local photographer Jesse Inskeep is joining the movement to serve the Quad Cities.

Help-Portrait's purpose is quite simple: grab your camera, ?nd people in need, and take their picture. When the prints are ready, the photographs get delivered.

"I have very few photographs from when I was growing up as my family simply didn't have the time or money to make it a priority," says Inskeep. "Now that I'm older and especially now that I have a daughter, it makes me sad that she's not able to see portraits of what I looked like when I was her age. My hope is that those who come to Help-Portrait will leave with something they'll treasure for generations."

Inskeep will be working with a team of other volunteer photographers, hairstylists, and makeup artists to make sure each person getting their picture taken looks their best.

Help-Portrait will be hosted by Connection, a church in Bettendorf. Connection has helped Inskeep spread the word about this event, including telling those who attend Connection's Food Pantry and reaching out to local shelters and families who could use the encouragement a professionally-done portrait can give. "Our goal in hosting Help-Portrait is help those who are going through a tough time this holiday season feel beautiful and valuable," says Jason Holtgrewe, one of Connection's pastors.

Those interested in coming to Help-Portrait can reserve their time-slot by calling 309.524.5024.

Help-Portrait takes place at Connection on December 10th from 1-4pm. Connection is located at 4374 State Street, Suite 2, Bettendorf, IA 52722 and can be contacted by calling 563.209.6384 or by emailing jason@connectionqc.org.
06 Dec 2011

SEC-Citigroup settlement rejected, judge is right to seek information

By Grassley Press
Monday, Nov. 28, 2011

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today made the following comment on a judge's rejection of the Securities and Exchange Commission's settlement with Citigroup.  Grassley works to gauge the agency's performance on behalf of the investing public.

"Judge Rakoff is right to ask for information.  The SEC needs to provide a clear rationale for the enforcement penalties in this case and in others.  Otherwise, the public is in the dark about whether the settlements are adequate and the court's role is reduced to a rubber stamp.   A settle and slap-on-the-wrist approach has not and will not deter the defrauding of investors."

06 Dec 2011

Golden Day for The Salvation Army in Davenport, Iowa

By Holly Nomura
Davenport, IA - The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign was in full swing this weekend and received its first gold coin of the season. The quarter-ounce coin was placed in the kettle last Wednesday at Schnucks Market in Bettendorf. In years past the coins received in the Quad Cities were put in Moline, Illinois kettles.

"It is very exciting to receive this coin in Davenport. In realistic terms for The Salvation Army, this coin could help provide shelter to three families for one week, or feed 10 children residing at the Family Service Center for an entire month, or help provide day camp services to 20 children this summer," stated Major Gary Felton, Quad Cities Coordinator.

The Red Kettle Campaign is The Salvation Army's largest yearly fundraiser, raising 70% of their annual budget. The donations received support The Salvation Army's life-transforming services throughout the Quad Cities.

The Red Kettle campaign runs from November 11 through December 24. The goal of the campaign is $700,000. With the gold coin, the total-to-date stands at just over $183,000.

The Salvation Army is still making a plea for donations, any amount will help; but also for a gift of time. Volunteer bell ringers are needed. Please go to www.ringbells.org for an easy, quick sign up. Or call Holly Nomura at 563-271-7933 for more information.
06 Dec 2011

COMMENTARY -- founding principles at stake in White House initiative

By Sen Chuck Grassley

Constitutional Principles at Stake in President's Actions, Rhetoric

by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

President Obama's latest media campaign is built around the tag line We Can't Wait for Congress.  Under this banner, he has announced executive actions for everything from mortgage and student loan relief, job placement for veterans, grants for health care workers and stricter funding requirements for Head Start programs.  The new slogan highlights the President's frustration that Congress did not pass his latest economic stimulus proposal in its entirety.  Instead, Congress has passed pieces of the President's proposal where there is bipartisan agreement and put forward other approaches.

A President being frustrated with Congress is nothing new.  What's more remarkable is the notion that the President will act completely independent of Congress.  "Where they won't act, I will," he said.

Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution of the United States says, "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives."  Having had their rights violated by a King, our Founding Fathers intentionally put the power to make laws in the branch of government that is most directly accountable to the citizens.  Under our Constitution, the President's role is not to make policy unilaterally, but to, "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed."

So is the President overstepping his constitutional authority?  In some cases, the We Can't Wait slogan is simply being appended to actions implementing laws already passed by Congress.  For instance, job placement services for veterans have been around for a long time.  The health care worker grants were authorized under the 2010 health care law, and the Head Start reforms the President touted were actually included in a law passed by Congress way back in 2007.  On the other hand, the President's authority to change the rules for refinancing of certain mortgages and to offer more generous student loan terms to select borrowers is much less clear.  In fact, I wrote a letter to the President asking him to explain to Congress and the American public the legal authority he is claiming to implement the student loan changes.

If the President isn't usurping the legislative powers vested in the duly elected representatives of the citizens of the 50 states, he's certainly talking like he is.  The President should show leadership, which has been lacking when it comes to working with Congress on the politically difficult decisions needed to reduce the deficit, such as entitlement reform.  However, no President should even pretend to have the authority to unilaterally implement policies not authorized by law.  This attitude is particularly concerning given this President's history of bypassing Congress to implement his agenda.

For instance, the House and Senate have considered various proposals to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, but no climate legislation was able to achieve sufficient support to pass Congress.  Nevertheless, in the Obama administration, the Environmental Protection Agency has moved forward with regulations for greenhouse gases under a law Congress never intended to be used for that purpose.  While a Supreme Court ruling cracked open that door, the fact that Congress pointedly did not authorize this step should have given the administration pause.  The President's Race to the Top education program is another significant overreach.  Congress bears responsibility for writing a $5 billion check to the Secretary of Education in the 2009 stimulus bill with minimal guidelines attached, but the administration blew past even those broad guidelines to implement an unprecedented federal intervention into state education policy.  The resulting program offered the possibility of big dollar grants to cash strapped states, provided they first changed state laws to implement specific policies favored by the Secretary of Education.  Most states, like Iowa, implemented the Secretary's preferred policies and applied for the funds yet never saw a dime in return.  In a similar move, with states clamoring for relief from the ever tightening requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, the President has announced that he would grant waivers.  The catch is that states will have to adopt key components of his education reform agenda.  This is despite the fact that Congress is currently considering legislation to update federal education policy and may not adopt all aspects of the President's proposal.  Moreover, current law allows for waiving existing requirements on a case by case basis, but does not authorize the Administration to add new requirements in return.

We Can't Wait for Congress isn't just a bad PR gimmick, it contradicts the philosophy underpinning the American Revolution, as expressed in the Declaration of Independence.  It violates the Declaration's concept of "unalienable Rights" and the principle "That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."  By contrast, the French Revolution was inspired by the philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who wrote that claims of natural rights must be abandoned in favor of submission to the authority of the "general will" of the people as a whole, as expressed through a ruling elite.  This philosophy allows for a more active government, but has also led to some of history's worst tyrannies.  Our system of separation of powers, federalism and checks and balances, designed to protect individual rights, results in a more deliberative form of government.  This can be frustrating.  It means that the President cannot expect Congress to just pass his proposals without reading them.  However, America's founding principles have kept us free for over two centuries and the President shouldn't blithely dismiss them, whether in word or deed.

Monday, November 28, 2011
06 Dec 2011

Senate Foster Youth Caucus Continues Speakers Series to Highlight Best Practices

By Grassley Press

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, founders and co-chairs of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, are sponsoring a speakers' series event tomorrow, Tuesday, November 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. in SVC 203-02 in the Capitol Visitor's Center.

The purpose of the speakers' series, which is a 2011 initiative of the Caucus, is to highlight grass-root practitioners of innovative programs and strategies that improve outcomes for children and youth in foster care and to allow these individuals to share their experiences in the field and their ideas about reforms to the system.  Ultimately, the Senate Caucus plans to release a compilation of best practices.

"A major goal of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth is to help draw out and spread innovative strategies and best practices in the foster care community and focus on making things better for kids in the system and when they leave the system," Grassley said.  "It's fitting that the policy community take time right now to focus on what can be done to foster valuable permanent connections for these kids.  These kids often feel even more lonely and isolated during the holiday season."

"I am happy to continue working with Senator Grassley and the other members of the Foster Youth Caucus to highlight foster care best practices.  I am pleased that the House also recently formed a Caucus on Foster Care to further highlight these issues," said Sen. Landrieu. "Organizations like Wendy's Wonderful Kids are achieving remarkable success placing children by implementing innovative practices. This success upends the belief that some children are 'unadoptable,' and gives hope for every child in foster care. By spreading the word on best practices, we move closer to finding a home for every child waiting for his or her forever family."

Landrieu and Grassley will speak at tomorrow's event.  There will be presentations by leaders in the foster-care community and a discussion of issues associated with adopting older youth and the release of important research on effective methods for increasing successful adoptions of older youth.

Since forming the Senate Caucus in 2009, Grassley and Landrieu have sponsored a series of working sessions with the goal of assembling policy recommendations for child welfare reform.  The Caucus has engaged current and former foster youth in these working sessions.  The senators have said they want the Caucus, which is particularly focused on youth when they age-out of the foster care system, to build on improvements made by the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008.  This law provides additional federal incentives for states to move children from foster care to adoptive homes, expands adoption assistance to all special needs foster youth, allows states to extend care to youth up to age 21, allows for federal reimbursement for kinship care, and makes health and education improvements for youth in foster care.

A listing of the speakers for tomorrow's event is below.

 

Gretchen Looney

Adopted from foster care

Age 14

Southern Colorado

In foster care, Gretchen Looney was separated from her siblings, moved many times and suffered a disrupted pre-adoption placement.  Not surprisingly, she was adamantly opposed to adoption when she was referred to the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program in June of 2010.  Gretchen was adopted three months ago by Joseph and Camille Looney, who are both members of the United States Air Force.

 

Christina Miranda

Foster Care Alumni

Christina Miranda entered foster care at the age of five and aged out at 18 without a permanent connection or place to go.  She lived in over 10 foster homes and attended 10 different schools.  Despite the many unfavorable outcomes and odds that she faced, she graduated from high school and college.  Christina attributes much of her success to Paula, a professor who took her in when she had no place to go during a Christmas holiday break.  Since then, Paula accepted Christina into her family and has provided the unconditional love and support Christina yearned for all her life.  Christina states "... without Paula believing in me, I wouldn't have believed in myself.  There is no such thing as an unadoptable child.  Every human being deserves a loving family to call their own."  Christina is currently a graduate student and continues to be a child welfare advocate in hopes of helping vulnerable children who are in the shoes she once wore.

 

Angela Gomes

Wendy's Wonderful Kids Recruiter

Adoption Rhode Island

Angela is a native of Cape Verde, off the West African coast.  She earned her bachelor's degree in social work from Rhode Island College and has been working in the child welfare field for 15 years.  Her broad range of experience includes therapeutic residential care, supervision, and intake.  For six years, Angela has been the Wendy's Wonderful Kids recruiter at Adoption Rhode Island.  During that time, Angela has served, or is currently serving, 51 of the state's hardest to place children and has found adoptive families for 27 of them, with six more in pre-adoptive placements.  Angela says she loves this work, and is honored to be a part of the Caucus presentation.

 

Rita L. Soronen

President & CEO

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

For more than 25 years, Rita Soronen has worked on behalf of abused, neglected and vulnerable children.  Ms. Soronen has provided leadership for local, state and national efforts to improve the juvenile justice and child welfare systems, while striving to assure safe, and permanent homes for North America's children.  Since 2001 and under Ms. Soronen's leadership, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a national non-profit public charity, has significantly increased its grant-making and awareness commitments, while developing strategic signature initiatives that underscore and act on the urgency of the issue.  In 2010, the Foundation dedicated more than $11 million in privately generated resources to grants and award-winning national awareness activities, including Wendy's Wonderful Kids, Adoption-Friendly Workplace and the annual 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list, National Adoption Day, national foster care adoption attitudes research, A Child is Waiting: A Step-by-Step Guide to Adoption, national foster care adoption poster and PSA campaigns and educational videos.  Since 2005, the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program has grown from seven pilot site grants to 122 active sites across the U.S., the District of Columbia and five provinces in Canada dedicated to evidence-based strategies that aggressively and effectively move children from foster care to permanent families.  More than 3,400 children have been adopted or placed in pre-adoptive homes as a direct result of Wendy's Wonderful Kids.  Ms. Soronen serves on the Board of Directors of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, the Ohio CASA/GAL Association, the Public Education Committee of the National CASA Association and is a fellow of the Jefferson Fellowship for Executive Leadership.  Ms. Soronen is a recipient of the Angels in Adoption Award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, the National CASA Association Kappa Alpha Theta Program Director of the Year Award and the Ohio CASA/GAL Association Statewide Leadership Award.

 

Hope Cooper

Vice President for Public Policy

Child Trends

Hope Cooper is Vice President for Public Policy at Child Trends.  In this position she develops and directs policy communications strategies to ensure that Child Trends' research is conveyed in timely and meaningful ways with decision makers.  Ms. Cooper has nearly 20 years of public policy experience.  Prior to joining Child Trends, she served as a senior officer at The Pew Charitable Trusts where she directed Pew's Kids Are Waiting Campaign and also designed and managed other national initiatives to advance changes in public policy.  Ms. Cooper also spent 10 years working in the U.S. Senate, including as a policy advisor to the Senate Finance Committee, where she was responsible for legislation and oversight of Medicaid, the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, and other income-related health and social service programs.

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