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News for Advocates of Children, Youth and Older Adults  

from Generations United

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 Volume 11, Issue 50
December 14, 2016
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Generations United in the News
  • In her article for TeenVogue, Emma Sarran Webster highlighted how the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2016 could reduce the number of children who enter foster care. The article also quoted Generations United's statement in support of the bill. Read the article.
     
  • In his article for the U.S. New & World Report, Michael O. Schroeder highlights the growing number of grandparent raising grandchildren because of the opioid crisis. The article quote Jaia Peterson Lent. Read the article
     
  • Sean Paul Mahoney, a reporter with After Party Magazine ( a division of Rehab Review), highlighted the opioid crisis and how it's causing more grandparents to step in to raise their grandchildren. The story cited our 2015 State of Grandfamilies report. Read the story.

Congress Adjourns without Passing Family First Act

The Senate and House adjourned for 2016 without passing the Family First Prevention Services Act. This is a disappointing end to nearly two years of hard bipartisan work of champions in Congress, youth, caregivers and other advocates on historical reforms to the child welfare system that would have meaningfully impacted thousands of vulnerable children and families. Despite being unable to get the legislation over the finish line this year, it is critically important to recognize that your voices have been heard in unprecedented ways. We must thank our champions and continue to be seen and heard as we urge federal, state and local investments to keep children and families together and prioritize families for children in foster care. Learn more

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Generations United Year in Review Video
We had an amazing 2016 thanks in large part to our members and friends like you.  As we look to 2017, however, the results of the recent election mean serious threats to many long-standing programs that support children, youth and older adults. Efforts to pit generations against each other are beginning to escalate. Our voice of reason is needed now more than ever.  Donate NowWatch our 2016 highlights .
A Huge Thanks to Our Members and Supporters
We thank our renewing member, Intergeneration Foundation for their contributions. We also thank Helene Block Fields (who gave "in memory of Shelley Levin), Eula Ossofsky, Ranit Schmeizer and Sandy Timmermann for their year end contributions. You can also contribute and/or honor a friend or loved one with a Tribute Gift to Generations United.  Together, we are building a world that values all generations!  Donate to help us unleash the potential of an "age-amped" society.  If you're an organization, Join us!
Save the Date - 5th National GrandRally: Building a Community of Hope
Generations United is thrilled to announce plans for the 5th National GrandRally: Building a Community of Hope on  May 10th  2017, in Washington, DC. Learn more see our GrandRally FAQs   and  
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Generations United's 2016 Photography Contest - Deadline: March 15, 2017!
Generations United is excited to promote our intergenerational photography contest for 2016.This year's theme is "Generations Unleashed Equal Value Unleashed." The photographs should illustrate the contest's theme with creativity and insight. The Photography Contest is open to photographers of all ages. See full submission guidelines.
Ellen Schmeding Retiring as Director of the Aging and Independent Services for San Diego
A long-time friend and colleague of Generations United, Ellen has been a valuable partner. Her efforts helped San Diego County become one of America's first Best Intergenerational Communities. We can't wait to see what's next for you. Thank you, Ellen. 
Sponsorship Opportunities for Generations Remixed
Generations Remixed, the 2017 Global Intergenerational Conference, presents a unique opportunity to reach a diverse group of professionals in a field that is steadily growing in recognition and importance. Show your support for the "age amped" movement while maximizing your visibility with the intergenerational field. There are opportunities to sponsor special events, educational sessions, attendee scholarships, and beyond. Learn more.
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2017 Best Intergenerational Communities Awards
Apply Today to Be a 2017 Best Intergenerational Community
Does your community go above and beyond when it comes to recognizing, engaging, and supporting all ages? Apply today!  Applications due Feb. 24, 2017. Learn more
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Memes Show the Importance of Vaccinations Across the Lifespan
This meme of Keri Russell - an actress known for her title role in the TV series, Felicity -  is part of o ur  Valuing Vaccinations Across Generations 
campaign. T he campaign   is a partnership of Generations United, the 
Gerontological Society of America  and the American Academy of Pediatrics with support from  Pfizer Check out additional memes  and 
share  them.  Follow  #bandAGEofhonor   and  learn more about our campaign  
Culture United
Coco
Coco follows the secret musical ambitions of 12-year-old Miguel, who accidentally enters the Land of the Dead. When he decides to track down his favorite singer, the late Ernesto de la Cruz, he encounters the souls of family members including his great-great-grandmother Imelda. Learn more

Do you know of any films, books, music and TV shows with an intergenerational theme?  Share them with us  and we'll share in the weeks and months to come. See disclaimer.
Cool Ideas
Senior Big Brothers, Big Sisters
This week's cool idea is Senior Big Brothers Big Sisters, a program of the Family Service Agency in Santa Barbara, CA. Adults age 55 or older will be recruited to provide life-changing mentoring for youth ages 6 to 18. Learn more

Got something cool you tried that was successful? Why not tweet your cool intergenerational ideas to  #cooligideas ? You can also post them to our  Intergenerational Connections  Facebook Group. We want to highlight innovative age-optimized programs and practices through our blog, social media and weekly e-newsletter!  Share the inspiration .
Think Intergenerational - Funding Opportunities
Systems of Care Grants. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for Systems of Care grants to support mental health services and systems for children, youth, and families in tribal communities. Deadline: Jan. 3, 2017. Learn more

Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and its partners will award $2.5 million in grants nationwide. The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations. Deadline: Jan. 31, 2017. Learn more

If you have - or know of - any intergenerational funding opportunities, please send them to [email protected]
Think Intergenerational - Great Resources  
Research & Resources  
Measuring children and youth well-being: are society's youngest and most vulnerable overlooked? This resource is the extract of a paper the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD) presented to the 4th International Family Conference on "Children's Rights and Family." Learn more

Creating an Age-Advantaged Community: A Toolkit for Building Intergenerational Communities that Recognize, Engage and Support All Ages.       This resource from Generations United helps communities make intentional efforts to build connections between the generations.   
Events
Aging in America conference. American Society on Aging. Chicago, IL. March 20-24, 2017.  Learn more

Proposal Deadline Extended (Dec. 9th) for the CWLA 2017 National Conference, Advancing Excellence in Practice and Policy:  Highlighting successful Strategies to Address the Needs of Children, Youth & Families.  Child Welfare League of America. March 29 - 31, 2017. Washington, DC.  Learn more

Call for Presenters for National Indian Child Welfare Association's 35th Annual Protecting Our Children National American Indian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. NICWA. April 2-5, 2017. San Diego, CA. Learn more
  
Generations Remixed conference. Generations United and St. Ann Center for  Intergenerational Care. Milwaukee, WI. June 13-16, 2017.  Learn more  

Call for Presenters for National Foster Parent Association 2017 Education Conference. NFPA. June 21-24, 2017. Houston, TX. Learn more

Call for Proposals for 2017 Young Adult Services Symposium. Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA).   Louisville, KY. Nov. 3 -5, 2017.  Learn more

International Federation on Ageing 14th Global Conference on Ageing. International Federation on Ageing.  Toronto, ON, Canada. Aug. 8-10, 2018.  Learn more
Quote  
"I don't think that any of us ever love the way we love a grandchild. It just takes us over. If we were strict parents, we become mushballs." ~Lesley Stahl, award-winning journalist, who turns 75 on Friday. Happy Birthday!

Your Feedback Invited! 

We want Generations This Week to be a real resource for you. Please send us any national news on intergenerational issues in addition to upcoming conferences, funding opportunities, reports and webinars. Local and state events can be shared in our Facebook group. Please also let us know how we can improve! Email us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!

 

Best,       


         


Alan King
Communications Specialist
Generations United
  
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