Over recent decades, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of Latino students in our public schools. Census data released last month show that roughly one-fourth of the nation’s kindergartners are Hispanic and approximately more than 40% of all students in K-12 were minorities. Unfortunately, Latino students also populate other sobering statistics: they have one of the highest drop-out rates in the country, have higher levels of poverty, lower levels of parental education, and higher levels of linguistic isolation. It is clear that our nation’s future and economic prosperity depends upon our ability to address these challenges and on our ability, and our willingness, to address these harsh realities.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Human Rights and Community Relations Department and the National Education Association’s (NEA), Office of Minority Community Outreach in conjunction with the US Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) hosted a first national education summit for the State Commissions on Hispanic Affairs and or similar governing bodies whose focus is Latino/Hispanic affairs.  The purpose of the summit was to discuss and share policies and perspectives that will help in efforts to meet the challenges and addressing the educational realities for Hispanics in the states. States with commissions, councils or advisory boards on Latino Affairs that attended the summit include: CT, DC, DE, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MD, MN, NE, NJ, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, UT, VA, MI, WA, and NC.

The NHCSL is proud to announce that NEA and AFT will be partnering with us in an effort to update our Education Whitepaper in 2009, tentative release date September 2009.

For more than a decade, there has been lots of talk in DC around broadband, but not much done about it. Now thanks to provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, it has become more feasible to ensure that broadband technologies are available and affordable for every American. Access to new technologies is no longer a luxury, but is now a necessity to compete in this constantly changing IT world. Several key points will be addressed in the coming months with the implementation of a National Broadband Plan. While 8% of total American households do not and have not had access to affordable broadband, this figure increases when focusing on low income, minority, and rural communities. Just as troubling, millions of American households with access to broadband have chosen not to subscribe due to the prohibitively expensive costs found in these areas.

While private industry has and will continue to be the primary investor in and builder of the nation’s broadband infrastructure, there are some significant roles that government can play if every American is to realize the benefits of broadband. The funding in the stimulus bill will work to improve broadband networks in libraries, community colleges, local technology centers, and other locations where low income families and working poor are most likely to go for broadband access. Likewise, the stimulus package has set aside significant funding to map areas of need where broadband adoption is weakest. The mapping process will increase the efficiency and transparency of the grant program, while ensuring the un-served and under-served are prioritized.

The NHCSL will be working closely with our members to ensure that we are all well informed of these opportunities and work together to ensure that our communities are availed of these opportunities. Later this year, NHCSL will be partnering with the NBCSL in a National Broadband Summit geared specifically towards these efforts. Stay tuned for more to come on these efforts.

Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services announced its plans to make $1 billion available for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, these resources will be allocated to states across the country. States will distribute funding to community groups that help Americans through tough economic times.

Under the Recovery Act, organizations receiving CSBG funding must use the resources to help get the American economy back on track. Specifically, funds must be used to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and assist low income families become self sufficient. Those entities eligible for funding must provide services or activities that address employment, education, housing, nutrition, and emergency services to combat the central causes of poverty.

With unemployment rates at a 25 year high, American workers need help now more than ever. As such, these funds will ensure that community groups will have the resources they need to continue to strengthen the cities and towns across America. To see a state by state description of CSBG Recovery Act funding visit http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/acf/csbgmap.html