NCVA REPORTER - December 29, 2004

In this NCVA Reporter:

Events

• Cambodian Medical Relief Mission – March 18-April 2, 2005

Funding Opportunities

• The Pew Charitable Trusts Launches Initiative to Promote Retirement Savings
• Points of Light Foundation Invites Nominations for Workplace Volunteer Programs Awards
• Global Health Council Invites Nominations for Award for Best Practices in Global Health
• ADA Foundation Requests Proposals to Improve Older Adults' Access to Oral Care
• Lance Armstrong Foundation Offers Funding for Cancer Survivorship Initiatives

Jobs/Internships

• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Internship
• Edward Rawson Government Relations Fellow
• Postdoctoral Fellowships on Violence Prevention in Communities of Color Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Human Rights Advocates Program at Columbia University
• College Tree Publishing Searching for Writings from College-Age Adults

Tips/Resources

• Tsunami Response – Department of State

News

• A New Kind of Majority (Nguoi Viet 2)
• Community leadership center to offer classes in Vietnamese (Mercury News)
• For an Immigrant Marine, Burial Close to Home (Washington Post)
• Vietnam Still (PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer)
• Third National APA School Board Conference Held (Press Release)

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EVENTS

CAMBODIAN MEDICAL RELIEF MISSION – MARCH 18 – APRIL 2, 2005

December 27, 2004

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

On behalf of the Vietnamese American Medical Association (VAMA), we are writing to ask for your generosity and support of the Cambodian Medical Relief Mission.  The Mission, organized by the World Health Ambassador (WHA) Program of the VAMA, will take place from March 18 to April 2, 2005.  The WHA Program has recently been established by the VAMA to provide medical relief efforts to communities throughout the world that are in desperate need of medical and dental assistance.  The Program seeks to offer medical and dental care to underserved communities overseas, regardless of ethnicity or religion, and to assist in medical relief efforts for natural disasters in the United States.

The WHA Program comprises of several core components, including:  1) Health Advisory Team – which analyzes the medical needs of underserved overseas communities and formulating healthcare plans; 2) International Medical Relief Group – which performs overseas medical and dental missions; 3) Emergency Relief Team – which assists with natural disaster relief efforts and other medical needs within the U.S.; 4) Medical Support Team – which provides the logistics to the various operations mentioned above.

The Cambodia Medical Relief Mission is the inaugural project of the WHA’s International Medical Relief Group.  We plan to bring a health care team of physicians, dentists, nurses, computer specialists, and other professionals to provide medical and dental treatments to the Cambodian and Vietnamese living in several villages outside of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  During the late 1970s, Cambodia suffered one of the worst atrocities in human history.  Over 20% of the population was killed.  Since then, while Cambodia has been on the path of recovery, it remains among the “poorest of the poor” Southeast Asian countries.  Many living in Cambodia are in extreme need of basic medical and dental care but are not able to obtain such treatment.

As part of our mission, we intend to screen, diagnose, and treat approximately 2,500 people during our 14-day mission.  While in Cambodia, we will work closely with the local health providers as well as key community leaders and professionals, sharing with them our medical and scientific knowledge and providing to them recommendations on the appropriate approaches to deliver health care to people in under-developed countries.  Since the inception of the WHA Program just a short time ago, we have been very gratified by the overwhelming interest in this project.  To date, over thirty professionals have volunteered to serve on this Cambodian mission.  Additional volunteers have been placed on our alternate list.

The Vietnamese American Medical Association was established in 1987 as a non-profit organization for physicians of Vietnamese heritage who live and practice in the United States.  During the past decades, membership in the VAMA has grown tremendously to include not only members who graduated from medical schools in Vietnam but also members who have graduated from medical schools in the United States.  Many members of the VAMA currently are respected professors at universities and medical centers across America, including Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, Duke, University of California at San Francisco, while others are leaders in the communities across America, providing health care to patients of all ethnic backgrounds. 

In recent years, the VAMA has been very active in activities such as conducting hepatitis screening for Asian American in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, and other cities; granting scholarship to outstanding Vietnamese American medical students in the US; organizing health fairs in many U.S. cities to screen for hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, dental abnormalities, visual disabilities; supporting other organizations whose mission is to improve quality health care for people of all ethnic backgrounds, especially members from Southeast Asian countries; and most recently, creating the World Health Ambassador Program.  The VAMA is proud to be the sponsor for this Cambodian Mission through its WHA Program.

The diverse, large number of service-oriented activities sponsored by the VAMA has led to the establishment of the Vietnamese American Medical Association Foundation, an integral component of the VAMA that has achieved full tax-exempt status under section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Any contribution that is made to the VAMA Foundation for the WHA Program and the Cambodian Medical Relief Mission is deductible under section 170 of the code.

We are asking for your pledge and support of the Cambodian Medical Relief Mission.  We do need significant amount of medical supplies, medications, equipments, airfare and cargo freight subsidies, and financial support to accomplish our goals and make the Mission most fruitful and productive.  Please be certain that every piece of supply and every dollar you provide to support this Mission will be used in the most effective and appropriate manner.  The WHA Program is managed entirely by the many generous professionals of different fields who are willing to devote time, energy, and expertise to support the program.  We do not have any overhead cost to cover or any salary to support.  Everything we get and every amount we receive will be used toward this Cambodian Mission – for the thousands of patients who are waiting for us in Phnom Penh.  Please help us as much as you can, as we cannot do it without your generosity.  We can give our time and professional service, but we need your help for the people in Cambodia.  Please find the attached contribution form to indicate the item(s) you wish to contribute to our Cambodian Mission.

On behalf of the Cambodian and Vietnamese people living in the villages where our Mission will take us, we would like to thank you from our heart for your consideration of our request.  We are very grateful for the lives that we have enjoyed in America and are looking forward, with your kindness, compassion, and support, to assist the many people who are less fortunate than we are, living in poverty and substandard health care.

May this Holiday Season and the Year of 2005 bring to you and your family happiness, peace, prosperity, and most importantly, good health.

With Warmest Regards,

Quan Dong Nguyen, M.D., M.Sc.
President
Vietnamese American Medical Association
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Thien Minh Do, M.D, F.A.C.C.
Vice President
Vietnamese American Medical Association
Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine
Georgetown University Medical Center

(www.whausa.org)

(www.ncvaonline.org)

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE RETIREMENT SAVINGS
$4 Million Investment Will Seek Achievable Solutions to Help Build Personal Retirement Savings, With Special Emphasis on Moderate-Income Americans

PHILADELPHIA (AScribe Newswire) -- As millions of Americans approach retirement without adequate financial resources, The Pew Charitable Trusts today announced a new initiative to encourage policies to help Americans increase their personal retirement savings.

The Trusts' $3.8 million, two-year investment will promote policies that can gain broad public and private-sector support to raise participation rates in 401(k)-type plans, strengthen retirement savings tax incentives and create new avenues for savings. The Retirement Security Project is a partnership with Georgetown University's Public Policy Institute and directed by Peter Orszag, Ph.D., senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Its bipartisan advisory board includes former officials in the Nixon, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations.

"Most Americans say they are worried about not having enough money for retirement - and for good reason," said Rebecca W. Rimel, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Pew Charitable Trusts. "America's baby boom generation will soon begin retiring and the vast majority has little or no 'nest egg.' While Medicare and Social Security reform is hotly debated, there is broad consensus that Americans simply don't have enough personal savings to ensure safe and healthy retirements. The Trusts and our partners will work to move forward on bipartisan solutions, focusing on ways to help moderate-income Americans, who are already financially stretched and less likely to be adequately prepared for retirement."

Experts estimate that a couple earning $45,000 per year will need nearly $200,000 in savings in addition to Social Security to maintain their standard of living in retirement. Yet half of American households nearing retirement age have $10,000 or less in an employment-based 401(k)-type plan or IRA, and Social Security benefits now average only slightly more than $10,000 per year.

"America has one of the lowest personal savings rates in the industrialized world," said Dr. Orszag. "We know enough based on previous studies that we can significantly increase the personal savings rate by reducing barriers to saving and by strengthening incentives. We can help millions of Americans prepare for retirement through the commonsense, achievable reforms the Retirement Security Project will advance."

The policy options on which the Retirement Security Project will focus include: " Encouraging automatic enrollment in 401(k)-type plans, which dramatically increases participation in these retirement savings vehicles.

* Enabling a portion of tax refunds to be deposited directly into retirement savings accounts.
* Calling attention to the potential impact of strengthening the "Saver's Credit," enacted in 2001 and currently scheduled to expire in 2006.
* Promoting low-cost IRAs, which have low contribution requirements and administrative fees to give modest-income Americans an affordable, tax-preferred way to save.

The project's advisory board includes respected economists, policy experts and legal scholars, including Bruce Bartlett, senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis and a former official in the Reagan White House and the Treasury Department in the George H.W. Bush Administration; Michael J. Graetz, Yale Law School professor and former Treasury official in the Nixon and George H.W. Bush Administrations; Dan Halperin, Harvard Law School professor and former Treasury official during the Carter Administration; Robert E. Rubin, director of Citigroup and former Secretary of the Treasury in the Clinton Administration; John Shoven, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and economics professor at Stanford University; and C. Eugene Steuerle, senior fellow at the Urban Institute and former Treasury Department official in the Reagan Administration.

The project will also collaborate with organizations that represent working Americans, including senior, minority and women's organizations. Business groups will be key partners, as many retirement programs, like 401(k)s, are administered in employment settings.

The Pew Charitable Trusts launched the retirement security initiative following an initial one-year effort to assess the state of research and policy on the subject and the opportunities for meaningful, bipartisan reforms. "A strategic investment at this time could create momentum in the policy arena and help the nation achieve a crucial, common-sense goal - encouraging millions of Americans to save for retirement," said Maureen K. Byrnes, director of the Trusts' Health and Human Services program, which initiated the project. "There is a growing body of research showing that improving incentives can help moderate-income people save. We look forward to working with leaders in the field to build on recent bipartisan policy accomplishments to improve retirement security."

CONTACT: Mona Miller, Pew Charitable Trusts Public Affairs, 202-207-2135, cell 202-288-0457; mvmiller@pewtrusts.org

ABOUT THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS
The Pew Charitable Trusts is a national charitable organization serving the public interest by providing information, advancing policy solutions and supporting civic life. The Trusts' Health and Human Services policy program addresses a range of issues, such as foster care, genetic technology and tracking disease in America. The Health and Human Services program's hallmark is to engage experts, explore divergent views, identify options and build consensus on policy solutions-all with the goal of improving the health and well-being of the American people.

Media Contact: Mona Miller, 202-207-2135, cell 202-288-0457; mvmiller@pewtrusts.org

(http://ascribe.org/cgi-bin/behold.pl?ascribeid=20041209.084346)

(http://pewtrusts.org)

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POINTS OF LIGHT FOUNDATION INVITES NOMINATIONS FOR WORKPLACE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS AWARDS

The Points of Light Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2005 Awards for Excellence in Workplace Volunteer Programs.

The award honors a business's overall employee/retiree volunteer efforts. This includes the actual community service projects, as well as the program policies and corporate vision that support those volunteer activities.

Award categories are: General Award, for companies with an employee volunteer program of more than three years; Fast Start, a special award for a company with an employee volunteer program of three years duration or less; and Past Recipients, award for past award recipients that received the award more than five years ago.

Any small, medium, large, or international business that has an established and company-supported employee/retiree volunteer program directed toward addressing the community's serious social problems is eligible. A business can be a private or public organization. Awards will be given to employee volunteer programs that are organization-wide and reflective of activities serving all employees, not just those in one office location.

(http://pointsoflight.org/awards/workplace/nominate.cfm)

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GLOBAL HEALTH COUNCIL INVITES NOMINATIONS FOR AWARD FOR BEST PRACTICES IN GLOBAL HEALTH

The Global Health Council offers the Award for Best Practices in Global Health to celebrate and highlight the efforts of people dedicated to improving the health of disadvantaged and disenfranchised populations — particularly children — and to recognize programs that effectively demonstrate the link between health, poverty, and development and that have made a significant contribution to the field.

Both individuals and organizations may be nominated for the award.

In reviewing the nominees, the following criteria will be considered and evaluated: the program must address a critical global health issue; the program must be community-based, sustainable, and replicable; there must be measurable outcomes to show the success of the program; the individual or organization must have the ability and expertise to share, inspire, and instruct, and/or partner with others in best practices for improving health; the program demonstrates growing political commitment to assure health for all; the potential for receipt of this award to raise the profile of the award itself; and the program effectively demonstrates the link between health, poverty, and development.

The award will be presented on June 2, 2005, in Washington, D.C., at the Global Health Council's Annual International Conference.

(http://www.globalhealth.org/conference/view_top.php3?id=235)

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ADA FOUNDATION REQUESTS PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE OLDER ADULTS’ ACCESS TO ORAL CARE

The ADA Foundation, charitable arm of the American Dental Association (ADA), is requesting proposals to help improve older adults' access to dental care under its Access to Oral Care for Older Adults Grants Program.

The program, funded by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, provides four or more grants of up to $50,000 each to selected applicants, submitting oral health proposals designed to promote, improve, and maintain older adults' oral health.

The program's objective is to stimulate the development of promising initiatives, reaching out to semi-dependent older adults with appropriate oral health education and treatment.

Community-based, not-for-profit, oral health promotion programs in the United States and its territories will be considered, including: oral health programs that target care for semi-dependent older adults; programs that use outreach efforts, e.g., oral healthcare coordination with adult day care centers, senior centers, family members, caregivers, and other support systems along with the use of mobile and portable dental equipment to provide care for homebound semi-dependent older adults; establishment of collaborative efforts to ensure oral health care for semi-dependent older adults, in conjunction with aging services networks, public health agencies, and education institutions; establishment of intra- and inter-professional care teams, that include a dentist or dentists, to promote oral health and provide care for semi-dependent older adults; and public and consumer education efforts to increase awareness of oral health for semi-dependent older adults.

(http://www.ada.org/ada/prod/adaf/index.asp)

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LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION OFFERS FUNDING FOR CANCER SURVIVORSHIP INITIATIVES

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) will soon begin accepting applications for funding through the Spring 2005 Community Program. The LAF is pleased to offer financial support and practical advice to community nonprofit organizations serving the needs of cancer survivors as identified by the National Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship. The LAF seeks to help develop innovative projects that encourage survivors to live strong through the physical, emotional, and practical challenges of their survivorship.

The LAF will offer two types of grants in Spring 2005 in support of cancer survivorship initiatives that impact people in their local communities.

Implementation grants will be awarded in the amount of up to $20,000 a year for up to two years. At the time of application, organizations should have created a design for the proposed program and a complete plan for its implementation. Approximately 30-40 implementation grants will be awarded.

Evolution grants will be awarded in the amount of up to $100,000 over two years or up to $150,000 over three years. Organizations should have created a well-developed design for the program and a complete plan for its implementation and impact and effectiveness evaluation. This grant would support both the implementation and evaluation phases of the program. Up to six evolution grants will be awarded.

Grant applications will be considered in four subject areas: Cancer Pain, Palliative, and End-of-Life Care; Physical Activity and Nutrition; Survivorship Education; and Survivorship Support.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) and additional guidelines and procedures are available on the LAF Web site. The online application system will open on January 3, 2005, and will be accessible through a link on the LAF Web site.

(http://laf.org/Public_Health/Community_Program/)

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JOBS/INTERNSHIPS

NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
Internship Announcement

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) seeks interns for its Washington, DC office.

NAPABA is the only national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students.  With a national network of 48 affiliates, NAPABA advocates for the legal needs and interests of the APA community and represents over 40,000 attorneys nationwide.

This exciting opportunity to gain experience in NAPABA’s national office requires motivated individuals who will work closely with the Policy Director and Administrative Assistant in NAPABA’s daily operations.

Internship applicants must be detail-oriented, maintain a high standard of work in a fast-paced environment, be able to multi-task, and be eager to learn.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated commitment to APA community issues and civil rights.  In addition, the candidate should have a working knowledge of national APA organizations.  Prior internship experience in public service organizations or government a plus.

Responsibilities include general office functions, such as answering phones, handling mail, and providing administrative and research support for the Executive Director, Policy Director, and Administrative Assistant.  In addition, interns will:

Update NAPABA membership and affiliates database;
Assist with logistics for the NAPABA Annual Convention;
Attend meetings and briefings with APA community organizations;
Assist with policy projects as needed.

Please send cover letter and resume to:

Jiny Kim
Policy Director
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
910 17th Street, NW, Suite 315
Washington, DC 20006

You may also submit applications via e-mail: policy@napaba.org or fax: (202)775-9333. 

If you have any questions, please call (202)775-9555.

(www.napaba.org)

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EDWARD RAWSON GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FELLOW

Citizens for Global Solutions is seeking a Government Relations Fellow to support outreach and coordination with the US government.   We are looking for a self-motivated person who enjoys a dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented atmosphere.  This position is available in January and is a three month renewable fellowship (see for description of the Edward Rawson Fellowship Program below).

Citizens for Global Solutions is a national membership and advocacy organization committed to promoting cooperative U.S. engagement through international institutions and international law.  We believe that in today's interdependent world, our lives, our jobs and our families are increasingly affected by global problems, such as terrorism, climate change, war and infectious diseases. Because these problems are global in scope, it is vital that countries work together to solve them. Making the world a safe, just and equitable place we all want to live in will require teamwork and a common set of rules we can all live by. Our program areas include Peace and Security, U.S. Global Engagement, Law and Justice, International Institutions, and Health and Environment.

More information about Citizens for Global Solutions is available at www.globalsolutions.org.

Main Responsibilities:
The Government Relations Fellow will work with the Executive Vice- President to support outreach and coordination with the US government. The applicant will attend coalition meetings, briefings as required and develop materials for US government outreach and education. The applicant will also draft speeches, legislation, edit articles, maintain the legislation database and manage Congressional office outreach on specific program areas, and assist in managing Global Solutions PAC activities.

MINIMUM SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED (Please let us know in your cover letter how you meet these qualifications)

1. B.A. in International Relations, political science, government  relations or related field.
2. Excellent problem-solving skills and a "can-do" attitude; capacity to manage multiple projects in a high-intensity atmosphere
3. Ability to write clearly and succinctly for diverse audiences
4. Excellent organizational skills and initiative required; must be a self-starter
5. Strong public speaking skills
6. Some experience with event management useful.
7. Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite required; some experience with Microsoft Front Page (or other web editor) and Microsoft Access useful
8. Strong understanding of or background in communicating with the Administration and/or Congress and the electoral process.

Other Responsibilities:
Governmental Relations
* Set up meetings with members/staff
* Organize Hill briefings
* Develop specialized materials for Hill audiences from policy materials already drafted, or working with policy staff
* Collate information on offices on the Hill interested in our issues
* Assist with keeping current legislation database on the website updated
* Assist with writing and editing speeches, web material on elections and legislative issues well as op-eds as required.
* Assist in writing "Vote Alerts" sent to Hill Staff regarding votes on Citizens for Global Solutions priority issues.
* Draft Congressional or organizational sign-on letters for the Hill
* Research and draft legislative proposals
* Attend relevant coalition meetings

Organize Meetings and Events
* Secure venues and manage ordering food
* Write and circulate invitations
* Manage RSVPs

About the Citizens for Global Solutions "Edward Rawson" Fellowship Program
The Citizens for Global Solutions Rawson Fellowship Program allows recent college graduates to obtain a hands-on international relations experience with a cutting edge educational and advocacy organization in Washington, DC. Fellows are hired for a 3 month period with possibility of extension for another three months. Fellow earn a $1,600 per month stipend and are granted 4 days personal leave and 3 sick days per three month fellowship.  No health benefits are provided. Citizens for Global Solutions is an equal opportunity employer and strongly committed to promoting diversity within our organization and in the field of international relations and politics. Applications from women, persons of color, and individuals from underrepresented communities are encouraged and supported.

Please send cover letter, resume, and writing sample to govrelations@globalsolutions.org

(www.globalsolutions.org)

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POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS ON VIOLENCE PREVENTION IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR – CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

Three postdoctoral fellows are being sought for a two-year program. Salary will be approximately $42,500, pending funding availability. Fellows will collaborate on research and evaluation projects in the Division of Violence Prevention at CDC as well as developing their own research. Expertise and experience in communities of color strongly preferred. For further information about the program, see below.

Deadline for applications:  Feb. 15, 2005. Start date:  Sept. 2005.

Purpose: To increase the quality and quantity of research and interventions to reduce violence in communities of color.

Background: Violence has a disproportionate impact on racial and ethnic minorities. In 1999, homicide was the leading cause of death for African Americans and the second leading cause of death for Hispanics between the ages of 15 and 34. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaskan Natives and Asian and Pacific Islanders 15 to 34 years of age. It is important to note that existing research indicates that race and ethnicity, per se, is not a risk factor for violent behavior. Rather, racial and ethnic status is associated with many other factors that do influence the risk of becoming a victim or behaving violently. As a result, racial and ethnic minorities in the United States experience high rates of both violent victimization and perpetration. A better understanding of the factors that contribute to this vulnerability or protection from such risk is important to furthering effective violence prevention programs that address racial and ethnic minorities.

Description: This project seeks up to three behavioral scientists or epidemiologists with a terminal doctoral degree (e.g. Ph.D., M.D. or Dr. P.H.) per year, pending funding availability. These individuals should have completed their degree within the last three years. It is anticipated that each fellow will have a two-year appointment, pending funding availability and a successful first-year evaluation. Salaries will be approximately $42,500/year.

Upon completion of this Program the participants will be able to:
1. Design influential and culturally competent research and interventions in violence prevention in communities of color;
2. Develop funding requests for such studies;
3. Interact and operate effectively in the CDC environment;
4. Present information on their research in an organized, articulate manner to colleagues and the general public;
5. Prepare scientific reports and effectively describe research activities.

The Division of Violence Prevention has three Branches:  Etiology and Surveillance, Prevention Development and Evaluation, and Program Implementation and Dissemination. Each Branch will be assigned one fellow, pending funding availability. The post-doctoral fellow will become a member of a research team and help to oversee and contribute to an ongoing or newly funded research study or intervention. The duties of the fellow are expected to include data analysis and assisting with manuscripts and scientific presentations for ongoing projects, and assistance with the development of research methods and protocols for newly funded projects. Weekly seminars will focus on methodological, ethical, and cultural issues relevant to violence prevention research and intervention in communities of color (e.g. translation, measures of racism or poverty, writing and presentation skills).

Support will include an office, computer, appropriate software, phone, mail and clerical support, limited intramural research funds, and equipment, books, travel and courses needed to advance the fellow's professional development, as appropriate.

Selection Criteria:  Research experience in violence prevention and related areas; experience and interest in communities of color; quality of recommendations and one-page statement; quality of education and completion date; and quality of previous publications and presentations at scientific meetings.

Applicants should submit:
* Resume with home and work address, e-mail and telephone numbers, work and academic history, including dates degrees were awarded or are expected, all publications and presentations, and names and telephones of three persons who will be submitting letters of reference
* Official transcripts
* Three letters of reference
* A one-page statement described below

Description of One-page Statement:  On a separate page, please indicate which Branch would be best suited to your interests. Include a description of your experiences with communities of color and violence prevention, as well as your career goals (limit one page).

* Etiology and Surveillance Branch: The main focus of activities for the fellow in this Branch will be descriptive analysis of surveillance data on violent deaths and research on risk and protective factors for interpersonal and self-directed violence in communities of color. Depending on the Fellows' skills and interests and on the needs of each project, assignments could be made to work on projects focusing on the patterns of violent deaths in selected states; factors associated with interpersonal or self-directed violence in a longitudinal study of youth; or factors associated with several categories of violence among adolescents. The fellow will work with the project officer and extramural research team of one of these projects on various aspects of the day-to-day research collaboration between CDC and the funded group. In addition, the fellow will be expected to conduct analysis and collaboratively publish papers from data sets available within the Center.

* Prevention Development and Evaluation Branch: The primary focus of activities for the fellow in this Branch will be intervention research on intimate partner violence in communities of color. A request for applications to conduct efficacy and effectiveness trials of intervention strategies to prevent intimate partner violence, particularly for underserved populations, has recently been issued by this Branch. It is expected that 3-6 applications in response to this request will be funded starting in the fall of 2005. Depending on the Fellows' skills and interests and on the needs of each project, assignments could be made to work on projects focusing on dating violence prevention, prevention of intimate partner violence perpetration in the workplace, and emergency housing for persons experiencing intimate partner violence. The fellow will work with the project officer and extramural research team of one of these projects on various aspects of the day-to-day research collaboration between CDC and the funded group. In addition, the fellow will be expected to conduct analysis and collaboratively publish papers from data sets available from a series of 10 intervention projects that are currently ending and perform duties as assigned.

* Program Implementation and Dissemination Branch: The main focus of activities for the fellow in this Branch will be program evaluation in the area of violence against women. A program to assist racial/ethnic minority communities - to assess and prevent sexual and intimate partner violence has recently been announced. Within the program, emphasis will be placed on working with men and boys in a culturally appropriate manner to prevent these forms of violence before they occur. The outcomes of interest will be building capacity in four key areas: collaboration, planning, implementation, and evaluation. It is expected that two organizations will be funded to carry out this project starting in the fall of 2005. The fellow will work with the entire project team, the fellowship mentor, and the cooperative agreement recipients to design and conduct a program evaluation. The fellow will be expected to work especially closely with a master's level program evaluator already on staff with the project. In addition to working on this program evaluation, the fellow will have the opportunity to publish papers from a variety of data sets within the branch.

For questions about the fellowship, contact:
Barbara V. Marin, Ph.D., Director
Postdoctoral Fellowship on Violence Prevention in Communities of Color bmarin@cdc.gov 770-488-1349

By Feb. 15, 2005, send the resume, one-page statement, letters of reference and official transcripts to:

Candice Jackson
Violence Prevention in Communities of Color
Postdoctoral Fellowship Program - CDC
Division of Violence Prevention
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
4770 Buford Hwy, NE; MS-K60
Atlanta, GA 30341-3724
770-488-1571
Fax:  770-488-101
cjackson@cdc.gov

Overnight Address:
2939 Flowers Road South
Atlanta, GA 30341

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HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES PROGRAM AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

22 December 2004

Dear friends and colleagues:

I am delighted to announce that the application for the 2005 session of the annual Human Rights Advocates Program at Columbia University is now available.  I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to disseminate this information and application to human rights advocates based in developing countries as well as grassroots activists in the United States working on human rights problems that result from or are part of the global economic system.

In 2004, the Center for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University launched a new initiative to advance human rights thinking and activism with respect to the global economy.  The program's current focus on Human Rights Advocacy and the Global Economy builds on the Center's highly successful Human Rights Advocates Program, featuring a program of advocacy, skill-building, and scholarship through a four-month intensive training program in New York City.

Columbia University's Human Rights Advocates Program is designed to prepare proven human rights leaders from poor countries and communities in the US to participate in national and international policy debates on economic globalization by building their skills, knowledge, and contacts.  An equally important part of the program is to promote debate and dialogue on the global economy between the grassroots leaders and the faculty and students at Columbia University, and in the NGO, policy-making and corporate communities.

The current focus of the Human Rights Advocates Program seeks to cover key impacts of the global economy, particularly impacts on the following issue areas:

*Labor rights
*Migration
*Health
*Environmental justice
*Corporate social responsibility, including sectoral issues such as human rights in the extractive industries or agriculture.

Activists working on the above areas from a gender perspective are encouraged to apply.

The Program is designed for lawyers, journalists, teachers, community organizers, and other human rights activists working with non-governmental organizations who work on human rights problems that result from or are part of the global economic system.

Participants are selected on the basis of their previous work experience on human rights and the global economy, commitment to the human rights field, and demonstrated ability to complete graduate level studies.  Full-time students or government officials will not be considered.  Advocates must secure institutional endorsement from their organizations for their participation in the program and must commit to returning to that organization upon completion of the Program.  Activists must also be originating from and residing in either a developing country or the United States.  Fluency in English is required.

This extremely competitive program will admit up to ten applicants.  The program will take place from late August to the middle of December 2005.

Enclosed please find an overview of the program and the 2005 application form.  The completed application is due by March 21, 2005.  Please note that late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

For further information or to download additional copies of the application, please refer to our website at
<http://www.columbia.edu/cu/humanrights/training/adv/hradv_pgm.htm>.

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Ladner
Director, Human Rights Advocates Program
Center for the Study of Human Rights
Columbia University

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COLLEGE TREE PUBLISHING SEARCHING FOR WRITINGS FROM COLLEGE-AGE ADULTS

If you are interested in having your voice heard and possibly being nationally published then read on. College Tree Publishing is soliciting for any genre of written work that pertains to either major social or political issues, or issues of religion that Americans face today and will face down the road. The best of the submissions will be published in one of two anthological books; “What We Think: II,” or “What We Think: About God” The tentative submission deadline mid-February. These are the first books of their kind, composed entirely of the opinions, beliefs, and ideas of college-age adults. The books’ editors are on different sides of the political spectrum; one a Republican, the other a Democrat and they aim to put out a book that represents the diversity of opinions and thoughts by students. Please make sure you give your demographic a voice.

For more information and to submit, please go to http://www.collegetreepublishing.com

Dean Robbins and Rob Grabow
Founders of College Tree Publishing
dean@collegetreepublishing.com
rob@collegetreepublishing.com
509-499-2679

(http://www.collegetreepublishing.com)

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TIPS/RESOURCES

TSUNAMI RESPONSE – DEPARTMENT OF STATE

In response to the many inquiries we will be sending out periodic updates as information becomes available.

Locating Affected Peoples
The State Department on Monday established a toll-free telephone number for inquiries about U.S. citizens affected by the Asian earthquake and tsunamis.

The public may call toll free at 888-407-4747. Overseas, people may call 317-472-2328.

Those seeking information also can contact the department's Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management, 202-647-5225. General information about disaster relief, preparation and emergency services to U.S. citizens abroad can be found at the State Department Web page

http://travel.state.gov/travel/crisismg.html

VOLUNTEERING
Volunteer opportunities in disaster settings are extremely rare, and are usually limited to people with prior disaster experience and technical skills (such as health, engineering, etc). To register your skills and experience for a possible volunteer opportunity, go to the Center for International Disaster Information's <http://www.usaid.gov/cgi-bin/goodbye?http://www.cidi.org/datain.htm> registration page.

DONATIONS
The most effective way people can assist relief efforts is by making cash contributions to humanitarian organizations that are conducting relief operations. USAID encourages cash donations because they: allow aid professionals to procure the exact items needed (often in the affected region); reduce the burden on scarce resources (such as transportation routes, staff time, warehouse space, etc); can be transferred very quickly and without transportation costs; support the economy of the disaster-stricken region; ensure culturally, dietary, and environmentally appropriate assistance. The agencies listed below are accepting donations for assistance they or their affiliates are providing to those affected by the earthquake and tsunamis (this list is provided by USAID and can be retrieved from their website http://www.usaid.gov/locations/asia_near_east/tsunami/ngolist.html please check back at this site for updates):

ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
247 West 37th Street, Suite 1201
New York, N.Y. 10018
212-967-7800 x108
www.actionagainsthunger.org

ADRA International
Asia Quake Fund
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904
800-424-ADRA (2372)
www.adra.org

Air Serv International
6583 Merchant Place, Suite 100
Warrenton, VA 20187
www.airserv.org

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Inc.
JDC-South Asia Tsunami Relief
P.O. Box 321
847A Second Avenue
New York, New York 10017
212-885-0832
www.jdc.org

AmeriCares
88 Hamilton Ave
Stamford, CT 06902
800-486-4357
www.americares.org

Baptist World Aid
Asia Tidal Waves
405 North Washington Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
703 790 8980
www.bwanet.org/bwaid

B'nai B'rith International
B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief Fund
2020 K. Street NW
7th Floor
Washington, DC 20006
212-490-3290
www.bnaibrith.org

Brother's Brother Foundation
1200 Galveston Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
412-321-3160
www.brothersbrother.org

CARE
151 Ellis Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
800-521-CARE
www.care.org

Catholic Relief Services
209 West Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
800-736-3467
www.catholicrelief.org

Christian Children's Fund
Child Alert Fund
PO Box 26484
Richmond, Virginia - 23261-6484
800-776-6767
www.ChristianChildrensFund.org

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC)
South Asia Earthquake
2850 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Grand Rapids, MI, 49560
800-55-CRWRC
www.crwrc.org

Church World Service
PO Box 968
Elkhart, IN 46515
800-297-1516
www.churchworldservice.org

Direct Relief International
27 South La Patera Lane
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
805-964-4767
www.directrelief.org

Food for the Hungry, Inc.
Food for the Hungry
Asia Quake Relief
1224 E. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
800-2-HUNGERS
www.fh.org

International Aid
17011 W. Hickory
Spring Lake, MI 49456
800-968-7490
www.internationalaid.org

International Medical Corps
Tsunami Emergency Response
1919 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 300
Santa Monica, CA 90404-1950
800-481-4462
www.imcworldwide.org

International Relief Teams
Asia Earthquake/Floods
3547 Camino Del Rio South, Suite C
San Diego, CA 92108
619-284-7979
www.IRTeams.org

International Rescue Committee
PO Box 5058
Hagerstown, MD 21741-9874
877-REFUGEE or 733-8433
www.theIRC.org

Latter-Day Saint Charities
Welfare Services Emergency Response
50 East North Temple Street, Room 701
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84150-6800
801-240-3544
http://www.providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,5595-1-2910-1,00.html

Lutheran World Relief
South Asia Tsunami
700 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-230-2700
www.lwr.org

MAP International
P.O. Box 215000
Brunswick, GA 31521
800-225-8550
www.map.org

Mercy Corps
Southeast Asia Earthquake
Dept. W
PO Box 2669
Portland, OR 97208-2669
800-852-2100
www.mercycorps.org

Operation USA
8320 Melrose Ave. #200
Los Angeles, CA 90069
800-678-8876
www.opusa.org

Oxfam America
Asian Earthquake Fund
PO Box 1211
Albert Lea, MN 56007-1211
800-77-OXFAM
www.oxfamamerica.org

Plan USA
Asia Disaster
155 Plan Way
Warwick, RI 02886
800-556-7918
www.planusa.org

Project Concern International
Asia Tsunamis Press List
5151 Murphy Canyon Road Suite 320
San Diego, CA 92123
858-279-9690
www.projectconcern.org

Project HOPE
Asia Tsunami Response
255 Carter Hall Lane
Millwood, VA 22646
800-544-4673
www.projecthope.org

SAWSO (Salvation Army World Service Office)
South Asia Relief Fund
615 Slaters Lane
Alexandria, VA, 22313
800-SALV-ARMY

Save the Children USA
54 Wilton Road
Westport, CT 06880
1-800-728-3843
www.savethechildren.org

Stop Hunger Now
SE Asia crisis
2501 Clark Ave, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27607
888-501-8440
www.stophungernow.org

US Fund for UNICEF
General Emergency Fund
333 E. 38th Street