North Dakota Human Rights Coalition
Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights
|
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Working to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights |
|
Click PayPal link for direct credit card contribution or PayPal payment options. (No PayPal account necessary!)
Interested in Receiving NDHRC Email Newsletter? |
~North Dakota Human Rights Coalition~ PAUR Report
Programs ~ Announcements ~ Updates ~ Resources
Visit our Website at www.ndhrc.org
December 6, 2004
Hello members and friends of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition!
In this week’s PAUR Report:
Announcements 1) North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Service Opportunity 2) Nominations Sought for Fargo Human Relations Awards 3) New Native American Radio Program in Fargo 4) Press Release: UTTC funding approved by Congress 5) Protection & Advocacy Project: Review, Revise, & Expand North Dakota’s Individual Justice Plan (IJP) Manual 6) 2005 Legislative Update: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Newspaper Articles 7) Grand Forks Herald, Dorreen Yellow Bird Column: Tribal colleges get strong leaders 8) Grand Forks Herald, Domestic Violence: Local programs strive to stop violence in homes 9) The Jamestown Sun, Other Views--Latest Scout lawsuit is frivolous 10) The Forum (Fargo), Mai Moua and Lindsey Cordts letter: Reporting spreads the fires of racism 11) The Forum (Fargo), What ‘work’ can disable do? 12) Bismarck Tribune, Missing persons list being set up for adults who are ‘vulnerable’ 13) The Forum (Fargo), Plan identifies vulnerable adults 14) The Forum (Fargo), Mayor’s fraud ordeal ‘was not handled well’ 15) Bismarck Tribune, Task force closer to solutions
Events 16) Signing Santa to visit area’s deaf Saturday
Reminders 17) Press Release: ND Workforce Development Council – State Commission on National & Community Service Announcing Competition for AmeriCorps National & State Proposals 18) Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowship Grants 2005 19) Nominations for Social Justice Leaders Sought for Leadership for a Changing World Program 20) Sisters of the Presentation at Sacred Heart Convent, “2004 – 2005 Presentation Peace Studies Forum,” Fargo, ND
Please Note: The NDHRC distributes a weekly PAUR report to inform our members and friends about news, events, and other human rights related information around the state. The opinions expressed within the articles are those of the authors and are not endorsed by the NDHRC.
New NDHRC members: as a membership benefit you have received an e-mail subscription of our weekly e-mail newsletter, the NDHRC PAUR Report. If you would like to be removed from the PAUR Report mailing list, please send an email to humanrights@ndhrc.org.
********************************************* Announcements *********************************************
1.) North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Service Opportunity
Please forward freely.
The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition is looking for people to join the NDHRC Board of Directors. The NDHRC Board sets the policy direction of the NDHRC, including the goals and initiatives of the NDHRC. The NDHRC Board is supported in its work by the Director and Assistant Director. Information about the NDHRC is available at www.ndhrc.org.
The NDHRC is committed to the development of a Board of Directors which includes representation from across the state and from those most likely to experience discrimination, including people of color, people of diverse ethnic origin, people with disabilities, people of varying age, people of diverse religions, those who have been or are on public assistance, and people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. The NDHRC encourages all who are interested in the Board of Directors to apply; consideration for selection will include the commitment to diversity in membership on the Board of Directors.
The NDHRC Board of Directors encourages all who are interested to join them in continuing to chart the course for the NDHRC. Please consider joining us in the development of a human rights network and cadre in North Dakota!
Time commitment:
Two-hour board meetings every other month by conference call
One-day in-person board retreat each year (travel to this meeting may be necessary & travel costs would be covered)
Participation in board committee(s) by telephone conference call (time commitment and duration of commitment would vary by committee)
Respond to e-mail communication from Director or Assistant Director as possible
Interested?
Return the "Application for NDHRC Board" to:
Cheryl Bergian Director North Dakota Human Rights Coalition P.O. Box 1961 Fargo, ND 58107-1961 (701) 239-9323 (701) 478-4452 (fax)
Deadline for consideration of application: Friday, January 14, 2004
*********************************************
2.) Nominations Sought for Fargo Human Relations Awards
The City of Fargo Human Relations Commission is seeking nominations for its annual Human Relations Awards. The Human Relations Awards will be presented at an event honoring the life, work and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Fargo Theatre on Jan. 17, 2005.
Human Relations Award recipients will be selected on the basis of commitment to human relations, leadership by example in the area of human rights and creative and/or non-traditional methods to improve human relations. Three awards will be presented -- individual adult, individual youth and business/organization. To nominate an individual or organization, please answer the following questions and provide specific examples of the activities and/or programs the person or organization is involved in:
How does this individual or organization demonstrate a commitment to human relations?
How does this individual or organization demonstrate leadership by example?
How does this individual or organization demonstrate creative methods to improve human relations?
Nominations should be submitted no later than Dec. 24, 2004 to the Fargo Human Relations Commission, 200 N 3rd Street, Fargo, ND 58102 or e-mail at planning@ci.fargo.nd.us.
For more information, please contact Dan Mahli at 701-476-4144 or dmmahli@ci.fargo.nd.us. The nomination form is also available on the City’s website at www.cityoffargo.com/Planning/HRC. The mission of the Fargo Human Relations Commission is to promote acceptance and respect for diversity and discourage discrimination.
*********************************************
3.) New Native American Radio Program in Fargo
The new
radio show is on Sundays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Contact 105.9 FM LP Radio
Free Fargo at 701-231-6703, if you'd like to make a request. *********************************************
4. Press Release: UTTC funding approved by Congress
United Tribes
News UTTC
funding approved by Congress
UTTC funding was included in the omnibus appropriation bill passed by Congress November 20. The spending bill provided $3.5 million for the college, which is $500,000 more than last year.
“Our staff and students can continue our programs with confidence,” said UTTC President David M. Gipp. “We have less to worry about now.”
The Congressional action reversed a recommendation by the Bush Administration for the third consecutive year that the college’s funding be eliminated. The appropriation is for FY 2005, which began October 1, 2004.
“Our
Congressional delegation worked well to build bipartisan support,” said Gipp.
“We also
received strong support from local and national tribal leaders,” said Gipp.
<snip>
View full release here
*********************************************
5. Protection & Advocacy Project: Review, Revise, & Expand North Dakota’s Individual Justice Plan (IJP) Manual
Think for a moment. What would it be like if you were arrested and accused of a crime? Now imagine that same situation if you were a person with a disability. A disability that affected your ability to understand and deal with the daily issues and events of your life due to a serious mental illness, a traumatic brain injury, a developmental disability or a serious addiction. If you have difficulty with daily living, how can you cope with a system that you know nothing about? Who is available to help you?
Now, let’s say that you are a police officer, a states attorney, defense attorney or a judge who is dealing with an individual with a disability. Do you know if this person understands the charges against him/her or how to retain counsel? Does the person have a guardian or other support system? Who is available to help you?
How can justice be served and the community protected while taking into account the special circumstances a situation like this presents?
This is the challenge faced by a task force of more than 40 stakeholders consisting of advocates, parents, consumers (people with disabilities), judges, probation and parole staff, defense attorneys, law enforcement officers and others who are working together to update and expand North Dakota’s Individual Justice Plan (IJP) Manual.
The original IJP manual was developed in the late 1980’s specifically for use with individuals who have developmental disabilities and in response to the movement of those individuals from institutions to communities. Although the manual and the process has been used by some agencies and practitioners, it was not widely promoted and did not address specific interventions for persons with disabilities such as mental illness, substance abuse or traumatic brain injury.
Recently, the need for a complete review and updating of the manual became obvious to staff of the Protection and Advocacy Project (P&A). Together with representatives of the Department of Corrections (DOC), who had been focusing attention on the growing prison population, and the concerns about the appropriateness of incarceration of some individuals with disabilities, they agreed to evaluate the use of an IJP as a tool to deal with these types of situations more effectively. The IJP process has proven effective in the past and it was agreed that the manual should be reviewed, revised and expanded.
Facilitated by the Consensus Council, Inc. the task force is working on a three-year project that divides the work into four phases:
Phase I: Review, re-structuring and re-writing of the IJP manual.
Phase II: Pilot, test and evaluate the newly revised IJP manual.
Phase III: Revise, distribute and market the manual.
Phase IV: Maintain and continue to implement the manual.
The task force has designated a steering committee and work groups that have responsibility for the various activities involved in each phase. The sections of the revised manual will address the specialized concerns and needs of persons with specific disabilities.
The hope is that the result of the efforts of many will be a viable tool that provides justice and community safety while recognizing the unique needs of people with disabilities in North Dakota communities. The Consensus Council is pleased to provide assistance to the effort.
For more information on this initiative, contact Pam Mack at the Protection & Advocacy Project at pmack@state.nd.us or 701-328-2950.
*********************************************
6. 2005 Legislative Update: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
The bulletin
will be delivered to interested parties each Friday by way of e-mail via
attached Excel and/or Word file. Detailed information on bills and resolutions
in addition to legislative journals and hearing schedules can be accessed on the
Internet at
www.state.nd.us/lr/. 701-328-8733
********************************************* Newspaper Articles *********************************************
7.) Grand Forks Herald, Training grant will provide services to the community
Training
grant will provide services to the community Grand Forks Herald – 12/03/2004
The UND Department of Psychology has received a $650,000 grant for its clinical psychology doctoral program, money it says will help recruit students from under-represented groups and increase its service to UND students and to the community.
The three-year training grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will increase the number of minority students or educationally disadvantaged graduates who provide mental health services in medically underserved communities.
The grant was announced Wednesday morning at a news conference by UND president Charles Kupchella, Psychology Department chair Jeff Weatherly and clinical program director Alan King.
Community resource
King said the money would help UND transform its psychology training clinic into a community resource and enhance the quality of training to its students.
"These funds will supplement our efforts in a wide range of areas including the addition of clinic supervisors, support staff and medical consultants," King said.
<snip>
View full article here
*********************************************
8.) Grand Forks Herald, Domestic Violence: Local programs strive to stop violence in homes
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Local programs strive to stop
violence in homes Grand Forks Herald – 12/03/2004
The stress of the holidays too often leads to domestic violence, local victim advocates say.
The topic of holiday stress came up Thursday when board members and program coordinators of the Community Violence Intervention Center met with Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., to discuss domestic violence prevention and funding sources for the programs at the center.
"It's very important, as we enter the holiday season, to recognize that this is occurring and to show that people have places to go to be safe," Pomeroy said.
The center offers a safe place for domestic violence victims, and during previous holiday seasons, the center's Light of Hope emergency housing shelter has been overloaded, according to CVIC officials. The shelter can house up to 20 people at a time. The CVIC also provides counseling for perpetrators of domestic violence.
One major concern for the center in the coming year is funding. The center projects an annual budget of $1.5 million for 2005. If federal funding decreases - and Pomeroy said this is a possibility - programs and services offered through the center might suffer. He said that he would fight to ensure federal funding stays steady. Pomeroy said the state needs to address funding concerns, too.
<snip>
View full article here
*********************************************
9.) The Jamestown Sun, Other Views--Latest Scout lawsuit is frivolous
OTHER VIEWS--Latest Scout lawsuit is frivolous
The Jamestown Sun –
12/02/2004 The embattled Boy Scouts of America organization is in the crosshairs of another lawsuit, this one citing help from the U.S. military is unconstitutional.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit claiming the direct military support of the Boy Scouts is improper because the Boy Scouts require a belief in God.
The ACLU lawsuit will erode the ability of Scout troops to meet or hold events on a military base.
The 2004 election has been touted as the election of values with people placing more weight on ethics and morality than the economy or war.
The Boy Scouts do a lot of good. The group helps parents raise responsible adults, many who go forward to become great Americans. Yet, liberal groups seek to destroy the group.
The Boy Scouts have been attacked in recent years because they do not allow homosexuals to hold positions of leadership in their organization.
<snip>
View full article here
*********************************************
10.) The Forum (Fargo), Mai Moua and Lindsey Cordts letter: Reporting spreads the fires of racism
Mai Moua and Lindsey Cordts letter: Reporting spreads
the fires of racism
The recent violent tragedy in Birchwood, Wis., is not to be taken lightly, but the Associated Press article "Tradition turns deadly" greatly infuriated us. To call that article a piece of unbiased journalism is an insult to the art of journalism.
The suspect, Chai Vang, has not been formally charged but yet he is portrayed as a monster, thanks to the view of the writer. The people the writer chose to interview not only perpetuated the vision of a bloody massacre in the woods of Wisconsin, but the poorly chosen quotes that were used encouraged the racism that was brought on by this incident.
We find it laughable that a senator's only words to a news reporter are, "He's probably crazy." This makes us wonder if the questions asked Sen. Moua were geared toward answering the public's questions toward satisfying the writer's own personal thoughts.
In our opinion this writer is out for a quick story, not bothering to get to the true unbiased events that occurred. Whether Vang is guilty or not, this article has already set the idea that the Hmong are a cruel, heartless, maniacal Asian ethnicity.
It is writing exactly like this that is kindling that spreads the fire of racism.
Mai Moua and Lindsey Cordts
Moorhead
View online article here
*********************************************
11.) The Forum (Fargo), What ‘work’ can disable do?
What 'work' can disabled do?
Disabled workers in North Dakota face an unusual dilemma when reporting their monthly activities to the state workers' compensation bureau: They must disclose work of any kind - but the state hasn't defined "work."
State law indirectly gives a partial definition of "work" by providing examples of what isn't considered work.
By law, injured workers receiving disability or vocational rehabilitation benefits aren't prohibited from "routine daily activities of self-care or family care, or routine maintenance of the home and yard, and 'activities' does not include recreational gaming or passive investment endeavors."
So, a disabled worker would be allowed to mow his lawn - unless he told doctors he is unable to do so, or his performance on a functional capacity test indicated he couldn't.
Injured workers also must report all money received, regardless of whether they realized a "net profit" - for example, they must disclose a fishing contest cash award, even if expenses exceeded the award amount.
View online article here
*********************************************
12.) Bismarck Tribune, Missing persons list being set up for adults who are ‘vulnerable’
Missing
persons list being set up for adults who are 'vulnerable' Bismarck Tribune – 11/30/2004
FARGO --
Police here are working with local agencies to set up a notification program for
missing persons with developmental disabilities, similar to the Amber Alert
system for children. Amber Alerts
are media bulletins on kidnapped children and their abductors. They are named
after Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl abducted and later found murdered in
Texas.
<snip>
View full article here
*********************************************
13.) The Forum (Fargo), Plan identifies vulnerable adults
Plan identifies vulnerable adults
The man who raped her mentally disabled daughter has already been sent to prison for 125 years. Now Sandy Erickson said she hopes her daughter's five-day ordeal last January will change things for other vulnerable adults.
Her wish received a boost Monday with news that Fargo police and social workers have designed a way to identify people as vulnerable before they go missing. The precaution is meant to save valuable time during investigations and determine which missing adults need the most attention.
"I'm real thrilled because this is the exact reason I went public," Erickson said. "If something good comes out of this, then it was worthwhile what we went through."
The plan, which is ready for use, involves standardized evaluations for caregivers or families to keep on file. If someone has been evaluated as vulnerable and goes missing, police will know immediately the person is at risk, even if the circumstances of the disappearance wouldn't otherwise cause alarm.
Sometimes, especially early in an investigation, officers have difficulty determining how vulnerable an adult might be, said Lt. Tod Dahle. The case with Erickson's daughter, now 23, helped focus attention on this problem, he said.
<snip>
View full article here
*********************************************
14.) The Forum (Fargo), Mayor’s fraud ordeal ‘was not handled well’
Mayor's fraud ordeal 'was not handled well'
George Elhard's sporadic duties as mayor of Gackle, N.D., demand little of his time or effort. He presides over the monthly city council meetings, a ritual of governance usually disposed of in 1½ hours.
Beyond that, most of Elhard's mayoral chores in running the town of 335 can be dispatched with a phone call.
For his contributions to public service, Elhard receives a quarterly stipend of $147, payments he accepted with little thought and had automatically direct-deposited to his bank account.
But, unwittingly, those quarterly checks became the reason the state cut off his $880-a-month workers' compensation disability checks - his livelihood since a 1987 lower-back injury ultimately left him disabled.
<snip>
View full article here
*********************************************
15.) Bismarck Tribune, Task force closer to solutions
Cheryl Long Feather is a board member of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition.
Task force
closer to solutions Bismarck Tribune – 11/24/2004
A group
working to narrow the learning gap between American Indian and white students is
close to having a plan that reaches out to Indian students and parents but also
provides classroom support for all under-performing kids.
The final
proposal was developed from a framework created by Cheryl Longfeather -- a
parent who initiated the group when she brought concerns of Indian student
performance before the Bismarck School Board in June 2003. The framework focused
on four areas --curriculum and instruction, measuring academic achievement,
school culture, and climate and funding.
<snip>
View full article here
********************************************* Events *********************************************
A calendar of events for December is available on the NDHRC web site here.
*********************************************
16.) Signing Santa to visit area’s deaf Saturday
Signing
Santa to visit area’s deaf Saturday
Signing Santa will visit the area’s deaf and hearing impaired children and adults from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Kelly Inn, 3800 Main Ave., Fargo.
A lunch will be served during the event.
The event is sponsored by the Fargo-Moorhead Sertoma Club and Quota International of Fargo-Moorhead.
View online article here
********************************************* *********************************************
17.) Press Release: ND Workforce Development Council – State Commission on National & Community Service Announcing Competition for AmeriCorps National & State Proposals
For immediate release Contact: James J. Hirsch at 701-328-5345 Department of Commerce
The North Dakota Workforce Development Council – State Commission on National and Community Service is announcing that competition is open for both AmeriCorps*National and AmeriCorps*State proposals for projects during the 2005-2006 program year.
AmeriCorps members provide community services such as tutoring school children or immigrants, restoring natural habitat, mentoring at-risk youth, engaging in public education and advocacy, and assisting with disaster preparedness.
Projects are designed to involve groups of AmeriCorps members, either all working at one site, such as a literacy center, or at multiple sites around the state, such as homeless shelters or schools. Priority will be given to programs involving at least 10 AmeriCorps members and/or consisting of a number of community partners and organizations. An additional five (5) points will be awarded to programs proposing to serve rural areas of 2500 people or less, or an American Indian reservation.
Sometimes called a domestic Peace Corps, AmeriCorps is a national service program that helps communities address their toughest challenges in the areas of education, the environment, public safety, human needs, and homeland security. Grants offer benefits to the sponsoring agency, the members, and the communities they serve.
Eligible applicants include non-profit and faith-based organizations, local and state government entities, Indian tribes, school and police districts, institutions of higher education, and partnerships among any of the above.
People of all ages and backgrounds are given incentives to provide service through their sponsoring agency. Members receive a living allowance, training, work experience, and an education award of $4,725 to help pay for college tuition or to repay student loans. Members may provide service either full-time or part-time.
The AmeriCorps*National 2005 grant guidelines and application can be obtained through the national website at http://www.nationalservice.org/fundinginitiatives/index.html.
The North Dakota AmeriCorps*State Request for Proposal application can be downloaded by opening the website: www.ndcommerce.com and selecting “Workforce Development.” The AmeriCorps link is listed to the right. The RFP application can also be ordered by calling the North Dakota Department of Commerce, Workforce Development Division, at 701-328-7266.
The State Commission frequently receives far more applications than can be awarded. The State Commission selects applications using an extensive multi-stage process that includes reviews by peer review panels, the State Commission staff, Commissioners, and approval by the State Commission.
The North Dakota Workforce Development Council - State Commission on National and Community Service reserves the right to make no award. All awards will be subject to availability of member slots and funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service.
A Notice of Intent to Apply should be submitted by December 1, 2004, to the Department of Commerce, State Commission on National and Community Service, 1600 East Century Avenue, Suite 2, P.O. Box 2057, Bismarck, ND 58502-2057.
The deadline for applications is December 15, 2004, 4:00 p.m. CST at the Department of Commerce.
*********************************************
18.) Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowship Grants 2005
The Human
Rights Center at the University of Minnesota is accepting applications for
fellowship grants to residents of the Upper Midwest--including students,
teachers, lawyers, health professionals, community leaders, activists and
others--to undertake practical experience in human rights organizations.
*********************************************
19.) Nominations for Social Justice Leaders Sought for Leadership for a Changing World Program
Deadline: January 7, 2005
A program of the Ford Foundation, Leadership for a Changing World (LCW) seeks to recognize, strengthen, and support leaders and to highlight the importance of community leadership in improving people's lives.
In 2005, LCW will recognize seventeen leaders and/or leadership groups not broadly known beyond their immediate community or field. Awardees will participate in shared learning and networking opportunities; receive financial support and other assistance for their work; explore, through collaborative research, how leadership is perceived, created, and sustained; and contribute to current public discourse on leadership.
Awardees receive $100,000 over two years to support their programs or new work that is related to the initiatives for which they are being recognized. LCW also provides awardees with a $15,000 Independent Learning Account to explore new learning opportunities that will support their work.
Individual leaders or leadership groups may be nominated. Nominees must be working on social justice issues, including, but not limited to, economic development; community development; environment and environmental justice; human rights; citizen participation and government accountability; education reform; youth development; human development; sexual and reproductive health; religion and social change; arts and social action; and access to media, including new technologies.
Nominees must be U.S. residents working on domestic issues and must be working in organizations that do not focus on grantmaking activities. Nominees should be leaders who are not widely known outside their immediate community or field. Leaders must have been working for at least four years in the area for which they are being nominated.
Nominations must be made by someone other than the nominee, family member, current board member, staff, or consultant to/of the nominee's organization.
See the Leadership for a Changing World Web site for complete program information and a nomination brochure.
RFP Link: http://leadershipforchange.org/nomination/
*********************************************
20.) Sisters of the Presentation at Sacred Heart Convent, “2004 – 2005 Presentation Peace Studies Forum,” Fargo, ND
January 14, 2005
February 11, 2005 TBA Co-sponsored by F-M Amnesty International
March 11, 2005
April 29, 2005 Time and Place - TBA Tickets: $10.00
View additional information on the Sisters of the Presentation web site here
************************************************
***Member Reminder*** Please keep us in mind for your group or church social action/social justice meetings! We’d be happy to provide a presentation at a meeting or provide newsletter articles for your organizations.
************************************************
Do you have a Program, Announcement, Update or Resource that you would like shared on our weekly PAUR report? If so, please send an email to AndreaDeegan@NDHRC.org and we will do our best to accommodate you.
If you are not yet a member of NDHRC, what are you waiting for? Sign up now! The membership form is available on line at http://ndhrc.org/membership_form_revised.htm.
Not getting the PAUR Report directly in your email? It's so easy to be added to the PAUR mailing list! Email HumanRights@NDHRC.org.
|
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition P.O. Box 1961 Fargo, North Dakota 58107-1961 Phone: (701) 239-9323 Fax: (701) 478-4452 Email: humanrights@ndhrc.org
|
