Canadian Social Research Newsletter
August 10, 2008
Welcome to the weekly Canadian Social Research Newsletter,
a listing of the new links added to the Canadian Social Research
Links website in the past week.
The e-mail version of this week's
issue of the newsletter is going out to 1851 subscribers.
Scroll to the bottom of this
newsletter to see some notes and a disclaimer.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Canadian content
1. Poverty
makes Ontario sick (The Toronto Star)
- August 5
2. Economic Security in Nova Scotia (Centre for the Study of
Living Standards) - July 16
3. Supporting and Engaging Older Workers in the New Economy +
federal govt. response (Expert Panel on Older Workers) - July 23
4. Recent Changes to Yukon Social Assistance Programs (Yukon Dept. of
Health and Social Services) - June 2008
5. What's New from Statistics Canada
6. What's new from the Childcare Resource and Research Unit (Toronto) -
August 8
International content
7. Poverty Dispatch: U.S. media coverage of social
issues and programs (Institute for Research on Poverty - University of
Wisconsin-Madison)
8. U.S. - State Strategies to Reduce Child and Family Poverty
(National Governors Association) - June 5
9. U.S. - Entering the Next Phase of Welfare
Reform: State Responses to Changes in Federal TANF Law and Regulations (National Governors Association) -
July 15
10. U.S. - Housing & Mortgages for People with Disabilities
11. Australian Policy Online Weekly Briefing - selected recent content
12. CRINMAIL (August 2008) - (Child Rights Information Network - CRIN)
Have a great week!
|
1. Poverty makes Ontario
sick - August 5 |
Poverty makes Ontario sick
August 5, 2008
Economic inequality translates into limited access to health-care for
province's poor
Source:
The Toronto Star
NOTE: The co-authors of this article, Dr. Michael
Rachlis, Dr. Gary Bloch and Dr. Itamar Tamari,
were also involved in writing the following series of three articles in
the May 2008 issue of the Ontario Medical Review:
Poverty and Health: article series
The Ontario Physicians Poverty Work Group has prepared a series of
articles that provide physicians with an overview of the issues related
to poverty and health, indicators and resources that can be used in
practice, along with strategies to help mitigate the health effects of
poverty in individual patients and communities.
* Part 1: Why poverty makes us sick (PDF - 157K, 6 pages)
* Part 2: Identifying poverty in your practice and community (PDF - 143K, 5 pages)
* Part 3: Strategies for physicians to mitigate the health effects of poverty (PDF - 2MB, 5 pages)
Source:
Ontario
Medical Review • May 2008 issue
[ Ontario Medical Association ]
Related link:
Doctors
Point to Poverty as Major Cause of Illness
New report shows how poverty impacts health and what doctors can do to
help address this growing health-care crisis
TORONTO, July 29 /CNW/ - A new report by a group of Ontario
doctors highlights the ways in which poverty affects the health
outcomes of adults and children and the role health-care professionals
can play in reducing the impact of poverty on people's health. The
report, "Why poverty makes us sick," authored by The Ontario Physicians
Poverty Work Group, reveals that poverty substantially raises the rate
of chronic illness, infant mortality and lowers life expectancy.
Source:
CNW Group (formerly Canada
Newswire)
- Go to the Health Links
(Canada/International) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/health.htm
- Go to the Ontario Municipal and Non-Governmental Sites (D-W) page:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/onbkmrk3.htm
|
2.
Economic Security in Nova Scotia - July 16 |
Economic Security in Nova Scotia (PDF - 1.7MB, 66 pages)
July 16, 2008
The report uses an aggregate index, based on security from the economic
risks imposed by four key factors – unemployment, illness, old age, and
single parenthood – to examine trends in economic security in Nova
Scotia from 1981 to 2007. It concludes that economic security in Nova
Scotia decreased during the 1981-2007 period.
Source:
Centre for the Study of Living Standards
(CSLS)
Other CSLS reports - 50+ links to reports going back to 1997
- Go to the Nova Scotia Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/nsbkmrk.htm
|
3. Supporting and
Engaging Older Workers in the New Economy + federal govt. response - July 23 |
What's new on the Human Resources and Social Development Canada website in July 2008:
Supporting and Engaging Older Workers in the
New Economy
This report by the Expert Panel on Older Workers is undated.
(Posted to the HRSDC site in July 2008;
PDF file created February 12, 2008)
Executive
Summary (see excerpt below)
Complete report:
HTML
version - table of contents and links to each chapter and
appendix in the report
PDF
version (874K, 110 pages)
Excerpt from the executive summary:
"(...) The Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada
established the Expert Panel on Older Workers on January 23, 2007. The
Panel members were selected for their experience in studying policy
issues. (...)The Panel's task was to consider the current situation and
future prospects of older workers, and to make recommendations to the
government."
Source:
Human Resources and
Social Development Canada (HRSDC)
[ Hey, HRSDC webguys! Try sticking a date on your reports, eh... ]
HRSDC Minister Monte Solberg's response
to the report by the Expert Panel on Older Workers:
New
Approaches and Partnerships to Meet the Labour Market Challenges of
Today and Tomorrow
Speaking Notes for The Honourable Monte Solberg
Minister of Human Resources and Social Development
at
The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER)
18th Annual Summit
“New approaches to meet the labour market challenges of today and
tomorrow”
Vancouver, British Columbia
July 23, 2008
Related links:
Expert
Panel on Older Workers (the Panel's own website)
- incl. links to : * About the Panel * Consultations * Submissions *
Research * FAQs * Links * Contact us
Older
Workers : Challenges and Policy Issues
Background and Issues Paper
March 2007
This discussion paper was part of a broad consultation process in 2007
that included provincial and territorial governments, the academic
community, employers, labour groups and other organizations.
- Go to the Human Resources and Social
Development Canada Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/hrsdc.htm
- Go to the Seniors (Social
Research) Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/seniors.htm
|
4. Recent Changes to
Yukon Social Assistance Programs - June 2008 |
Recent
Changes to Yukon Social Assistance Programs
June 2008
- changes include an increase to maximum social assistance rates (as of
the June 21/08 cheque), an increase to the maximum earnings exemption
(50% of employment income is exempt for up to three years, 25% after
that), changes for people with severe disabilities that will allow for
more flexibility in how the program may be able to respond to
individual circumstances, total exemption of the federal Registered
Disability Savings Plan and the Working Income Tax Benefit and
clarification of the administration of social assistance in Yukon (SA
Regulations have been more clearly written to distinguish between what
is “assistance” and what is considered “aid” or “welfare services”).
Source:
Yukon
Social Assistance
[ Dept. of Health and Social
Services (HSS) ]
- Go to the Yukon Links page:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/yk.htm
- Go to the Key Provincial/Territorial Welfare Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/welfare.htm
|
5. What's New from Statistics Canada |
What's New from The Daily [Statistics Canada]:
August 8, 2008
Labour
Force Survey, July 2008
Following gains at the beginning of 2008, and little change from April
to June, employment dropped by 55,000 in July. The unemployment rate
edged down 0.1 percentage points to 6.1%, as many people, particularly
youth, left the labour force.
August 8, 2008
Employment, Earnings and Hours
May 2008
Highlights
Complete
report (PDF - 2.2MB, 461 pages)
I think most of the folks who work on social program
stats at the Mother of All Statistical Agencies decided to take their
holidays at the same time --- it's pretty slim pickings these days.
To check for yourself, click the link below to check The Daily for
August:
August
2008 archives
Click the HTML link beside a date to see the releases for that day;
to see earlier months, use the drop-down menu at the bottom of the list.
- Go to the Federal Government Department Links (Fisheries and Oceans to Veterans Affairs) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/fedbkmrk2.htm
|
6. What's new from the Childcare Resource and Research Unit (Toronto) - August 8 |
What's new from the
Childcare Resource and
Research Unit (CRRU) :
August 8, 2008
Risques,
vulnérabilité et adaptation : les enfants à risque
au Québec
7 Aug 08
- Study by Christa Japel examining the conditions that young children
at risk in Quebec grow up in and the links they have to later cognitive
performance and behaviour.
International
Journal of Child Care and Education Policy
7 Aug 08
- Second volume of the international journal from the Korea Institute
of Child Care and Education covering various ECEC policy issues by
experts from around the world.
Sweden:
Childcare and education
7 Aug 08 - Powerpoint slides prepared by representatives from the
Ministry of Education and Science in Sweden describing the Swedish
childcare and education system.
more
WHAT'S NEW ONLINE »
child care in the news
· Education
former lieutenant-governor says province isn’t starting second language
training early enough [CA-PE]
7 Aug 08
· Report
recommendations must be taken on board [NZ]
7 Aug 08
· Childcare
giant looks to new directors to revitalize group [AU]
6 Aug 08
· Childcare
before kindergarten may promote obesity [US]
4 Aug 08
· New
beginning for early childhood development [JM]
3 Aug 08
· Peel
board early years centres give children substantial learning boost
[CA-ON]
16 Jul 08
Related Links:
Subscribe
to the CRRU email announcements list
Sign up to receive email notices of updates and new postings on
the CRRU website which will inform you of policy developments in early
childhood care and education, new research and resources for policy,
newly released CRRU publications, and upcoming events of interest to
the child care and broader community.
Links to child
care sites in Canada and elsewhere
CRRU Publications
- briefing notes, factsheets, occasional papers and other publications
ISSUE files
- theme pages, each filled with contextual information and links to
further info
Source:
Childcare Resource and
Research Unit (CRRU)
- Go to the Non-Governmental Early Learning and Child Care Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/ecd2.htm
| 7. Poverty
Dispatch: U.S. media coverage of social issues and programs (Institute for Research on Poverty - University of Wisconsin-Madison) |
Poverty
Dispatch (U.S). ===> the content of this link
changes twice a week
IRP compiles and distributes Poverty Dispatches twice a week. Each
issue of the dispatch provides links to U.S. web-based news items
dealing with topics such as poverty, welfare reform, child welfare,
education, health, hunger, Medicare and Medicaid, etc.
Each Dispatch lists links to current news in popular print media.
Latest issues of the Poverty Dispatch:
August
7, 2008
* States and Anti-poverty Initiatives
* Measuring the Success of Welfare Reform
* Social Service Agencies - California, Louisiana
* Privatization of Social Services - Indiana
* Medicaid Waiver Plan - Rhode Island
* Medicaid and Dental Care - Utah
* Homeless Population - Minnesota, Connecticut
* Energy Costs and Utility Shut-offs
* Massachusetts Child Care Vouchers and Payments to Providers
* Job Training Initiative and Green Jobs - Michigan
* Hiring Practices and Questions about Criminal Histories - New Haven,
CT
* Low-income Students and Access to College
* No Child Left Behind - Kentucky, North Carolina, Oregon, Minnesota
* Paid Sick Leave - Ohio
August
4, 2008
* Privatization of Social Services - Indiana
* TANF Programs - Virginia
* Child Poverty - Wisconsin
* Washington Post Series on Low-wage Workers
* State Medicaid Programs and Spending
* State Health Insurance Plans - Indiana, Connecticut, Tennessee
* Homelessness and Housing Programs
* Post-Katrina Temporary Housing
* Low-income Workers and Home-ownership Programs
* Utility Costs and Energy Assistance Programs
* U.S. Unemployment Rate
* Earned Income Tax Credit - Louisiana
* Child Care Subsidies - New York, Michigan
* Measuring Quality of Schools and Teachers
Past
Poverty Dispatches
- links to two dispatches a week back to June 2006
If you wish to receive Poverty Dispatches by e-mail,
please send a request to rsnell@ssc.wisc.edu
Source:
Institute for Research on Poverty
(IRP)
[ University of Wisconsin-Madison ]
- Go to the Links to American Government
Social Research page:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/us.htm
- Go to the Links to American Non-Governmental Social Research (A-J)
page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/us2.htm
- Go to the Links to American Non-Governmental Social Research (M-Z)
page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/us3.htm
|
8. U.S. - State
Strategies to Reduce Child and Family Poverty - June 5 |
From the National Governors Association:
State
Strategies to Reduce Child and Family Poverty (PDF - 223K,
20 pages)
Issue Brief
June 5, 2008
"(...) To help reduce poverty among children and families, states can:
• expand safety-net options for families in crisis;
• increase the returns on work;
• promote savings and asset accumulation;
• improve the consumer environment in poor neighborhoods;
• increase access to education and training;
• improve access to work supports;
• invest in programs for young children; and
• strengthen family relationships."
NOTE: you'll find dozens of links to related studies in the text and
in the endnotes of this brief.
Related news release:
States
Take Action to Alleviate Child and Family Poverty
NGA Issue Brief Examines State Approaches to Reduce Poverty
News Release
June 20, 2008
WASHINGTON—As families across the nation face financial hardships and
economic insecurity, states continue to lead the way in developing
solutions to help families ensure their economic well-being. These
efforts are highlighted in a new Issue Brief from the National
Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) titled
State Strategies to Reduce Child and Family Poverty.
Source:
National Governors
Association
Related link from Stateline.org:
States
adopt bold anti-poverty measures
August 7, 2008
As the economy falters and the ranks of the poor multiply, states for
the first time in recent memory are mounting high-profile,
comprehensive campaigns aimed at radically reducing poverty — many with
an emphasis on children.
Related link from
The Center for American
Progress:
From
Poverty to Prosperity: A National Strategy to Cut Poverty in Half
April 25, 2007
- Go to the Links to American Non-Governmental Social Research (M-Z) Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/us3.htm
|
9.
U.S. - Entering the Next Phase of Welfare
Reform: State Responses to Changes in Federal TANF Law and Regulations
- July 15 |
Entering the Next Phase of Welfare Reform:
State Responses to Changes in Federal TANF Law and Regulations (PDF - 163K, 16 pages)
Issue Brief
July 15, 2008
"(...) The provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act and final
regulations for implementing the reauthorized TANF program challenge
states to engage unprecedented numbers of TANF clients in work
activities, while facing added administrative burdens and static
resource levels. Nevertheless, states have demonstrated commitment and
resourcefulness in responding to the stricter federal requirements."
Related news release:
States
Adopt Innovative Strategies to Provide Assistance to Needy Families
News Release
July 29, 2008
A survey by the NGA Center reveals the innovative strategies states are
using to meet new, more stringent federal requirements of the Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
Source:
National Governors
Association
Some context:
Reauthorization
of the Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) Program : Final Rule (PDF - 360K,
58 pages)
February 2008
"(...) This final rule implements changes to the Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) program required by the Deficit Reduction Act
of 2005. The DRA reauthorized the TANF program through fiscal year (FY)
2010 with a renewed focus on work, program integrity, and strengthening
families through healthy marriage promotion and responsible fatherhood."
NOTE : the effective date of changes to TANF is October 1, 2008.
Source:
Administration for Children and
Families
[ U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services ]
- Go to the Links to American Non-Governmental Social Research (M-Z) Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/us3.htm
|
10. U.S. - Housing & Mortgages for People with Disabilities |
United States:
Housing & Mortgages for People with Disabilities - Link added August 7, 2008
This guide has been created to help
individuals living with disabilities, and their family members, in the
process of buying a home of their own. Here you can learn more about
the five important steps in buying a home and about financial
assistance programs that are available for you living with
disabilities, who want to buy a home.
After reading this guide to home ownership for people living with
disabilities, you will know more about:
* The advantages and disadvantages of buying a home
* The most important steps in the home-buying process
* Common terms related to home-buying
* How to get started in your quest to purchase a home
* Financial assistance geared toward enabling you living with
disabilities to buy your own homes
Source:
MortgageLoan.com
- Go to the Disability Links page:
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/disbkmrk.htm
- Go to the Homelessness and Housing Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/homeless.htm
| 11. Australian Policy Online Weekly Briefing - selected recent content |
APO Weekly Briefing
The content of this page changes each week, and it includes links to a
few book/report reviews, about two dozen new reports, a few job ads and
60 events (mostly conferences) of interest to social researchers...
Source:
Australian Policy Online (APO)
- home page
With nearly 120 member centres and institutes, Australian Policy Online
offers easy access to much of the best Australian social, economic,
cultural and political research available online.
NOTE: the APO home page includes links to the five most popular reports
on the APO website, and this list is updated each week.
APO Archive
The APO archive is grouped into 23 subject areas, with entries
appearing in reverse chronological order.
* Ageing *Asia and the pacific * Citizenship and the law * Disability *
Economics and trade * Education * Employment and workplace relations *
The environment * Foreign policy and defence * Gender and sexuality *
Health * Housing * Families and households * Immigration and refugees *
Income, poverty and wealth * Indigenous * Media, communications and
cultural policy * Politics and government * Population,
multiculturalism and ethnicity * Religion and faith * Rural and
regional * Science and technology * Social policy * Urban and regional
planning * Youth
- Go to the Social Research Links in Other Countries (Non-Government) page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/internatngo.htm
|
12. CRINMAIL - August 2008 |
From the Child Rights Information Network (CRIN):
7
August 2008 - CRINMAIL 1005
* HIV and AIDS: Make it Matter - 10 Key advocacy messages to prevent
HIV in girls and young women [publication]
* TANZANIA: Govt called on to come up with law on breast-milk
substitutes [news]
* GLOBAL: Sex education failing young people [news]
* AFGHANISTAN: Sex attacks on Afghan children continue to rise, rights
group says [news]
* CYPRUS: Child commissioner launches website [publication]
**NEWS IN BRIEF**
**QUIZ**
5
August 2008 - CRINMAIL 1004
* CHINA: More questions about Chinese gymnasts' ages [news]
* ENOC: Concerned over EU Return Directive [publication]
* IRAN: Human rights abuses against the Kurdish minority [publication]
* AFGHANISTAN: Children in prison with mothers [news]
* UNITED KINGDOM: Over-cautious parents stop play [publication]
* EMPLOYMENT - UNAMI
**NEWS IN BRIEF**
Earlier
issues of CRINMAIL
- links to 300+ earlier weekly issues, many of which are special
editions focusing on special themes, such as the 45th Session of the
Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights
of the Child.
Source:
CRINMAIL(incl. subscription
info)
[ Child Rights Information
Network (CRIN) ]
- Go to the Children's Rights Links page: http://www.canadiansocialresearch.net/chnrights.htm
Disclaimer/Privacy Statement
Both Canadian Social Research Links (the site) and this Canadian Social
Research Newsletter belong solely to me, Gilles Séguin.
I am solely accountable for the choice of links
presented therein and for the occasional editorial comment - it's my
time, my home computer, my experience, my biases, my Rogers Internet
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I administer the mailing list and distribute
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If you wish to subscribe to the e-mail version of newsletter, go to the
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You can unsubscribe by
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]
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Links presented in the Canadian Social Research Newsletter point to
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There are some that I don't agree with, so don't get on my case, eh...
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Cheers!
Gilles
E-MAIL:
gilseg@rogers.com
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And, in closing...
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