As we approach the end of 2004, all of us at Connecticut Voices for Children
wish you happy holidays and a safe, healthy, and very happy New Year!  

In this issue of E-notes, you'll find:

*  E-Notes returning to a more regular schedule
*  Snapshots of CT Voices' recently-released reports
*  On becoming a Voice for Connecticut's Children

A. E-Notes returning to a more regular schedule

CT Voices for Children will be bringing you more regular updates through our
E-Notes listserv, and with somewhat different content and formatting than in
the past.  Through E-Notes, you'll receive approximately one to two messages
each month.  They'll include shorts summaries of new Voices' reports and
resources, news about upcoming Voices-sponsored events, and periodic action
alerts on key legislation.  

As you'll see from our updates below, Voices' staff continue to generate the
research reports on which so many of you have come to rely!

Feel free to share our updates with your colleagues!  They also can sign up
for E-Notes and Voices' other listservs at
http://www.ctkidslink.org/signup/signup.cgi


B. Snapshots of recently-released CT Voices reports

1. Summary of legislation affecting children and families

Interested in a summary of legislation passed in the 2004 General Assembly
Session that affects children and families?  See CT Voices' summary at:

http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_200.html

2. Why reducing child poverty is necessary to keep Connecticut
economically competitive

This short report assesses key demographic trends in Connecticut and
concludes that unless Connecticut reduces the number of children living in
poverty so they can fulfill their full potential, the state will lack
sufficient workforce with the education and training necessary to fill its
jobs, support its economy, support their own families, and provide a secure
environment for Connecticut's growing population of seniors.

http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_202.html

3. Survey investigates racial and ethnic disparities in HUSKY program

Two recent reports from Voices summarize the findings of a statewide
longitudinal survey of parents with children who were newly enrolled in
HUSKY (Medicaid managed care), and a comparison group of already-enrolled
children.  The research, funded by the Connecticut Health Foundation, looked
at racial and ethnic disparities in the HUSKY program.  Among the first
report's findings were: a) among children who were new to HUSKY A there were
no differences associated with race/ethnicity in insurance status prior to
enrollment, preventive care, and unmet health care needs, and feelings of
trust and respect in recent health care visits; b) Hispanic children were
less like to have had a usual source of care prior to enrollment; c) parents
of Hispanic children were more likely to report that their children were in
fair to poor health; and d) compared to children who were already enrolled
in the program, newly-enrolled children were more likely to have
foreign-born parents.  The second report found that that after one year of
enrollment in the HUSKY health insurance program, there was improved access
to health care among children, and that many of racial and ethnic health
care disparities that were evident at the time of enrollment were
eliminated.

http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_199.html
http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_198.html

4. Uninsured children in Connecticut

The United States Census Bureau estimates that 71,000 children under 18 in
Connecticut lacked health insurance for the entire year in 2003. This number
represents 8.3 percent of all Connecticut children.  This brief reviews
Census data on uninsured children in Connecticut and offers recommendations
for reducing the number of uninsured in the state.

http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_193.html

5. HUSKY at a glance

This Voices' fact sheet provides a brief overview of HUSKY and whom it
covers.

http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_194.html


6. Economic impact of Connecticut's early care and education industry

With a workforce that employs more people than the state's pharmaceutical
industry, Connecticut's early care and education (ECE) industry should be
given at least the same status as transportation, utilities and housing when
considering the state's essential economic health, according to a report by
the CT Center for Economic Analysis at the University of Connecticut. The
organizations that commissioned the report - CT Voices for Children, The
Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut and the CT Association
for Human Services -- created a summary brochure highlighting key findings
of the report and making recommendations.

http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_195.html

7. 50-state survey of laws regarding confidentiality of child
protection proceedings

In the 2004 General Assembly session, a bill was introduced to open juvenile
court proceedings to the public, including cases involving child abuse and
neglect. While the bill was not approved, it is expected that it will be
re-introduced in the 2005 Session. To provide context for the discussion,
two students at Yale Law School, who participate in Yale Legislative
Services under the supervision of CT Voices' Shelley Geballe and Ellen
Scalettar, prepared background materials on other states' positions on this
issue, including interviews with key stakeholders in states that have opened
proceedings in whole, or in part.

http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_197.html

8. Connecticut employment still on shaky ground

Employment numbers for September 2004 showed that Connecticut continues to
ride an uncertain economic wave. Connecticut's recession refuses to
relinquish its grip on the state economy three years after the national
recession officially ended in November 2001.

http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_196.html


C. Please join us as a Voice for Connecticut's Children

As the year draws to a close, we invite you to join us as a 2005 "Voice" for
Connecticut's children.  Memberships also can be given in honor of the
children in your life who are especially precious to you (we'll send a
special note to any child you decide to honor in this way!).  

With your support, Connecticut Voices can continue to produce the reports
and analyses on which so many have come to rely, and further enhance our
advocacy for Connecticut's kids and families!   Tax-deductible donations can
be sent to CT Voices for Children, 33 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06510.
With many thanks from all of us at Voices!!

-----------------------------------------

Connecticut Voices for Children
New Haven office: 33 Whitney Ave, New Haven CT 06510, (203) 498-4240
Hartford office: 60 Gillett St, Hartford CT 06105, (860) 548-1661
www.ctkidslink.org
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