iCan Newsletter

-- Elie Wiesel 

Gearing up for April’s Campaign to End Child Abuse and Neglect
iCAN will be Partnering with Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota (PCAMN) this April to raise awareness about issues of child abuse and neglect in Minnesota. We will be distributing blue ribbon sticker, parenting survival tip cards, and other materials this March to help participating congregations stay informed and advocate effectively for the children in our communities.

*If you would like materials please email Rachel at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  with how many stickers and parent survival cards your congregation needs my March 15.

PCAMN will be holding their Annual Conference, Prevention Works! Taking the Message Home, on April 7, 2010 at the St. Cloud Civic Center. This year their Keynote Speaker will be James M. Hmurovich, President/CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America. Click here for the brochure, and here for online registration.

Leading up to the campaign iCAN will be developing an Online Toolkit with information and actions that you can use to mobilize your community around child abuse and neglect prevention. Read our recent blog post on child neglect, and stay tuned for more!

Be an iCAN Congregational Sponsor
Thank you to those congregations who have become 2010 Congregational Sponsors:

• Adath Jeshurun Congregation Minnetonka
• Good Samaritan United Methodist Church
• United Church of Christ, New Brighton
• Valley Community Presbyterian Church

Please encourage your congregation to become a Congregational Sponsor of iCAN this year.  Click here for a list of past and current Congregational Sponsors. Key Advocates, don’t forget to encourage your congregations this year. Click here to donate!

Quick Policy Update: Funding Concerns
Last week, the House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division met to discuss the Governor’s proposed budget and hear from the community about the impacts on children. Click here to listen to the meeting from February 18. The committee took action to provide $500,000 to support child care providers getting ready for being rated in the state's pilot child care Quality Rating & Improvement System. The bill, H.F. 2760 was laid over for inclusion in the committee's omnibus funding bill to be created later this session. The companion Senate bill, S.F. 2505, continues to move through the committee process.  Thanks to Child Care WORKS for their work with this committee! 

A bonding bill that includes $2 million for constructing early childhood facilities was passed on Monday night by the House and Senate. The bill will now go to the Governor who has said he will likely veto. The Governor‘s original bonding proposal excluded the $2 million for early childhood facilities.

Stay Connected - Join iCAN on Facebook! 

--Carol Bellamy

Policy Update from the Capitol: Governor’s Budget and Children
On Monday Governor Pawlenty released his supplemental budget proposal, which includes deep cuts to child care funding and many other spending programs. In an attempt to balance a $1.2 billion deficit, $6.4 was proposed to be cut from child care and education in 2011 and would expand to $26.2 in the next biennium.

According to Child Care WORKS, proposed child care cuts include reductions in Basic Sliding Fee grants by 5% on July 1, 2010 and a 5% reduction in the maximum Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) rate, effective in March 2011. More detailed information will be presented at the Early Childhood Finance & Policy Division meeting on Thursday, February 18 please consider attending if you are available.

We will also be keeping an eye on the bonding bill, which funds capital and construction projects in Minnesota. The House and Senate both recently passed versions of a bonding bill that include $2 million funding for Early Childhood facilities and a joint conference committee will negotiate a bill that will be sent to the Governor. In the past Governor Pawlenty has line-item vetoed funding for early childhood facilities and with budget concerns everything is on the line.

For more information, check out Ready 4 K's statement on the Governor's proposed budget.   

April Campaign to End Child Abuse and Neglect
April is approaching quickly, which means that iCAN will be participating in a month long campaign. We will be working with our partner, Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota to raise awareness about and advocate for policies that protect against child abuse and neglect.

Are you interested in helping your congregation be a part of the campaign? iCAN will be making materials available for order, including Blue Ribbon Stickers and Parenting Survival cards, of which we have limited stock. If you are interested in receiving materials please email Rachel at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  and let me know how many stickers and cards your congregation would like by March 15th.

Advocate in Person: JRLC Day on the Hill
JRLC Day on the Hill 2010 will be March 25 and registration in now available. Click here for easy online registration. This year the theme is Justice We Pursue.

This year we will be acknowledging one of our Key Advocates in the rotunda during our Interfaith Social Justice Awards ceremony. Please join us to celebrate the great work that this year’s recipient and all of our Key Advocates are doing. If you are interested in learning more about the Key Advocate program or know someone who would be great for the position, please visit the Key Advocate section of our website.

Stay Connected: iCAN on Facebook
Be a Fan of iCAN on Facebook for current information on events, news and advocacy opportunities. Don’t forget to tell your friends to be fans too!