Hmong National Development, Inc.

Department of Homeland Security Announces New Internal Guidelines

New guidelines from DHS states that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should prosecute worksite enforcement.  The guidelines place greater emphasis on prosecuting employers for knowingly hiring undocumented immigrants. However, the guidelines do not end worksite raids and arrests of workers, nor do they address other concerns raised by advocates with respect to humanitarian and labor issues.  The limited scope of the guidelines underscores the need for comprehensive immigration reform. 

Restoration of Right-To-Counsel DecisionOn June 3rd, Attorney General Eric Holder withdrew a decision issued by outgoing Attorney General Michael Mukasey that purported to unravel decades of legal precedent on the important role of and right to competent counsel in immigration proceedings. Holder's withdrawal of Mukasey's decision improved the integrity of immigration court decisions and underscored the importance of protecting our fundamental principles of due process within our justice system.

Family Immigration Bill Introduced in the House

The "Reuniting Families Act" or H.R. 2709 was introduced on June 4th by Representatives Mike Honda(D,CA-15), Linda Sanchez (D, CA-39), and Raul Grijalva (D, AZ-7). This legislation recognizes the contributions of immigrants and the importance of families in strengthening our country. By improving the outdated family immigration system in order to reduce backlogs, countless families will not be forced to wait years - often decades - to reunify with loved ones. The House version of the bill contains an additional provision that would allow same-sex binational permanent partners to obtain lawful permanent resident status.

Administrative Relief for Widows and Widowers

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano issued a directive on June 9th to grant deferred action for two years to widows and widowers of U.S. citizens as well as their unmarried children under 18 years old - who reside in the United States and who were married for less than two years prior to their spouse's death. Previously, widows and widowers of U.S. citizens would have had their visa applications interrupted upon death of the main petitioner. This action provides an opportunity for some families to stay in the country and apply for work authorization for at least two years while their legal status is resolved. Additionally, DHS will soon issue guidance on how widows and widowers can apply for humanitarian reinstatement in the case that their petition was previously rejected.

Orphans, Widows and Widowers Protection Act Introduced in the Senate

The Orphans, Widows and Widowers Protection Act introduced by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) addresses the immigration-related hardships caused by the death of a sponsoring relative. There are over 200 surviving spouses of U.S. citizens fighting against immigration deportation and countless other legal immigrants who have been deported or risk deportation because of the death of a loved one. The Orphans, Widows and Widowers Protection Act would go further to extend permanent relief to a broader group of orphans, widows and widowers of legal immigrants including the relatives of U.S. citizens, permanent residents and refugees.

Health Disparity Bill To Be Introduced

On June 9th, the Congressional TriCaucus - comprised of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus unveiled a draft of the "Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2009." Seeking to address causes of health disparity across race, ethnicity, gender, and geography, this legislation supports efforts to ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate health care, improve workforce diversity, and strengthen and coordinate data collection and analysis.

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act Passes the Senate and the House

The Family Smoking Prevention Act and Tobacco Control Act would give the US Food and Drug Administration greater authority to regulate the ingredients in tobacco products, such as tar and nicotine; limit advertisements aimed at young people; as well as ban the use of candy or fruit flavoring in their products. This new law represents the toughest new measures on the tobacco industry in order to stop young people from smoking.

Castle Amendment Passes

The House passed the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 (H.R.2410) which authorized the hiring of 1,500 new Foreign Service officers and 700 additional staff members at the U.S. Agency for International Development. It would also significantly expand the number of Peace Corps volunteers from the current figure of about 8,000. The Foreign Relations Authorization Act also adopted the Castle amendment which would allow the Secretary of State to suspend diplomatic visas for countries that refuse or unreasonably delay repatriation of their citizens who are under final orders of removal from the United States.

Freddie Mac Changes Relief Finance Mortgages

Freddie Mac’s Relief Finance Mortgage is designed to assist borrowers who are currently on their mortgage payments, but who would benefit from refinancing into mortgages with terms that better position them for long-term homeownership. Borrowers will now be able to refinance a Freddie Mac owned home or guaranteed mortgage with any lender affiliated with Freddie Mac. Freddie Mac will allow the lesser of 4 percent of the new refinance mortgage amount or $5,000 of closing costs, financing costs and prepaids and escrows to be rolled into the new refinance mortgage.

Understanding the Health Care Debate

The Last Piece of the Puzzle: Providing High-Quality, Affordable Health Coverage to All Children through National Health Reform 

Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families CCF provides a blueprint of how to fill in the health coverage gaps for children and build a family-friendly health care system that addresses children's unique needs.

Explaining Health Care Reform: What are Health Insurance Exchanges?

Various health reform proposals being discussed suggest developing an 'exchange' or a marketplace where uninsured individuals will be able to purchase coverage. This brief explains the purpose and function of health insurance exchanges.

Rules of the Road: How an Insurance Exchange Can Pool Risk and Protect Enrollees

This report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities discusses features that should be included in a health insurance exchange so that it provides individuals with coverage options that are affordable, comprehensive and easy to compare.

Hidden Health Tax: Americans Pay a Premium, Families USA

Rising health care costs is among the top reasons why health care reform is urgently needed. This Families USA report reveals one of the factors driving the cost of health insurance up for those with coverage - a hidden surcharge for the uncompensated health care costs of the uninsured.

Upcoming Events

·         Alliance for Nonprofit Management Annual Conference 
The Alliance for Nonprofit Management is a professional association of leaders who work directly with nonprofit organizations in areas such as strategic planning, evaluation, technology, management, executive transitions, finance, human resources, and communications. The Alliance's 2009 Conference, "Delivering Impact: Improving Nonprofit Effectiveness," will address best practices in nonprofit capacity building, governance, nonprofit leadership, and management. The conference will be held July 15-17, 2009, in Palm Springs, CA. Registration information and conference details are available on the Alliance's website.

·         The Democracy Imperative National Conference The Democracy Imperative, in partnership with the Deliberative Democracy Consortium, is hosting a national conference "No Better Time: Promising Opportunities in Deliberative Democracy for Educators and Practitioners." The primary goal of this conference is to take stock of these developments and to consider future directions for educators in teaching, research, and in citizen-centered initiatives. The conference will be held July 8-11, 2009, in Durham, NH.

·         American Marketing Association: 2009 Nonprofit Marketing Conference  
The 2009 Nonprofit Marketing Conference, "Thriving in Times of Change," will bring together nonprofit marketing colleagues from across the country for three days of interactive sessions. The conference will be held in Chicago, IL, on July 15-17, 2009.

·         The 5^th National Small Farm Conference - "Roadmap to Success for Small Farmers and Ranchers"-will be held September 15-17, 2009, at the Hilton Springfield and the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, Illinois. http://www.conferences.uiuc.edu/smallfarm.

Important Information

·         Freddie Mac has launched their financial literacy curriculum, Credit Smart, on the internet. The curriculum will be available in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean.

·         Transition to Digital TV Is Complete: The digital television transition took place across the U.S. last Friday. Over the weekend, the staff and volunteers at DTV assistance centers were hard at work to ensure that their communities stayed connected with converter boxes and antennas.  

Job Opportunities

·         The Reform Immigration for America Campaign is recruiting individuals to help with outreach to a variety of constituency groups, and individuals who can help to organize in the Northeast and the Southeast. www.communitychange.org

·         NCOA is recruiting for a person who will coordinate research, evaluation, and technical assistance activities related to National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment (the Center).  The Center is tasked to increase access to benefits for seniors and younger adults with disabilities. Persons interested in applying for this position should send their resume to:  Wanda Moore Johnson, Director for Human Resources; National Council on Aging, Inc. (NCOA) 1901 L Street N.W.  4th floor, Washington, D.C.  20036 or they may email it to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Applications are due by July 8, 2009. www.CenterforBenefits.org

·         Natural Resources Specialist Outreach, contact: Erica J Hahn Tofte RD, Superior NF, 7355 W Hwy 61, Tofte, MN  55615; 218.663.8088

·         Biological Sciences Technician Outreach, contact: Erica J Hahn, Tofte RD, Superior NF, 7355 W Hwy 61, Tofte, MN  55615; 218.663.8088 

·         The ACLU of Virginia seeks a highly motivated individual committed to civil liberties and civil rights to direct our Virginia Voter Restoration Project. The VVRP director advocates for reform of the Virginia law denying voting rights to convicted felons, educates the public on the unfairness of Virginia’s voter restoration law, and  provides and coordinates direct services to individuals who have lost their right to vote. Applications should include a cover letter, resume, and list of at least three references, including contact information for each.  Please email applications to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Elizabeth Wong, Associate Director, ACLU of Virginia.

Funding Opportunities

Ronald McDonald House Charities Global Grants 
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Global Grants support nonprofit organizations and NGOs with national or international scope whose programs meet the needs of children. Organizations seeking funding should have a specific program that directly improves the health and well-being of children under 21 years of age, addresses a significant funding gap or critical opportunity, has long-term impact in terms of replication or reach, produces measurable results, and is sustainable without relying on RMHC funding. 

Christopher D. Smithers Foundation  
The mission of the Christopher D. Smithers Foundation is to inform the public that alcoholism is a respectable, treatable disease from which people can and do recover; to encourage prevention programs and activities, with an emphasis on high risk populations; and to continually fight to reduce and eliminate the stigma that is associated with the disease of alcoholism. The Foundation focuses its grantmaking on a wide range of issues related to alcoholism, including prevention, treatment, research, public education, and creating awareness of alcoholism problems in the nation's work world. Grant proposals are reviewed throughout the year.

Draper Richards Foundation Fellowship Program 
The Draper Richards Foundation provides selected social entrepreneurs with funding to start new nonprofit organizations through the Draper Richards Fellowships. Up to six fellowships are awarded annually for projects which demonstrate innovative ways to solve existing social problems. Funded projects, which must have national or global reach, can address a variety of public service areas, including, but not limited to, education, youth and families, the environment, arts, health, and community and economic development. Experienced, dedicated social entrepreneurs with a developed idea for a nonprofit organization in the United States are eligible to apply for up to $100,000 annually for three years.

Foster's Community Grants  
Foster's Community Grants, a program of the Foster's Group, a global company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, provides support to nonprofit organizations in the United States, Canada, and Australia for community-building projects. Grants are offered in the following focus areas: wellness, including both physical and mental health; culture, including artistic, sporting, and educational activities; and the environment, including all aspects of the natural environment. Online applications will be accepted from June 1 through July 6, 2009. 

W.K. Kellogg Foundation 
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and internationally that support communities as they create conditions that propel children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger society. The Foundation is committed to helping to strengthen the following four dimensions of community life: Family Income and Assets; Education and Learning; Food, Health, and Well-Being; and Family and Economic Security. Key approaches to working in communities are efforts to promote racial equity, as well as civic and philanthropic engagement. The Foundation's geographic priority areas in the U.S. include Michigan, Mississippi, and New Mexico; however, promising programs throughout the United States are also supported.

The Glaser Progress Foundation  
The Glaser Progress Foundation aims to build a more just, sustainable, and humane world by supporting nonprofit organizations with a national focus and a strong history of success in targeted program areas. The mission of the Measuring Progress program is to build a more equitable and sustainable world by measuring what we value rather than valuing what we measure. The Animal Advocacy program partners with animal protection organizations with the goals of increasing legal rights for animals, while decreasing the amount of their suffering, specifically in the areas of companion animals, great apes, and farmed animals. The Independent Media program works to strengthen democracy by fostering a strong and diverse community of independent voices. Applications may be submitted at any time.

KeyBank Foundation  
The KeyBank Foundation primarily provides support to nonprofit organizations that foster economic self-sufficiency in the communities where KeyBank operates in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington. The Foundation's Financial Education category supports programs that foster effective financial management and understanding of financial services and tools. The Workforce Development category supports programs that provide training and placement for people to access job opportunities for a stronger and better prepared workforce. The Diversity category supports programs that employ systemic changes to improve the access of individuals of diverse backgrounds and encourage them to realize their full potential. 

Unitarian Universalist Association: Fund for a Just Society  
The Fund for a Just Society, a program of the Unitarian Universalist Association, provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada that address issues of social and economic justice. The Fund supports organizations that use community organizing to bring about systemic change leading to a more just society and mobilize with those who have been disenfranchised and excluded from resources, power, and the right to self-determination. Consideration is given to projects that are less likely to receive conventional funding because of the innovative or challenging nature of the work or the economic and social status of the constituency.

WellPoint Foundation  
The WellPoint Foundation strives to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in the communities that WellPoint serves in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The Foundation focuses a high percentage of annual giving on its Healthy Generations Signature Program. The remaining percentage of the Foundation's grants fall into the Foundation's secondary Focused Giving areas: access to health care, health care disparities, health education, specific diseases, and non-healthcare-related quality of life. The Foundation also offers health care research and health policy grant opportunities. Applications in all categories are reviewed quarterly; the next deadline is August 19, 2009. 

Federal Deadlines

Department of the Interior: Joint Fire Science Program 
This program addresses problems associated with managing wildland fuels, fires, and fire-impacted ecosystems.

Department of Health and Human Services: Basic Center Program 
This program provides an alternative for runaway and homeless youth who might otherwise end up with law enforcement or in the child welfare, mental health, or juvenile justice systems.  

Environmental Protection Agency: National Wetland Program Development Grants 
This program addresses one or more of the following five national priority areas of the Wetland Program Development Grant Program: state/tribal technical and meeting support, regulation, monitoring and assessment, voluntary restoration/protection, and/or water quality standards for wetlands.

Department of the Treasury: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 
This program provides funding for volunteers to prepare and file federal tax returns electronically; to extend services to underserved populations in the hardest-to-reach areas, both urban and non-urban; and to significantly improve the accuracy of returns prepared at volunteer income tax assistance sites.

Department of Education: Teacher Quality Partnership Grants Program 
This program improves the quality of new teachers by creating partnerships that focus on improving student achievement, holding teacher preparation programs accountable, and recruiting highly qualified individuals.

National Endowment for the Humanities: Preservation Education and Training Grants 
This program seeks to help the staff of cultural institutions (large and small) obtain the knowledge and skills needed to serve as effective stewards of humanities collections.  

Department of Treasury: Low Income Taxpayer Clinic 
This program provides funding for programs that aid low-income taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service in audit, appeals, and collection issues, and federal tax litigation.

USDA: Rural Housing Preservation Grants 
This program assists very low- and low-income homeowners in repairing and rehabilitating their homes in rural areas.

Department of Justice: Predictive Policing Analytic and Evaluation Research Support  
This program provides funding to improve the situational awareness of law enforcement concerning individuals or locations before criminal activity occurs.

National Endowment for the Humanities: Humanities Collections and Resources 
This program supports projects that provide an essential foundation for scholarship, education, and public programming in the humanities.  

United States Department of Agriculture: National Integrated Water Quality Program 
This program improves the quality of U.S. surface water and groundwater resources through research, education, and extension activities.

US Election Assistance Commission: Help America Vote College Poll Worker Program 
This program recruits, trains, and supports college students to assist state and local governments in the administration of elections by serving as nonpartisan poll workers or assistants.

Department of Health and Human Services: In Community Spirit - Prevention OWH 
This program increases HIV prevention knowledge and reduces the risk of contracting HIV among Native/American Indian and Alaska Native women living in Indian country using multi-level interventions and approaches.

Department of Energy: Recovery Act: Energy Efficient Information and Communication Technology 
This program develops new technologies to dramatically improve energy efficiency in information communications technology, with an emphasis on new technologies that can be commercialized within the next three to five years.