Hello Everyone,
Please enjoy the information contained in this edition of Frontier Focus. Please be sure to share it with your members, colleagues, providers and office billing staff. Thank you for your continued efforts to broadcast Medicare information to the providers in Region VIII.
Table of Contents
1. Medicare Part B Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP) Updates
2. Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Updates
3. CMS Hosts Listening Session on Hospital-Acquired Conditions in Inpatient and Outpatient Settings
4. Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Program Update
5. Pricer Updates
6. News for Medicare Physicians and Non-Physician Practitioners Regarding Medicare Enrollment!
7. New Electronic Mailbox for Submitting Requests to Add or Delete Telehealth Services
8. New From the Medicare Learning Network
9. December 8 – 14, 2008 is National Influenza Vaccination Week
10. Extra Help for Beneficiaries Paying for Prescription Drugs
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1. Medicare Part B Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP) Updates
CAP Claims Submission Deadlines and Unused CAP Drugs
In preparation for the 2009 CAP postponement, the following is a reminder about upcoming CAP deadlines. It is very important that participating CAP physicians understand and comply with these deadlines because failure to do so will affect physicians’ ability to be reimbursed.
CAP Drugs Administered during 2008
§ All CAP drug claims must have a date of service on or before December 31, 2008, and physicians’ corresponding CAP drug administration claims must be submitted on or before January 30, 2009.
§ CAP drug claims for dates of service after December 31, 2008 will be denied.
§ CAP drugs that have not been administered by December 31, 2008 are the property of the Approved CAP Vendor.
CAP Drugs NOT Administered by December 31, 2008
§ CAP physicians must return any unused CAP drugs to the Approved CAP Vendor by February 28, 2009.
§ CAP drugs are the property of the Approved CAP Vendor. Therefore, physicians who have not returned these drugs to the Approved CAP vendor on or before February 28, 2009 will be liable for the cost of drugs.
§ Please note that CAP physicians may contact the Approved CAP Vendor to discuss the option of purchasing unused CAP drugs.
Emergency Restocking of CAP Drugs for Dates of Services on or before December 31, 2008
§ When permitted under the emergency restocking provisions, physicians may submit a prescription order for a CAP drug to replace what they used from their own stock (the emergency restocking provision). Physicians may request replacement drugs ONLY if the date of service is on or before December 31, 2008, AND the corresponding drug administration claim has been submitted on or before January 30, 2009.
§ Physicians must request replacement drugs by January 30, 2009.
§ The Approved CAP Vendor will not send replacement products under the CAP emergency restocking provision (J2 modifier claims) after February 28, 2009.
§ CAP physicians who have not submitted a prescription order and a request for replacement drugs under the emergency restocking provision as described above will not be able to bill Medicare under the ASP system for the CAP drugs that they administered on or before December 31, 2008 from their private stock.
What should you do to prepare?
Physicians who are participating in the CAP during 2008 are encouraged to contact the Approved CAP Vendor and reconcile their inventories as soon as possible. Contact information for the Approved CAP Vendor, BioScrip, is available on their website at www.bioscrip.com.
Additional information on the 2009 CAP Postponement is available on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CompetitiveAcquisforBios/01_overview.asp
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CAP Post Payment Review in 2009
After January 1, 2009, the CAP post payment review process will continue for 2008 claims. The post payment review process for the CAP is conducted to verify drug administration for Medicare claims submitted by an Approved CAP Vendor. For this process, a small sample of physician and Vendor claims and other documentation is examined in order to establish that drugs billed by an Approved CAP Vendor were administered and were medically necessary.
To support this review, participating CAP physicians may receive a request for copies of medical records from the CAP designated carrier, Noridian Administrative Services (NAS). Medicare requirements require participating CAP physicians to submit all information necessary to support the services billed on claims.
Participating CAP physicians must submit medical records to NAS within the requested timeframe. This submission should include the patient's drug administration record and all other records supporting medical necessity for the drug. If CAP post payment review activity cannot establish that a drug was administered, then the vendor's drug claim will be denied. The associated physician drug administration claim will also be referred to the physician's local carrier for review and recoupment as necessary.
For additional information on the post payment review process, please visit NAS's CAP website at: https://www.noridianmedicare.com/cap_drug/index.html.
Also, please remember that CAP drugs will not be available from an Approved CAP Vendor for dates of service after December 31, 2008. Additional information about the 2009 CAP postponement claims submission deadlines, and instructions about what to do with unused CAP drug is available on the CMS CAP website at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CompetitiveAcquisforBios/01_overview.asp.
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2. Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Updates
2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative
National Provider Question & Answer Session
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Provider Communications Group will host the ninth in a series of national provider conference calls that began in November of 2007 on the 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). This toll-free call will take place from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., EST, on Tuesday, December 16, 2008.
Following a short presentation on the final PQRI 2007 reporting experience and a discussion of results from 2007, the lines will be opened to allow participants to ask questions of CMS PQRI subject matter experts.
Educational products are available on the PQRI dedicated web page located at, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI on the CMS website, in the Educational Resources section.
Feel free to download the resources prior to the call so that you may ask questions of the presenters, Dr. Michael Rapp and Dr. Daniel Green.
Conference call details:
Date: December 16, 2008
Conference Title: 2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative National Provider Call
Time: 3:30-5:00 p.m. EST
In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation. If you cannot attend the call, replay information is available below.
Registration will close at 3:30 p.m. EST on December 15, 2008, or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to this time.
1. To register for the call participants need to go to: http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/121608
2. Fill in all required data.
3. Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box.
4. Click "Register".
5. You will be taken to the “Thank you for registering” page and will receive a confirmation email shortly thereafter. Note: Please print and save this page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation emails. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam/junk mail filter as it may have been directed there.
For those of you who will be unable to attend, a replay option will be available shortly following the end of the call. This replay will be accessible from 4:00 p.m. EST 12/16/2008 until 11:59 p.m. EST 12/23/2008. The call in data for the replay is (800) 642-1687 and the passcode is 76618434.
If you require services for the hearing impaired please send an email to Medicare.TTT@PalmettoGBA.com.
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Reporting Experience for the
2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative
New Report Posted Today Outlines CMS’ Response to Program Issues
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce the release of a new report entitled, “Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI): 2007 Reporting Experience.” The report provides a detailed analysis of the 2007 PQRI reporting experience and outlines some of the challenges and successes of the 2007 program, as well as some of the business reasons that may explain why these challenges occurred.
Specifically, the report describes several issues identified for 2007 and CMS’ plans for modifications to the analytics for the 2008 PQRI. In addition, CMS will apply these modifications to the 2007 PQRI data and re-run the data. CMS expects that additional eligible professionals will qualify for an incentive payment for both 2007 and 2008 based on these efforts. It is anticipated that these activities will be completed by the fall of 2009.
The report is available online at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI/Downloads/PQRI2007ReportExperience.pdf on the CMS website.
This report will be also discussed on the upcoming PQRI National Provider Call to be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2008, from 3:30 PM EST to 5 PM EST. To register for the call, visit http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/121608 on the Internet.
To learn more about PQRI, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/pqri on the CMS website.
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2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Program
New Educational Resources Now Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce that two (2) new educational resources on the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) have been posted to the PQRI webpage on the CMS website.
2009 PQRI Quality Measure List- This reference list outlines the 153 quality measures which were published in the in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) 2009 final rule on November 19, 2008. To access the 2009 PQRI Quality Measure list, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI/15_MeasuresCodes.asp#TopOfPage on the CMS website. Once on the Measure/Codes page, scroll down to the “Downloads” section and click on the “2009 PQRI Quality Measures List” link.
The detailed measure specifications will be available on this webpage on or before December 31, 2008.
Registry Requirements for Submission of 2009 PQRI Data on Behalf of Eligible Professionals- This document describes the high-level requirements for a registry to qualify to submit under the registry-based reporting alternatives for 2009. This document also outlines how a registry can become qualified for 2009 data submission. To access the Registry Requirements for Submission of 2009 PQRI Data on Behalf of Eligible Professionals document, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI/20_Reporting.asp#TopOfPage on the CMS website. Once on the Reporting page, scroll down to the “Downloads” section and click on the “Registry Requirements for Submission of 2009 PQRI Data on Behalf of Eligible Professionals” link.
To qualify to submit data on behalf of eligible professionals seeking incentive payments for 2009, registries are required to go through a self-nomination and vetting process if they are new to PQRI registry reporting or to notify CMS of their desire to continue PQRI data submission in 2009 if they were qualified in 2008. Selected registries must meet certain technical and other requirements specified by CMS.
Detailed information on the 2009 PQRI, including the 2009 Registry Requirements, may be found in the final 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule with comment period (73 FR 69817 through 69847) that was published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2008. The final rule with comment period can be found in the “Related Links Outside of CMS” section of the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative website at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26213.pdf on the CMS website.
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3. CMS Hosts Listening Session on Hospital-Acquired Conditions in Inpatient and Outpatient Settings
On October 30, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services posted a notice in the Federal Register regarding a Listening Session on Hospital-Acquired Conditions in Inpatient and Outpatient Settings. The Listening Session will be held on December 18, 2008. Additional information on the Listening Session, as well as registration instructions, is available at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/HospitalAcqCond/07_EducationalResources.asp#TopOfPage
.
CMS has recently updated the Hospital-Acquired Conditions website to include the agenda for the Listening Session.
On October 30, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services posted a notice in the Federal Register regarding a Listening Session on Hospital-Acquired Conditions in Inpatient and Outpatient Settings. The Listening Session will be held on December 18, 2008. Participants can register for the Listening Session through December 11, 2008, at:
https://registration.intercall.com/menu.php?short_name=cms2
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4. Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Program Update
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce that the specifications for the E-Prescribing measure, which will be used to determine whether an eligible professional is a successful E-Prescriber and may qualify for a 2% incentive payment for the 2009 reporting period, has been posted to the CMS website. The measure specifications may be found in the “Downloads” section of the E-Prescribing Incentive Program webpage at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI/03_EPrescribingIncentiveProgram.asp#TopOfPage on the CMS website.
An eligible professional does not have to enroll in order to participate in the E-Prescribing Incentive Program. Furthermore, an eligible professional does not need to participate in PQRI in order to participate in this incentive program.
Beginning January 1, 2009, eligible professionals may participate in the E-Prescribing Incentive Program by submitting information required by the E-Prescribing measure on their Medicare Part B claims.
Detailed information on the implementation of the E-Prescribing Incentive Program for 2009 may be found in the final 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule with comment period that was published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2008. A copy of the final rule with comment period is on display at the Federal Register and can be viewed at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/physician.asp on the CMS website.
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5. Pricer Updates
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) PPS PC Pricer for FY 2009 with the latest Provider Specific File data. If you use SNF PC Pricer software, please go to the web page at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PCPricer/04_SNF.asp#TopOfPage and down load the latest FY 2009.0 version of the PC Pricer posted 12/01/2008.
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the FY 2009 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) PC Pricer. If you use the IRF PC Pricer, please go to the web page at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PCPricer/06_IRF.asp#TopOfPage and down load the most recent version of the FY 2009 IRF PC Pricer posted on 11/26/2008.
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the FY09 Inpatient PPS PC Pricer (INP PPS) with the October ’08 Provider data. If you use the INP PPS PC Pricer, visit the CMS web page at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PCPricer/03_inpatient.asp#TopOfPage and download the FY 2009 version of the PC Pricer posted on 11/26/2008.
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6. News for Medicare Physicians and Non-Physician Practitioners Regarding Medicare Enrollment!
MEDICARE PHYSICIANS AND NON-PHYSICIAN PRACTITIONERS
INTERNET-BASED MEDICARE ENROLLMENT IS AVAILABLE
in 15 STATES and the DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
IT’S FAST, SECURE, and EASY
December 1, 2008
Now there’s a better way for physicians and non-physician practitioners to enroll or make a change in their Medicare enrollment information. The Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) will allow physicians and non-physician practitioners to enroll, make a change in their Medicare enrollment, view their Medicare enrollment information on file with Medicare, and check on the status of a Medicare enrollment application via the Internet.
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Internet-based PECOS is available to physicians and non-physician practitioners in District of Columbia and the following States:
Delaware Minnesota New Jersey
Idaho Missouri North Carolina
Illinois Nebraska Pennsylvania
Iowa Maryland Tennessee
Kansas Michigan Wisconsin
Physicians and non-physician practitioners in the District of Columbia and the States shown above who wish to access Internet-based PECOS may go to https://pecos.cms.hhs.gov.
CMS will expand the availability of Internet-based PECOS for physicians and non-physician practitioners to all States over the next 2 months. In addition, CMS will make Internet-based PECOS available next year to all providers and suppliers (except durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers).
Fast
By submitting the initial Medicare enrollment application through Internet-based PECOS, a physician or non-physician practitioner’s enrollment application can be processed as much as 50 percent faster than by paper. This means that it will take less time to enroll.
Physicians and non-physician practitioners are required by regulation to report certain changes in their enrollment information within specified timeframes. Internet-based PECOS will allow them to update, make corrections, and check on the status of their Medicare enrollment applications —again, as much as 50 percent faster than by paper. Changes include a change in practice location, ownership, or final adverse action (e.g., medical license suspension or revocation.) For additional information about the types of changes that must be reported, go to the download section of www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll.
Secure
Internet-based PECOS meets all required Government security standards in terms of data entry, data transmission, and the electronic storage of Medicare enrollment information. Only authorized individuals can enter enrollment information into PECOS or view PECOS data from the Internet. Authorized individuals include physicians and non-physician practitioners. Their User IDs and passwords protect the access to their enrollment information. After physicians or non-physician practitioners create User IDs and passwords or change their passwords, they should keep this information secure and not share it with anyone. By safeguarding their User IDs and passwords, they are taking an important step in protecting their enrollment information. CMS does not disclose Medicare enrollment information to anyone except when we are authorized or required to do so by law.
Easy
Internet-based PECOS is a scenario-driven application process with front-end editing capabilities and built-in help screens. The scenario-driven application process will ensure that physicians and non-physician practitioners complete and submit only the information necessary to enroll or make a change in their Medicare enrollment record. In contrast to the information collected on the CMS-855I, physicians and non-physician practitioners will no longer see questions that are not applicable to their enrollment scenarios when using Internet-based PECOS.
Additional Information
For information about Internet-based PECOS, including important information that physicians and non-physician practitioners should know before submitting a Medicare enrollment application via Internet-based PECOS, go to www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll.
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7. New Electronic Mailbox for Submitting Requests to Add or Delete Telehealth Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) makes any additions or deletions to the services defined as Medicare telehealth services effective on a January 1st basis. Any interested parties from either the public or private sectors may submit requests for adding services to the list of Medicare telehealth services.
Requests for adding services to the list of Medicare telehealth services may be submitted on an ongoing basis. Requests must be submitted and received no later than December 31 of each calendar year to be considered for the following year's proposed rule (i.e. requests must be received by December 31, 2008, to be considered during the 2009 rulemaking cycle that establishes physician fee schedule rates for 2010).
Requests to add or delete services can be mailed to:
Division of Practitioner Services
Mail Stop: C4-03-06
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850
Attention: Telehealth Review Process
As an alternative to regular mail, requests may be submitted electronically to the Telehealth Requests resource mailbox:
CMS Telehealth_Review_Process@cms.hhs.gov
For information on submitting a request to add or delete telehealth services, visit the CMS Web site at:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/telehealth/
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8. New From the Medicare Learning Network
The ICD-10-Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System Fact Sheet, which provides general information about the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) including benefits of adopting the new coding system, structural differences between ICD-9CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS, and implementation planning recommendations, is now available in print format from the Medicare Learning Network. To place your order, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/01_Overview.asp, scroll down to “Related Links Inside CMS” and select “MLN Product Ordering Page.”
The revised Facilitator's Guide - Companion to Medicare Physician Guide: A Resource for Residents, Practicing Physicians, and Other Health Care Professionals (October 2008) is now available in downloadable format from the Medicare Learning Network. This publication, which includes all the information and instructions necessary to prepare for and present a Medicare Resident, Practicing Physician, and Other Health Care Professional Training Program including instructions for facilitators, customization guide, a PowerPoint presentation with speaker notes, pre- and post-assessments, master assessment answer keys, and evaluation tools, may be accessed at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/MPUB/list.asp.
Now available from the Medicare Learning Network! The Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Resources for Indian Health Care Professionals CD Rom. This CD provides descriptions of and links to various MLN products that can help Indian health care professionals and their staff gain a better understanding of the Medicare fee-for-service program. To view a PDF file of the content found on the CD, click on the following link http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/wIndianHealthFS102908f.pdf. Copies of this CD may be ordered free of charge from the CMS MLN Product Ordering Page, located at http://cms.meridianksi.com/kc/pfs/pfs_lnkfrm_fl.asp?lgnfrm=reqprod&function=pfs.
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9. December 8 – 14, 2008 is National Influenza Vaccination Week
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the week of December 8-14, 2008, as National Influenza Vaccination Week. This week-long event is designed to raise awareness of the importance of continuing influenza (flu) vaccination, as well as foster greater use of flu vaccine in December, January, and beyond. Since flu activity typically does not peak until February or later, December and January still provide good opportunities to offer flu shots. This year, Thursday, December 11th, is designated as Seniors' Vaccination Day. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) needs your help to ensure that people with Medicare get their flu shots. Please use this week long event as an opportunity to place greater emphasis on flu prevention. If you have Medicare patients who have not yet received their annual flu shots, we ask that you encourage these patients to protect themselves from the seasonal flu and serious complications arising from the flu virus by recommending that they take advantage of the flu shot benefit covered by Medicare. And remember, health care professionals and their staff are also at risk for contracting and spreading the flu virus, so don’t forget to immunize yourself and your staff. Protect yourself, your patients, and your family and friends. Get Your Flu Shot -- Not the Flu!
NOTE: - Influenza vaccine plus its administration are covered Part B benefits. Influenza vaccine is NOT a Part D covered drug.
For More Information
Health care professionals and their staff can learn more about Medicare’s coverage of the flu vaccine and other Medicare Part B covered vaccines and related provider education resources created by CMS, by reviewing Special Edition MLN Matters article SE0838 located at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0838.pdf on the CMS website.
For more information about National Influenza Vaccination Week, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, http://www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw/, on the Web.
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10. Extra Help for Beneficiaries Paying for Prescription Drugs
Do You Know Someone Who Is Having Trouble Paying For Prescription Drugs?
Medicare Can Help!
· If an individual has limited income and resources, they may qualify for extra help from Medicare. It could be worth over $3,300 in savings on prescription drug costs per year.
· Encourage people with Medicare to file for Extra Help online: https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/i1020/main.html or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply over the phone.
· State Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP) offices can assist with the application. Find contact information for a local SHIP Counselor at http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/static/allStateContacts.asp or by calling
1-800-MEDICARE.
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Lucretia James
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Region VIII
1600 Broadway, Suite 700
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 844-1568
lucretia.james@cms.hhs.gov
Professor Emeritus -- Dr. Tom Seymour from West Fargo, North Dakota -- Professor, Minot State University, MSU Faculty Regents Award (2015) -- PAST Peer Reviewer (Higher Learning Commission - Chicago); - Author and Presenter Board of Directors, SRT Communications, Inc and Minot City Alderman - Ward 5 (2010-June, 2016) PAST - Editor-in-Chief (North Dakota State Senator (2002-2010) 2017-Cass County Electric Cooperative- Board of Directors
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Unmanned Aircraft in Grand Forks, North Dakota
NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2008
Contact: Don Larson or Don Canton
(701) 328-2200
HOEVEN: FIRST PREDATOR B UNMANNED AIRCRAFT ARRIVES IN GRAND FORKS, BIG STEP FOR NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today said the state is working to forge partnerships between Customs and Border Patrol, the Grand Forks Air Force Base, the North Dakota Air National Guard, the University of North Dakota and the city of Grand Forks to make the region a center for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operations.
The Governor spoke this morning with Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Michael C. Kostelnik, Assistant Commissioner for Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, regarding the scheduled arrival today of the first Predator B Unmanned Aerial System in Grand Forks. The General indicated that weather conditions along the flight route could delay the arrival.
Kostelnik said the Custom and Border Patrol UAS launch and recovery team will be located at the Grand Forks Air Force Base using their agents, as well as contract pilots. The general said they are working with UND Aerospace and the North Dakota Air National Guard to employ pilots for the northern border mission. The Grand Forks CBP air wing will be the first to fly unmanned missions over the northern border. The team will fly limited operations, which will be expanded as the program develops.
“The arrival of the Predator System on the northern border marks a milestone, not only for North Dakota, but for the nation,” Hoeven said. “We have forged strong partnerships and supported this mission with state resources. We will continue to support it as we work to establish Grand Forks as a leader for unmanned aerial systems operations.”
Last July, the University of North Dakota’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center of Excellence and a team of global defense and aviation technology companies were awarded a nearly $50 million Air Force Contract. UND’s Center will help train pilots for the newest generation of the military’s unmanned aerial vehicles.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2008
Contact: Don Larson or Don Canton
(701) 328-2200
HOEVEN: FIRST PREDATOR B UNMANNED AIRCRAFT ARRIVES IN GRAND FORKS, BIG STEP FOR NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today said the state is working to forge partnerships between Customs and Border Patrol, the Grand Forks Air Force Base, the North Dakota Air National Guard, the University of North Dakota and the city of Grand Forks to make the region a center for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operations.
The Governor spoke this morning with Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Michael C. Kostelnik, Assistant Commissioner for Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, regarding the scheduled arrival today of the first Predator B Unmanned Aerial System in Grand Forks. The General indicated that weather conditions along the flight route could delay the arrival.
Kostelnik said the Custom and Border Patrol UAS launch and recovery team will be located at the Grand Forks Air Force Base using their agents, as well as contract pilots. The general said they are working with UND Aerospace and the North Dakota Air National Guard to employ pilots for the northern border mission. The Grand Forks CBP air wing will be the first to fly unmanned missions over the northern border. The team will fly limited operations, which will be expanded as the program develops.
“The arrival of the Predator System on the northern border marks a milestone, not only for North Dakota, but for the nation,” Hoeven said. “We have forged strong partnerships and supported this mission with state resources. We will continue to support it as we work to establish Grand Forks as a leader for unmanned aerial systems operations.”
Last July, the University of North Dakota’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center of Excellence and a team of global defense and aviation technology companies were awarded a nearly $50 million Air Force Contract. UND’s Center will help train pilots for the newest generation of the military’s unmanned aerial vehicles.
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ded. nd rental
beneficiaries both during and after the 36-period.
provisions require ad
tivimplementation. For thoseaccept comments on the in a subsequent final rule Initial Preventive PhysicIn an effort to increase besection 101 of MIPPA wai
rovisions, CMS will and res
Examination: ficiary access to care, the deductible for l examination (IPPE), expands the types of
s incIPPE to include discussion and body mass index assethe timeframe for IPPEfrom Part B enrollme
end-of-life planning sments, and extends e to 12 months
rag
changes are effective ary 1, 2009. nal Preventive horizes the Secretary for services on or after J Authority to Cover AddiMIPPA, for the first time, autof Health and Human Serto additional preventive
es to extend coverage ices through the tion process if: nes them to be ary for the prevention • The Secretary determior early detection of
illn • They are recommendB by the United StatesTask Force, a taHealthcare Research
th a grade of A or
Prev AmbulanceSection 146groundthe period J2009, by 3 perural areaoriginating inestablishesfor air amarea that wasunder neweffect Januar MiscellaMIPPA: Technicafor Hospital Pallows indedirectly fohospital inpatiDecemberbe bundled Exceptions tMIPPA extetherapy cap Telehealth Sadds the sites: a hoscommuservices
The Pulse of CMS Page 3
Medicare Providers Con
e to
Be Satisfied with Contra
rs New MPlans ReleaseCMS has released final reMedicare beneficiaries fropressure marketing tactics bycompanies and their agents2009 Medicare Advantag
g
ulations that will protect present
m
deceptive or high- private insurance prohibite• Reviewing
during the upcoming e and prescription drug e regulations also include ed Medicare Advanadvertise• Reensur
open enrollment perioother non-marketing relatand prescription drug plan (P The two regulations includetelemarketing and other unsoliccontacts. The new rules also
D
) p
rovisions. hibitions on ted sales ohibit financial agents and brokers ppropriately moving, ne plan to another mpliance with these • Ensuring threpomarketiissues. Another key provagents and brokbeneficiary in a plage
to maximize commissions bor churning, beneficiaries froeach year. Plans were to be iprovisions
o
r marketing activities will build upon the ance prto plan. Thesbeneficiaries frohave been acrather than
CMS will emphasize efforts thsuccess of past marketplace s
rveillns’Medicare healthcare providers contisatisfied with services provided by Medfor-service contractors, showing a relsmooth transition to the new MedicaAdministrative Contrace fee-
ore
contractors was 4.51 on a scale of 1 to 6.year’s average score was comparable tyear’s average score of 4.56. The Medicare Contractor Provider SatisSurvey (MCPSS), conducted by CMS fyear, is designed to gather and repoquantifiable dathis t on e third
tivth the nd pay llion ately
fe
e-for-service contractors which procesMedicare claims. In 2007, more than oclaims were processed and paid one million health care providers who provmedically necessary items and servicemillion beneficiaries. As in 2007, the top indicator of satisproviders in 2008 was how Medicare chandled provider inquiries. T
marketing practices reflect the new requirements. Surveillance will include: ctors one of
consecutive year this function was citethe key indicators of provider satisfacall contractor types, claims procesremained a strong indicator in 200ross der arts of ith and omly- h • Tripling the numberactivities in which a Meprospective enrol
ret shopper” are official poses as a onitors sales agents’ Part C andviewed on the hwebsite.
satisfaction, as in the past two yearthe claims function particularly assoprovider satisfaction included c
The 2008 survey queried
selected providerscare practitioners
Medicare beneficiaries across the c
s S CMS has announcedbetween the quality of cMedicare in hospital outpatien(HOPDs) and the payments hosthose services. In a final rul
trengthen the tie ished to people with departments pitals receive for blishing MedicThe final rule emrationale existsa policy that worelated to illnessCMS FocuseServices in 20spital Quality on O
during a hospitapolicy would make adjustments to O
The Pulse of CMS Page 4
Ne
Caregiver
Chances are, you know a L
. Linda takes care of he a widow, who lives e of her recently Now Medicare offers s services netothers can g
1,200 miles away, and tadisabled husband at hom45 minutes to and from a Family caregivers like Lindmore than one full-time job.demands of the workplac
r
a also commutes e office job. tually hold down ey respond to the then come h
to meet the nones. In fact, fa
di
sabled loved provide almost 80 U.S. They’re me estimates place ear, for free.
percent of long term-cproviding this service, whiat a staggering $350
.
CMS has launched a new servialled Ask Medicare, to support Linda and the more th
ce c
million Americ
adults—who ation on a wide igating social
provide care to a lo Ask Medicare provides inforrange of issues and hCMS wMedhelp with hcommunity sehousing op Ask countrydoctor. It ctelephone nuand help thassistance. Caregiverscaregivers Chances are, ycase we hCMS website. In July 2000, the Treasury Department’sManagement Service and the IRS starteFederal Payment Levy Program (FPLP),authorized by Internal Revenue Code Se(h), as prescribed by Section 1024 of theRelief Act of 1997. Through this prograof overdue taxcial is
h 6331 ayer ection cludes ndors, ith certain federal payments is authorizfederal payments made to contractors aincluding Medicare providers, doing the government. Beginning in October 2008, Medicare provpayments will be levied to pay delinquentowed by Medicare providers. Payments wsubject to a maximum 15 percent lecontinuous until overdue taxes are paid other arrangements are made to satisfy the deEach time a federal payment is levie
wdebts
yor bt. ll send that is out a remittance advice to include twithheld and a Department of the Treasurynumber to be used by the payee to discureduction in payment. If the amount of the withholding through FPLP exceeds the toowed by the payee
ephone e ebt nsible , only h you. ation to for refunding the overpayment to the Medicare contractors will not have share with you.calling 1-800-82
ctly by A Medicare LearnIRS FedProgram published that discus
tail. The changes in the finaoutpatient services furnis
will apply to more than 4,000 based on a formudesigned to procoinsurance
by
hospitals, inpatient nt psychiatric e hospitals, 25 percent of all tyHOPDs, reflectingrehabilitation facilities, inpfacilities, long-term acute chospithospitals will receive $30.1 billion in CY 2009 for outpatient services furnished to Medicare The final rule
beneficiarpayments of almost $3.9 billion in CY 2009 to more than 5,100 ASCs that participate in Medicare. December 29, 2the comments wil Hospital OutpStory continuedtient Quality (cont’d from pre
gionare oloradkota, egionre professionals” Coloradkota, Utah and Wyoming. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Denver Regional Office
l Daal publication for health cao, Montana, North Dakota, South DaThe The Pulse of CMS
successfully reports undePQRI initiatives could receiveboost for 2009.
e-prescribing and a 5.1 percent pay mprovem
the PQRI, which allows eligibreport quality measures relatipractice
e
ssionals to their clinical ully report on their arn an incentive ribing incentive Medicare allowed rates will become pear in the
cases during 2009 will bpayment, in addition to the e-payment of 2 percent of theircharges.
The revised policies and paeffective January 1, 2009.
m
ments on :00 P.M. EST on e responding to a later date. ision
he comments ill be p
For more details on the generule, CMS’ implementation of thprescribing initiative, and MIPPMedicare Fact Sheets post
ov
QRI and e-hanges, see the
e
2009 PQwith CCMS Implementsew Incentives to Encurage E-Prescribing
physicians to trade in their prescription improve efficiency and safety when ordfor patients with Medicare. The initiativeincluded in the Medicare Physician Fefinal rule for calendar year 2009. ds and ing drugs s chedule
Widespread adoption of electronic preliminate medication errors that result fromisreading of handwritten prescriptionbeneficiaries may also have reduced out-costs as e-prescribing facilitates combetween prescribers and pharmacies ocost generic alternatives. Physicians and other eligible professioadopt and use qualified electronprescribing) systems to transmit prescri
ibing can m the edicare of-pocket ication
lower-s who
percent of their tota
during 2009. This incentive is in addi
percent incentive payment for 2009 for
who successfully report measures under the RI), and the 1.1 the
Physician Quality Reporting Initiative
both incentive payments are in additi
percent fee schedule update require
Medicare Improvements for PatientsProviders Act of 2008. Thus, a physiThe Physician Q2008 will end on Dparticipated in 20received by Febru To submit many registry on ththey will be sreporting period,measures or measreport. The Medicare ImProviders Act (Mauthorities and2009 andaddition of “qualeligible provider. Fprofessionals shaltotal allowablemonths after the the reporeporting
The Pulse of CMS Page 2
CMS Clarifies M
CMS Phy
s
icin
Changes for Oxygen Required by M
IPPA The Medicare Improvements for Patients aAct of 2008 implements new payment rulsuppliers effeCMS issued a final rule forFee Schedule for 2009 on final rule implements a nuMedicare ImprovementsProviders Act of 2008 (MIon July 15, 2008. Most oimplementing and require ochanges
the Medicare Physician October 30, 2008. The mber of provisions of the for Patients and PPA), which became law f these changes are self-nly conforming o CMS regulations. Some e interpretation for
oviders xygen ges r 2009 n d
were made under the physician fee schedwhich went on display in the Federal RegisOctober 30, 2008. It is important to note that Medicare hascoverage of oxygen for benefic
nge
change of supplier responsibilities and equipment after 36 months of use mand
p of recent ing e
atechanges in the Medicare law. Medicare is chow it pays oxygen suppliers as follows: • For the first 36 mon
t
hs, the supplier rental payments for oxygen and equipme• After 36 months, the supplier is required tto furnish an
nt
t
a
dditional charge, but Medicare will contifor oxygen contents furnished for use wi
to pay uid or o
•
Also, after 36 months, the suppliercontinue to furnish replacement accessosupplies (e.g., masks, regulators, tubingadditional charge. • When the equipment is no longer needback to the supplier; title is not transbeneficiary after 36 months as was done pr
tn
d
oe
s ly.
This new payment method enprovision of oxygen, prevents supto receive payment for equipmenpayments hav
ng e
ning
ded. nd rental
beneficiaries both during and after the 36-period.
provisions require ad
tivimplementation. For thoseaccept comments on the in a subsequent final rule Initial Preventive PhysicIn an effort to increase besection 101 of MIPPA wai
rovisions, CMS will and res
Examination: ficiary access to care, the deductible for l examination (IPPE), expands the types of
s incIPPE to include discussion and body mass index assethe timeframe for IPPEfrom Part B enrollme
end-of-life planning sments, and extends e to 12 months
rag
changes are effective ary 1, 2009. nal Preventive horizes the Secretary for services on or after J Authority to Cover AddiMIPPA, for the first time, autof Health and Human Serto additional preventive
es to extend coverage ices through the tion process if: nes them to be ary for the prevention • The Secretary determior early detection of
illn • They are recommendB by the United StatesTask Force, a taHealthcare Research
th a grade of A or
Prev AmbulanceSection 146groundthe period J2009, by 3 perural areaoriginating inestablishesfor air amarea that wasunder neweffect Januar MiscellaMIPPA: Technicafor Hospital Pallows indedirectly fohospital inpatiDecemberbe bundled Exceptions tMIPPA extetherapy cap Telehealth Sadds the sites: a hoscommuservices
The Pulse of CMS Page 3
Medicare Providers Con
e to
Be Satisfied with Contra
rs New MPlans ReleaseCMS has released final reMedicare beneficiaries fropressure marketing tactics bycompanies and their agents2009 Medicare Advantag
g
ulations that will protect present
m
deceptive or high- private insurance prohibite• Reviewing
during the upcoming e and prescription drug e regulations also include ed Medicare Advanadvertise• Reensur
open enrollment perioother non-marketing relatand prescription drug plan (P The two regulations includetelemarketing and other unsoliccontacts. The new rules also
D
) p
rovisions. hibitions on ted sales ohibit financial agents and brokers ppropriately moving, ne plan to another mpliance with these • Ensuring threpomarketiissues. Another key provagents and brokbeneficiary in a plage
to maximize commissions bor churning, beneficiaries froeach year. Plans were to be iprovisions
o
r marketing activities will build upon the ance prto plan. Thesbeneficiaries frohave been acrather than
CMS will emphasize efforts thsuccess of past marketplace s
rveillns’Medicare healthcare providers contisatisfied with services provided by Medfor-service contractors, showing a relsmooth transition to the new MedicaAdministrative Contrace fee-
ore
contractors was 4.51 on a scale of 1 to 6.year’s average score was comparable tyear’s average score of 4.56. The Medicare Contractor Provider SatisSurvey (MCPSS), conducted by CMS fyear, is designed to gather and repoquantifiable dathis t on e third
tivth the nd pay llion ately
fe
e-for-service contractors which procesMedicare claims. In 2007, more than oclaims were processed and paid one million health care providers who provmedically necessary items and servicemillion beneficiaries. As in 2007, the top indicator of satisproviders in 2008 was how Medicare chandled provider inquiries. T
marketing practices reflect the new requirements. Surveillance will include: ctors one of
consecutive year this function was citethe key indicators of provider satisfacall contractor types, claims procesremained a strong indicator in 200ross der arts of ith and omly- h • Tripling the numberactivities in which a Meprospective enrol
ret shopper” are official poses as a onitors sales agents’ Part C andviewed on the hwebsite.
satisfaction, as in the past two yearthe claims function particularly assoprovider satisfaction included c
The 2008 survey queried
selected providerscare practitioners
Medicare beneficiaries across the c
s S CMS has announcedbetween the quality of cMedicare in hospital outpatien(HOPDs) and the payments hosthose services. In a final rul
trengthen the tie ished to people with departments pitals receive for blishing MedicThe final rule emrationale existsa policy that worelated to illnessCMS FocuseServices in 20spital Quality on O
during a hospitapolicy would make adjustments to O
The Pulse of CMS Page 4
Ne
Caregiver
Chances are, you know a L
. Linda takes care of he a widow, who lives e of her recently Now Medicare offers s services netothers can g
1,200 miles away, and tadisabled husband at hom45 minutes to and from a Family caregivers like Lindmore than one full-time job.demands of the workplac
r
a also commutes e office job. tually hold down ey respond to the then come h
to meet the nones. In fact, fa
di
sabled loved provide almost 80 U.S. They’re me estimates place ear, for free.
percent of long term-cproviding this service, whiat a staggering $350
.
CMS has launched a new servialled Ask Medicare, to support Linda and the more th
ce c
million Americ
adults—who ation on a wide igating social
provide care to a lo Ask Medicare provides inforrange of issues and hCMS wMedhelp with hcommunity sehousing op Ask countrydoctor. It ctelephone nuand help thassistance. Caregiverscaregivers Chances are, ycase we hCMS website. In July 2000, the Treasury Department’sManagement Service and the IRS starteFederal Payment Levy Program (FPLP),authorized by Internal Revenue Code Se(h), as prescribed by Section 1024 of theRelief Act of 1997. Through this prograof overdue taxcial is
h 6331 ayer ection cludes ndors, ith certain federal payments is authorizfederal payments made to contractors aincluding Medicare providers, doing the government. Beginning in October 2008, Medicare provpayments will be levied to pay delinquentowed by Medicare providers. Payments wsubject to a maximum 15 percent lecontinuous until overdue taxes are paid other arrangements are made to satisfy the deEach time a federal payment is levie
wdebts
yor bt. ll send that is out a remittance advice to include twithheld and a Department of the Treasurynumber to be used by the payee to discureduction in payment. If the amount of the withholding through FPLP exceeds the toowed by the payee
ephone e ebt nsible , only h you. ation to for refunding the overpayment to the Medicare contractors will not have share with you.calling 1-800-82
ctly by A Medicare LearnIRS FedProgram published that discus
tail. The changes in the finaoutpatient services furnis
will apply to more than 4,000 based on a formudesigned to procoinsurance
by
hospitals, inpatient nt psychiatric e hospitals, 25 percent of all tyHOPDs, reflectingrehabilitation facilities, inpfacilities, long-term acute chospithospitals will receive $30.1 billion in CY 2009 for outpatient services furnished to Medicare The final rule
beneficiarpayments of almost $3.9 billion in CY 2009 to more than 5,100 ASCs that participate in Medicare. December 29, 2the comments wil Hospital OutpStory continuedtient Quality (cont’d from pre
Thursday, December 4, 2008
North Dakota State Senate 2009 Legislative Session Committee List
2008 COMMITTEE LIST
APPROPRIATIONS
1. Holmberg, chair
2. Bowman, co-vice
3. Grindberg, co-vice
4. Christmann 5. Fischer
6. Kilzer IBL
7. Krebsbach 1. Klein, chair
8. Wardner 2. Wanzek, vice chair
9. Krauter 3. Andrist
10.Lindaas 4. Nodland
11. Mathern 5. Behm
12. Robinson 6. Horne
13. Seymour 7. Potter
14. Warner
EDUCATION
1.Freborg, chair JUDICIARY
2. G. Lee, vice chair 1. Nething, chair
3. Flakoll 2. Olafson, vice chair
4. Bakke 3. Lyson
5. Taylor 4. Fiebiger
FINANCE & TAXATION 5. Nelson
1. Cook, chair 6. Schneider
2. Miller, vice chair
3. Oehlke HUMAN SERVICES
4. Hogue 1. J. Lee, chair
5. Anderson 2. Erbele, vice chair
6. Dotzenrod 3. Dever
7. Triplett 4. Heckaman
5. Marcellais
6. Pomeroy
GVA
1. Dever, chair
2. Oehlke, vice chair
3. Cook
4. Horne
5. Nelson
NATURAL RESOURCES POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS
1. Lyson, chair 1. Andrist, chair
2. Hogue, vice chair 2. Olafson, vice chair
3. Erbele 3. J. Lee
4. Freborg 4. Anderson
5. Pomeroy 5. Bakke
6. Schneider 6. Dotzenrod
7. Triplett
TRANSPORTATION AGRICULTURE
1. G. Lee, chair 1. Flakoll, chair
2. Nodland, vice chair 2. Wanzek, vice chair
3. Nething 3. Klein
4. Fiebiger 4. Miller
5. Marcellais 5. Behm
6. Potter 6. Heckaman
7. Taylor
APPROPRIATIONS
1. Holmberg, chair
2. Bowman, co-vice
3. Grindberg, co-vice
4. Christmann 5. Fischer
6. Kilzer IBL
7. Krebsbach 1. Klein, chair
8. Wardner 2. Wanzek, vice chair
9. Krauter 3. Andrist
10.Lindaas 4. Nodland
11. Mathern 5. Behm
12. Robinson 6. Horne
13. Seymour 7. Potter
14. Warner
EDUCATION
1.Freborg, chair JUDICIARY
2. G. Lee, vice chair 1. Nething, chair
3. Flakoll 2. Olafson, vice chair
4. Bakke 3. Lyson
5. Taylor 4. Fiebiger
FINANCE & TAXATION 5. Nelson
1. Cook, chair 6. Schneider
2. Miller, vice chair
3. Oehlke HUMAN SERVICES
4. Hogue 1. J. Lee, chair
5. Anderson 2. Erbele, vice chair
6. Dotzenrod 3. Dever
7. Triplett 4. Heckaman
5. Marcellais
6. Pomeroy
GVA
1. Dever, chair
2. Oehlke, vice chair
3. Cook
4. Horne
5. Nelson
NATURAL RESOURCES POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS
1. Lyson, chair 1. Andrist, chair
2. Hogue, vice chair 2. Olafson, vice chair
3. Erbele 3. J. Lee
4. Freborg 4. Anderson
5. Pomeroy 5. Bakke
6. Schneider 6. Dotzenrod
7. Triplett
TRANSPORTATION AGRICULTURE
1. G. Lee, chair 1. Flakoll, chair
2. Nodland, vice chair 2. Wanzek, vice chair
3. Nething 3. Klein
4. Fiebiger 4. Miller
5. Marcellais 5. Behm
6. Potter 6. Heckaman
7. Taylor
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Teacher Education Events
AACTE Weekly News Briefs | December 2 , 2008___________
. . . delivered to your inbox so you can enjoy up-to-date news on Colleges of Education, Teaching and the Classroom, Campaigns, Legislation, STEM Teacher Issues, International Teacher Issues, Grants, and Upcoming Events. Please click on linked headlines for full story.
AACTE ANNOUNCEMENTS
AACTE Launches Brand New Logo
The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education’s brand mark has taken on a brand new look. Though the updated mark incorporates many of the same elements as AACTE’s previous logo this redesigned version should serve to better connect AACTE’s visual image, name, and acronym with its mission and focus. It sends a clear message, to our members and the general public, that AACTE is all about and means teacher education.
AACTE Board Elections
All AACTE Institutional Representatives are eligible to vote for new members of the AACTE Board of Directors, one of the most important benefits of AACTE membership. Please take advantage of this privilege and make your voice heard. For more information please click here.
AACTE Web Conference
AACTE presents "Building an Accreditation Learning Community," a Web Conference for Deans and NCATE Coordinators. From December 2, 2008 through December 4, 2008 participate from the comfort of your own office in this multi– day web event that includes a mix of pre -recorded and live sessions, online chats, and resource sharing on topics such as Assessment Rubrics, Creating the Electronic Exhibit Room, Writing An Institutional Report and preparing for the Visit. For more information about fees and registration, please click here.
NATIONAL NEWS
Study Links Teacher Attributes to Effectiveness
From Education Week
Districts and schools wishing to hire more-effective teachers could benefit from collecting a broader set of information on their candidates, concludes a new working paper by several well-known teacher-quality researchers. The report, released by the Cambridge, Mass.-based National Bureau of Economic Research, studies certain characteristics of teachers that are not typically examined by districts—such as general cognitive ability, content knowledge, personality traits, and feelings of self-efficacy—and tries to link those characteristics to better teaching.
Professor Is Leading Ed. Policy Review
From Education Week
President-elect Barack Obama made the first significant education appointment of his transition, naming a prominent education researcher and a frequently mentioned candidate for secretary of education to lead the review of federal education policy.
The appointment of Stanford University education professor Linda Darling-Hammond to the key transition role drew praise and criticism from different quarters of the Democratic Party.
Lessons From 40 Years of Education 'Reform'
From the Wall Street Journal
While the economic news has most Americans in a state of near depression, hope abounds today that the country may use the current economic crisis as leverage to address some longstanding problems. Nowhere is that prospect for progress more worthy than the crisis in our public education system.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
Special needs in the lecture hall
From the Burlington Free Press
Some things in academia never change, but the big lecture is not one of them. Take Nicole Phelps’ U.S. history survey course at the University of Vermont, where the professor delivers her 50-minute monologue in a kind of 21st-century landscape that was unimaginable a generation ago.
Alternative certification programs placing more teachers in classrooms
From the Star-Telegram
If teaching is a calling that you considered when you made your original career plans, it may not be too late to heed that call. There are three usual paths to becoming a teacher. The first: earn your certificate as an undergraduate majoring in education. But if you’ve already earned a degree in something else, it’s possible to earn a teaching certificate through a university post-baccalaurate program, or by alternative certification.
It's No Secret: Progress Prized In Brownsville
From Education Week
Cromack Elementary School’s progress in helping such students illustrates the strengths of a school district where nearly half of the students are English-language learners, nearly all are from low-income families—and where students in all grades outperform those in similar districts statewide in reading and math. That performance, aided by strong teacher professional development and data-based instruction, are a key reason why the Brownsville district was awarded the prestigious 2008 Broad Prize for Urban Education for being the nation’s most improved urban school district.
Other Announcements
AERA Grants and Fellowship Programs
AERA Grants and Fellowship Programs provide funding to help graduate students and early career scholars develop research skills and conduct studies in education and related fields. Application deadlines for the 2009 competitions are fast approaching! Please follow the links below for more information.
AERA-AIR (A²) Fellows Program
Application deadline: December 15, 2008.
AERA-ETS Fellowship Program in Measurement
Application deadline: December 15, 2008.
· Minority Fellowship Program in Education Research
Application deadline: December 15, 2008.
· AERA Grants Program
The next application deadlines are August 29, 2008; January 7, 2009; and March 6, 2009.
From the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is accepting applications to serve on committees responsible for reviewing and revising standards in two areas: English as a New Language and Social Studies-History. To access the online application click here. The application will be available through December 12, 2008, 5:00pm EST.
For assistance or additional information please contact NBPTS at nominations@nbpts.org.
AACTE 61st ANNUAL MEETING & EXHIBITS
February 6 - 9, 2009
Hyatt Regency Chicago - Virtual Tour
Chicago, IL
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Click Here to register for the 61st Annual Meeting & Exhibits. This will lead you through creating an account which you can use for future meetings. If you registered for the Accountability, Accreditation, and Quality Conference, Click Here to use the account you set up when registering for that meeting.
Alyssa J. Mangino
Communications Manager
AACTE
1307 New York Ave., NW Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 478-4596 -Direct
(202) 457-8095 -Fax
amangino@aacte.org
. . . delivered to your inbox so you can enjoy up-to-date news on Colleges of Education, Teaching and the Classroom, Campaigns, Legislation, STEM Teacher Issues, International Teacher Issues, Grants, and Upcoming Events. Please click on linked headlines for full story.
AACTE ANNOUNCEMENTS
AACTE Launches Brand New Logo
The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education’s brand mark has taken on a brand new look. Though the updated mark incorporates many of the same elements as AACTE’s previous logo this redesigned version should serve to better connect AACTE’s visual image, name, and acronym with its mission and focus. It sends a clear message, to our members and the general public, that AACTE is all about and means teacher education.
AACTE Board Elections
All AACTE Institutional Representatives are eligible to vote for new members of the AACTE Board of Directors, one of the most important benefits of AACTE membership. Please take advantage of this privilege and make your voice heard. For more information please click here.
AACTE Web Conference
AACTE presents "Building an Accreditation Learning Community," a Web Conference for Deans and NCATE Coordinators. From December 2, 2008 through December 4, 2008 participate from the comfort of your own office in this multi– day web event that includes a mix of pre -recorded and live sessions, online chats, and resource sharing on topics such as Assessment Rubrics, Creating the Electronic Exhibit Room, Writing An Institutional Report and preparing for the Visit. For more information about fees and registration, please click here.
NATIONAL NEWS
Study Links Teacher Attributes to Effectiveness
From Education Week
Districts and schools wishing to hire more-effective teachers could benefit from collecting a broader set of information on their candidates, concludes a new working paper by several well-known teacher-quality researchers. The report, released by the Cambridge, Mass.-based National Bureau of Economic Research, studies certain characteristics of teachers that are not typically examined by districts—such as general cognitive ability, content knowledge, personality traits, and feelings of self-efficacy—and tries to link those characteristics to better teaching.
Professor Is Leading Ed. Policy Review
From Education Week
President-elect Barack Obama made the first significant education appointment of his transition, naming a prominent education researcher and a frequently mentioned candidate for secretary of education to lead the review of federal education policy.
The appointment of Stanford University education professor Linda Darling-Hammond to the key transition role drew praise and criticism from different quarters of the Democratic Party.
Lessons From 40 Years of Education 'Reform'
From the Wall Street Journal
While the economic news has most Americans in a state of near depression, hope abounds today that the country may use the current economic crisis as leverage to address some longstanding problems. Nowhere is that prospect for progress more worthy than the crisis in our public education system.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
Special needs in the lecture hall
From the Burlington Free Press
Some things in academia never change, but the big lecture is not one of them. Take Nicole Phelps’ U.S. history survey course at the University of Vermont, where the professor delivers her 50-minute monologue in a kind of 21st-century landscape that was unimaginable a generation ago.
Alternative certification programs placing more teachers in classrooms
From the Star-Telegram
If teaching is a calling that you considered when you made your original career plans, it may not be too late to heed that call. There are three usual paths to becoming a teacher. The first: earn your certificate as an undergraduate majoring in education. But if you’ve already earned a degree in something else, it’s possible to earn a teaching certificate through a university post-baccalaurate program, or by alternative certification.
It's No Secret: Progress Prized In Brownsville
From Education Week
Cromack Elementary School’s progress in helping such students illustrates the strengths of a school district where nearly half of the students are English-language learners, nearly all are from low-income families—and where students in all grades outperform those in similar districts statewide in reading and math. That performance, aided by strong teacher professional development and data-based instruction, are a key reason why the Brownsville district was awarded the prestigious 2008 Broad Prize for Urban Education for being the nation’s most improved urban school district.
Other Announcements
AERA Grants and Fellowship Programs
AERA Grants and Fellowship Programs provide funding to help graduate students and early career scholars develop research skills and conduct studies in education and related fields. Application deadlines for the 2009 competitions are fast approaching! Please follow the links below for more information.
AERA-AIR (A²) Fellows Program
Application deadline: December 15, 2008.
AERA-ETS Fellowship Program in Measurement
Application deadline: December 15, 2008.
· Minority Fellowship Program in Education Research
Application deadline: December 15, 2008.
· AERA Grants Program
The next application deadlines are August 29, 2008; January 7, 2009; and March 6, 2009.
From the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is accepting applications to serve on committees responsible for reviewing and revising standards in two areas: English as a New Language and Social Studies-History. To access the online application click here. The application will be available through December 12, 2008, 5:00pm EST.
For assistance or additional information please contact NBPTS at nominations@nbpts.org.
AACTE 61st ANNUAL MEETING & EXHIBITS
February 6 - 9, 2009
Hyatt Regency Chicago - Virtual Tour
Chicago, IL
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Click Here to register for the 61st Annual Meeting & Exhibits. This will lead you through creating an account which you can use for future meetings. If you registered for the Accountability, Accreditation, and Quality Conference, Click Here to use the account you set up when registering for that meeting.
Alyssa J. Mangino
Communications Manager
AACTE
1307 New York Ave., NW Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 478-4596 -Direct
(202) 457-8095 -Fax
amangino@aacte.org
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The Round Table Newsletter
E-Newsletter for December 2, 2008
In this issue:
Today! Roundtable Experts Assess Legal Outlook for Faith-Based Initiatives
Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community Organization Eligibility
Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories
An update from the Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy, an independent research project
of the Rockefeller Institute of Government. The public policy research arm of the State University of New York.
Today! Roundtable Experts Assess Legal Outlook for Faith-Based Initiatives
Due in part to the policies set and the rule changes advanced by the Bush Administration, President-elect
Barack Obama will confront a new legal landscape in which to forward his proposed Council on Faith-Based
and Neighborhood Partnerships. At a Roundtable event today, Professors Ira C. Lupu and Robert W. Tuttle,
constitutional law experts who have closely watched the federal Faith-Based and Community Initiative, will
offer their insights about the changes that have been wrought over the last eight years and the key questions
that remain going forward. They will also look at significant legal developments of 2008, including those
affecting taxpayers' rights to sue over church-state violations, faith-based prison programs, and public support
for structures where religious activities take place. The event accompanies the release of their final "State of
the Law" report, a publication that has become a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the legal
environment in which the Faith-Based and Community Initiative has progressed.
Professors Lupu and Tuttle will present their findings at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW,
Washington, D.C. at 9 a.m. on December 2. Attendance is free.
Click here for a news release about the report.
Click here for the report.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weekly Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community
Organization Eligibility
The grant opportunities this week for community and faith-based organizations are through programs
administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Potential applicants should be aware that some grant programs require specific technical expertise, or
experience in particular foreign countries.
Click here for the grants digest.
Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories
Faith Leaders Urge Global Solidarity Against HIV
Christian Post
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9172
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Faith-Based Group, Charity Begins At Home
theday.com (Connecticut)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9173
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program Answers Call Of Needy; First Call Brings Donors Together With Requesters
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9174
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N.O. Home Loan Program Slowly Builds; Mortgages Can Be Forgiven For Some
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9175
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clergy Brace For Downturn in Giving
The Boston Globe
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9176
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Economy Needs Radical Change, WCC Declares
The Christian Post
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9177
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Through Community Support And Resources, Program Helps People Get Back On Their Feet
The Beaufort Gazette (South Carolina)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9178
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Greater Need--Sour Economy Strains Agencies Helping Poor, Homeless
Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9179
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clinic Gives Patients Something to Smile About
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9180
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House Of Hope--Bridge Restoration Ministry In Pacific Grove Mends Lives Ruined By Drugs
Monterey County Herald (California)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9181
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program Helps Turn Many Lives Around; Gathering To Display Its Mission, Successes
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9182
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coming Together In a Crisis;
Faith-Based Coalition Is Pushing For a Treasury Policy That Prevents More Foreclosures
The Washington Post
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9183
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
106-Year Mission Could End; Agency Running Low On Money
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9184
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charities Can't Keep Up With Spreading Poverty
Los Angeles Times
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9185
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ministries Try To Feed, Help Growing Multitude
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9186
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thankful For Getting 'Back To Whole'
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9187
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Praying For a Financial Miracle; Economic Woes Test Faith of North Jerseyans
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9188
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockingham County Residents Get Into The Spirit Of The Season By Volunteering
The Reidsville Review (North Carolina)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9189
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grateful For A Special Meal
Tucson Citizen (Arizona)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9190
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Full Table Among Scarcity
York Daily Record (Pennsylvania)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9191
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faith-Based Program Leads Former Drug Abuser on Better Path
dailycomet.com (Louisiana)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9192
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faith-Based Push Adoption Effort Gets Phenomenal Results
The Denver Post
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9193
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World Hunger & US AID
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9194
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharing With Those in Need
Tampa Tribune (Florida)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9195
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Against Riptide of Homelessness, Aid Groups Offer Buoys of Hope
The Philadelphia Daily News
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9196
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Churches Urge Politicians to Act in Postville
Quad-city Times (Davenport, Iowa)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9197
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Making Dinner for 20,000
Orlando Sentinel (Florida)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9198
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds Will Target Foreclosed Prince William Homes
The Associated Press State & Local Wire
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9199
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outreach Renews a Call to Stem Violence
The Boston Globe
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9200
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Despite Downturn, Rescue Mission Flush With New Bathroom Facilities
The Bakersfield Californian
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9201
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boys Taken Off Ranch; Ministry to Protest Beating, Torture Allegations Probed
Birmingham News (Alabama)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9202
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ike Aftermath; Feeling Forgotten
The Houston Chronicle
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9203
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food Banks Can't Meet Growing Demand
USA TODAY
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9204
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the Season, Need Greater Than Ever
The Charlotte Sun (North Carolina)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9205
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manna Seeks Permits for Family Shelter
Bangor Daily News (Maine)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9206
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faith-Based Community Takes Step Forward
gazette.com (Colorado Springs)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9207
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weekly Opinion Roundup - 12/2/2008
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_12_2_08.cfm
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy promotes informed debate on the issue of publicly funded faith-based social service. Supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Roundtable provides independent, non-partisan research on the scope and scale of faith-based social services, their effectiveness, how public resources are being used in providing such services, and the legal and regulatory issues involved. The Roundtable's comprehensive web site makes this research and related information easily available. It can be accessed by clicking here:
The Roundtable
411 State Street
Albany, New York 12203 518-443-5014
To be removed from the weekly Roundtable E-Newsletter, please send a message to rndtbl@rockinst.org with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
Click here to go to The Roundtable homepage.
HOMEPAGE | NEWS | EVENTS | INTERVIEWS | LEGAL | PUBLICATIONS | RESEARCH PROJECTS
In this issue:
Today! Roundtable Experts Assess Legal Outlook for Faith-Based Initiatives
Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community Organization Eligibility
Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories
An update from the Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy, an independent research project
of the Rockefeller Institute of Government. The public policy research arm of the State University of New York.
Today! Roundtable Experts Assess Legal Outlook for Faith-Based Initiatives
Due in part to the policies set and the rule changes advanced by the Bush Administration, President-elect
Barack Obama will confront a new legal landscape in which to forward his proposed Council on Faith-Based
and Neighborhood Partnerships. At a Roundtable event today, Professors Ira C. Lupu and Robert W. Tuttle,
constitutional law experts who have closely watched the federal Faith-Based and Community Initiative, will
offer their insights about the changes that have been wrought over the last eight years and the key questions
that remain going forward. They will also look at significant legal developments of 2008, including those
affecting taxpayers' rights to sue over church-state violations, faith-based prison programs, and public support
for structures where religious activities take place. The event accompanies the release of their final "State of
the Law" report, a publication that has become a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the legal
environment in which the Faith-Based and Community Initiative has progressed.
Professors Lupu and Tuttle will present their findings at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW,
Washington, D.C. at 9 a.m. on December 2. Attendance is free.
Click here for a news release about the report.
Click here for the report.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weekly Digest of Federal Grants with Faith-Based and Community
Organization Eligibility
The grant opportunities this week for community and faith-based organizations are through programs
administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Potential applicants should be aware that some grant programs require specific technical expertise, or
experience in particular foreign countries.
Click here for the grants digest.
Roundtable Digest of Current Faith-Based News Stories
Faith Leaders Urge Global Solidarity Against HIV
Christian Post
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9172
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Faith-Based Group, Charity Begins At Home
theday.com (Connecticut)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9173
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program Answers Call Of Needy; First Call Brings Donors Together With Requesters
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9174
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N.O. Home Loan Program Slowly Builds; Mortgages Can Be Forgiven For Some
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9175
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clergy Brace For Downturn in Giving
The Boston Globe
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9176
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Economy Needs Radical Change, WCC Declares
The Christian Post
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9177
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Through Community Support And Resources, Program Helps People Get Back On Their Feet
The Beaufort Gazette (South Carolina)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9178
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Greater Need--Sour Economy Strains Agencies Helping Poor, Homeless
Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9179
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clinic Gives Patients Something to Smile About
Corpus Christi Caller-Times
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9180
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House Of Hope--Bridge Restoration Ministry In Pacific Grove Mends Lives Ruined By Drugs
Monterey County Herald (California)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9181
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program Helps Turn Many Lives Around; Gathering To Display Its Mission, Successes
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9182
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coming Together In a Crisis;
Faith-Based Coalition Is Pushing For a Treasury Policy That Prevents More Foreclosures
The Washington Post
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9183
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
106-Year Mission Could End; Agency Running Low On Money
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9184
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charities Can't Keep Up With Spreading Poverty
Los Angeles Times
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9185
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ministries Try To Feed, Help Growing Multitude
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9186
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thankful For Getting 'Back To Whole'
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9187
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Praying For a Financial Miracle; Economic Woes Test Faith of North Jerseyans
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9188
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rockingham County Residents Get Into The Spirit Of The Season By Volunteering
The Reidsville Review (North Carolina)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9189
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grateful For A Special Meal
Tucson Citizen (Arizona)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9190
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Full Table Among Scarcity
York Daily Record (Pennsylvania)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9191
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faith-Based Program Leads Former Drug Abuser on Better Path
dailycomet.com (Louisiana)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9192
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faith-Based Push Adoption Effort Gets Phenomenal Results
The Denver Post
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9193
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World Hunger & US AID
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9194
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sharing With Those in Need
Tampa Tribune (Florida)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9195
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Against Riptide of Homelessness, Aid Groups Offer Buoys of Hope
The Philadelphia Daily News
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9196
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Churches Urge Politicians to Act in Postville
Quad-city Times (Davenport, Iowa)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9197
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Making Dinner for 20,000
Orlando Sentinel (Florida)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9198
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funds Will Target Foreclosed Prince William Homes
The Associated Press State & Local Wire
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9199
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outreach Renews a Call to Stem Violence
The Boston Globe
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9200
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Despite Downturn, Rescue Mission Flush With New Bathroom Facilities
The Bakersfield Californian
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9201
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boys Taken Off Ranch; Ministry to Protest Beating, Torture Allegations Probed
Birmingham News (Alabama)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9202
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ike Aftermath; Feeling Forgotten
The Houston Chronicle
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9203
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food Banks Can't Meet Growing Demand
USA TODAY
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9204
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the Season, Need Greater Than Ever
The Charlotte Sun (North Carolina)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9205
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manna Seeks Permits for Family Shelter
Bangor Daily News (Maine)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9206
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faith-Based Community Takes Step Forward
gazette.com (Colorado Springs)
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/article.cfm?id=9207
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weekly Opinion Roundup - 12/2/2008
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy
http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/news/news_opinion_12_2_08.cfm
The Roundtable on Religion and Social Welfare Policy promotes informed debate on the issue of publicly funded faith-based social service. Supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Roundtable provides independent, non-partisan research on the scope and scale of faith-based social services, their effectiveness, how public resources are being used in providing such services, and the legal and regulatory issues involved. The Roundtable's comprehensive web site makes this research and related information easily available. It can be accessed by clicking here:
The Roundtable
411 State Street
Albany, New York 12203 518-443-5014
To be removed from the weekly Roundtable E-Newsletter, please send a message to rndtbl@rockinst.org with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
Click here to go to The Roundtable homepage.
HOMEPAGE | NEWS | EVENTS | INTERVIEWS | LEGAL | PUBLICATIONS | RESEARCH PROJECTS
Monday, December 1, 2008
North Dakota Senate -- Democratic Caucus News
The Newsletter of the
ND Senate
NPL/DEM Caucus
November 30, 2008 Organization Session
The first caucus meeting of the 2009 Legislative session was held at the Comfort Inn in Bismarck. Twenty senators, several guests, and the media were in attendance. One senator participated by phone. The first order of business was election of leadership. The results were as follows:
Minority Leader – Senator David O’Connell
Assistant Minority Leader – Senator Carolyn Nelson
Caucus Chair – Senator John Warner
Social Caucus Chair – Senator JoNell Bakke
David Strauss, ND NPL/DEM Party Chair visited with the Caucus about the November election and the poll results. It appears to be a status quo election.
Minority Leader Senator David O’Connell announced committee assignments:
Employment – Senator John Warner, Senator Joan Heckaman
Inguaration Committee – Senator Carolyn Nelson
Parking – Senator Art Behm
Rules – Senator Tom Fiebiger, Senator Connie Triplett, Senator Mac Schneider
Delayed Bills – Senator Tim Mathern, Senator Tracy Potter
Journal – Senator Jim Pomeroy
Room Assignment – Senator JoNell Bakke
Committee on Committees – Senator Ryan Taylor, Senator Arden Anderson
Upcoming Events for your calendar:
Monday, December 1
3:00–6:00 Open House – Great River Energy – 1611 East Century Avenue
5:00- Thank you Reception by Earl Pomeroy - Elks
5:30– “Welcome and Get Acquainted Party” Radisson Hotel Buffet Dinner
5:30 – Governor’s Choice Awards for Economic Development Dinner – Ramkota
Tuesday, December 2
4:30 – Farm Credit Reception at the Doublewood
5:30–7:00 University of North Dakota Reception – Radisson Hotel
6:00 – ND Association of Telecommunication Dinner - Ramkota
Wednesday, December 3
Nothing at this time
Upcoming Caucus Meetings
December 1st 2:00 Fort Lincoln Room
Pinning Ceremony
December 2nd 2:15 Fort Lincoln Room
December 3rd 8:40 Fort Lincoln Room
ND Senate
NPL/DEM Caucus
November 30, 2008 Organization Session
The first caucus meeting of the 2009 Legislative session was held at the Comfort Inn in Bismarck. Twenty senators, several guests, and the media were in attendance. One senator participated by phone. The first order of business was election of leadership. The results were as follows:
Minority Leader – Senator David O’Connell
Assistant Minority Leader – Senator Carolyn Nelson
Caucus Chair – Senator John Warner
Social Caucus Chair – Senator JoNell Bakke
David Strauss, ND NPL/DEM Party Chair visited with the Caucus about the November election and the poll results. It appears to be a status quo election.
Minority Leader Senator David O’Connell announced committee assignments:
Employment – Senator John Warner, Senator Joan Heckaman
Inguaration Committee – Senator Carolyn Nelson
Parking – Senator Art Behm
Rules – Senator Tom Fiebiger, Senator Connie Triplett, Senator Mac Schneider
Delayed Bills – Senator Tim Mathern, Senator Tracy Potter
Journal – Senator Jim Pomeroy
Room Assignment – Senator JoNell Bakke
Committee on Committees – Senator Ryan Taylor, Senator Arden Anderson
Upcoming Events for your calendar:
Monday, December 1
3:00–6:00 Open House – Great River Energy – 1611 East Century Avenue
5:00- Thank you Reception by Earl Pomeroy - Elks
5:30– “Welcome and Get Acquainted Party” Radisson Hotel Buffet Dinner
5:30 – Governor’s Choice Awards for Economic Development Dinner – Ramkota
Tuesday, December 2
4:30 – Farm Credit Reception at the Doublewood
5:30–7:00 University of North Dakota Reception – Radisson Hotel
6:00 – ND Association of Telecommunication Dinner - Ramkota
Wednesday, December 3
Nothing at this time
Upcoming Caucus Meetings
December 1st 2:00 Fort Lincoln Room
Pinning Ceremony
December 2nd 2:15 Fort Lincoln Room
December 3rd 8:40 Fort Lincoln Room
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