Mike's Notebook

  • Improving Community College Student Success by Preventing Unplanned Pregnancy
    Nov 18, 2009  - Yesterday, I joined Margaret Rose Henry, Assistant Dean of Student Services at Delaware Technical and Community College's Wilmington Campus and a Delaware State Senator, for an event in Washington: Improving Community College Student Success by Preventing Unplanned Pregnancy, hosted by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and Child Trends.  Community colleges, like Del-Tech, are taking action to help students focus on their education and avoid the additional responsibility of an unplanned pregnancy.

    Dean Henry was a panelist and highlighted the work Del-Tech and Christiana Care are doing with a grant from the National Campaign-- to increase awareness among students and faculty about the consequences of unplanned pregnancy, and to provide free or low-cost counseling, referral, and medical services at an onsite clinic.

    I am a co-chair of the Community College Caucus and the Congressional Advisory Panel to the National Campaign.

    For further reading:    www.thenationalcampaign.org; www.thenationalcampaign.org/fund/Award_CommunityColleges.pdf
  • Delaware Works! A Career, Skills, and Networking Expo
    Oct 29, 2009  - Please join me on Monday, November 2, at Delaware Works!, a career, skills, and networking expo that will bring together a wide array of local employers and representatives from job training programs, as well as Delaware Secretary of Labor John McMahon to help Delawareans understand what job, career building, workforce training, and networking opportunities are available throughout the State in this challenging economy.

    Anyone is welcome to attend. If you are interested in organizing a booth at the expo, please contact Todd Perkins at 302-428-1902.

    Professional attire is suggested. Bring plenty of resumes.

    When:
    Monday, November 2, 2009
    10:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Where:
    Delaware Technical and Community College
    Stanton Campus Conference Center

    Who:
    Rep. Mike Castle, Delaware's Congressman
    Hon. John McMahon, Delaware's Secretary of Labor

    Participants:

    Local Employers
    • Access Group
    • Aflac
    • Amazon.com
    • Amtrak
    • Bank of America
    • Barclays
    • Beebe Medical Center
    • Christiana Care
    • Delaware State Police
    • Delaware River and Bay Authority
    • EZanga
    • JP Morgan Chase
    • Pepco/Delmarva Power
    • Rockwell Associates
    • Sallie Mae
    • Vanguard

    Job Training & Assistance
    • Advanced Staffing
    • Barton Career Advisors
    • Community Matters (Social Networking)
    • Delaware SHRM
    • Delaware Small Business Association
    • Delaware State University
    • Delaware SBDC
    • Delaware Technical and Community College
    • Delaware Vocational Rehab
    • The Food Bank of Delaware
    • Goodwill
    • Jobs for Delaware Graduates
    • Right Management
    • University of Delaware
    • Wilmington University
    • YWCA
  • Establishing October as "National Work and Family Month"
    Oct 15, 2009  - I joined my colleagues in the House of Representatives to support House Resolution 768 which designates October as "National Work and Family Month."  Many studies have been published that show that people are generally happier, and more productive, when they have the opportunity to spend time with their family.  Furthermore, it has been shown that it is better for a child to have his / her parents around as role models, not only to help provide a better education and upbringing, but also because it helps prevent violence and bad behavior.

    While being a part of the workforce today is as important as ever, given the current economic climate, it is equally important that parents are also a part of their child's life.  This balance is the simplest way to have a truly positive impact on a child's life, by providing the example of a parent who works hard, yet values time with his / her family.  Therefore, it is important for employees and employers to work together to find agreeable schedules that allow for necessary time off to be spent with one's family.

    Family and work are two responsibilities few of us can afford to give up, and for that reason, we must find the right balance to allow the most productivity in the workforce and the most quality time with our families as possible.  I am proud to have supported this resolution, and am truly hopeful that by bringing awareness to this issue, we improve the lives of families across the nation.
  • The Violence Against Women Act-- Celebrating 15 Years
    Sep 16, 2009  - I was proud to stand with my colleagues in the House, this week, to recognize the 15th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Originally passed in 1994 with my support, VAWA has made great strides in reducing crime against women, including the reduction in the number of assaults and rapes throughout our nation.  Furthermore, subsequent reauthorizations of VAWA have included more legal protections and resources for victims of domestic violence while importantly helping state law enforcement to adopt strategies for domestic violence situations.

    If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse or violence, or you are recovering from an assault there is immediate support available.

    National Resources

    --Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
    --The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
    --You can also visit the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline.

    Local Resources

    --Delaware - CONTACT Delaware, Inc
            http://www.contactdelaware.org/
            P.O. Box 9525
            Wilmington, DE 19809
            Toll-free phone number(s): (800) 262-9800 In Kent and Sussex Counties
            Phone number(s):
            (302) 761-9100 in New Castle County or (302) 761-9700 TTY/TDD
    --Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence 
            http://www.dcadv.org/
            100 West 10 th Street, #703
            Wilmington, DE 19801
            Phone: 302-658-2958
            Toll-Free: 1-800-701-0456

    For more information and resources, visit: http://www.womenshealth.gov/violence/

    I consistently support VAWA, and earlier this year sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee advocating for the highest possible funding for these critical programs.

    Furthermore, violence and abuse is a reality that affects all walks of life, everyday.  I recently held a roundtable in Delaware on youth violence prevention where a representative from the domestic violence prevention advocacy community expressed the importance of addressing this issue. I believe it is necessary to take steps to end the cycle of violence by reaching at-risk youth at an early age to prevent the recurrence of abuse later in life.

    I look forward to working in Congress to further protecting our communities.
  • Youth Promise Act, other measures aim for safer learning environments (The Hill)
    Sep 15, 2009  - As the school year begins, we are reminded that our children deserve the best chance at success in the classroom and beyond. Our schools should be safe havens for teaching and learning, free of crime and violence. It is simply unreasonable to think that our kids can learn in an unsafe or threatening environment. Programs that stop the cycle of violence by reaching at-risk youth before they become involved in dangerous activities have been proven to help in many cases.

    Research has shown that 86 percent of public elementary and secondary schools experience criminal incidents. Destructive, demeaning and even violent behavior in schools have become so commonplace that many are desensitized to it, and simply write it off as a normal part childhood. However, intimidation and violence in schools can cause serious problems for students, both academically and socially.

    A recent study found that schoolchildren who torment others, or are victims of bullying themselves, may face higher risks of anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders later in life. Aside from the damaging social effects and embarrassment of school teasing and violence, numerous studies have shown that it is also detrimental to academic achievement. In the U.S., an estimated 160,000 children miss school every day out of fear of attack or intimidation by other students. Bullying is also associated with other violence-related behaviors, including carrying weapons and fighting, and alternatively, for the victims, sustaining injuries from such actions.

    Additionally, violence extends beyond the classroom. As we know, the majority of youth engage in delinquent activities after the school day ends. Quality after-school programs can provide alternatives to at-risk children, keeping them off the street and encouraging their involvement in a variety of educational and enrichment activities.

    At a roundtable on Youth Violence Prevention that I recently hosted at home in Delaware, I learned from teachers, law enforcement, juvenile justice officials, community leaders, and academics about what is working to keep kids safe, both inside and outside of school.

    These leaders agreed that early childhood programs such as Head Start; mentoring programs such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters; after school activities; and community and family involvement are all integral to student success.

    Crime, intimidation or violence in school can impact every state and congressional district, no matter its size, location or socioeconomic status.  In the last school year, 22 violent felonies and 572 cases of bullying were reported to the Delaware Department of Education.

    To address the issue, the state has a bullying prevention law in place.

    At the federal level, Congress has taken important first steps toward reducing school crimes and violence to improve school safety with the enactment of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and the reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) in 2002. I can’t think of a better issue to unite both parties in Congress than one that seeks to protect our children when they are in school. Surely, together we can uncover and advance the best ways to prevent youth violence and encourage school safety.

    The No Child Left Behind Act contains a number of provisions designed to provide states and school districts with resources to address school safety at elementary and secondary schools. This includes the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to provide federal funds to states and school districts to support drug and violence prevention efforts; provisions related to persistently dangerous schools, in which students may transfer to safer schools if they attend a school identified as being persistently dangerous; and the Partnerships in Character Education program, which provides funds to states and school districts to design and implement effective character education programs.

    Additionally, it may help to strengthen the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) to further reduce juvenile crime and rehabilitate young offenders.  By promoting strong prevention and intervention programs, we can keep youth out of the juvenile justice system and reduce crime in the long run.

    Another bill that focuses on prevention is the Youth Promise Act (H.R. 1064), which I introduced with Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.). The Youth Promise Act would fund evidence-based programs and provide communities with the resources to bring together law enforcement, teachers, and community leaders in an effort to prevent youth violence and gang crime. This legislation is gaining momentum on the Hill with 228 cosponsors and I am hopeful that we will have a vote on that bill soon in Congress.

    Although I am pleased with the actions taken by states and Congress to address school safety and youth violence, more can be done to promote and utilize the programs that are working. The crime statistics continue to alarm me and I am hopeful that we will examine this issue further, and ultimately enact policies to keep youth on a positive track. Without our attention, many of our nation’s children will be subject to a cycle of violence and fall through the cracks.