C.L.I.C.K. for Justice and Equality is an agent of communication alerting our social community of injustices and inequalities among the socially disadvantaged and disenfranchised individual. C.L.I.C.K. developed and created this website to assist the socially disenfranchised or disadvantaged individual in litigating their issues in Federal and State courts.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Toolkit for SCA Reentry Demonstration Grant Applicants





Justice Center
March 13, 2009
Toolkit for Second Chance Act Reentry Demonstration Project Grant Applicants 

The Council of State Governments Justice Center has developed a toolkit for state and local governments and Indian tribes interested in responding to the solicitation for state and local reentry demonstration projects released on February 27, 2009, by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice.  The toolkit, developed with support from the Public Welfare Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Joyce Foundation, and Open Society Institute, includes materials that can help potential applicants think through the questions asked in the solicitation and design or enhance their reentry initiative.  Those that are currently available are:

  1. A checklist that will help state and local governments and Indian tribes meet  application requirements under Section 101 of the Second Chance Act (PDF) NOTE: The checklist is intended solely to assist applicants for state and local reentry demonstration project grants. A fact sheet on the grants for nonprofit organizations and Indian tribes for mentoring and other transitional services is available here.

  2. A resource guide listing publications, reports, and tools that may be helpful in developing a successful reentry initiative (PDF)

Additional resources are forthcoming.

The toolkit is not part of the grant solicitation.  Potential applicants should carefully read the BJA solicitation, which describes forms that must be completed and all criteria that must be met to be eligible for Section 101 demonstration grant funding.  The toolkit materials, as well as other reentry resources and information on the Second Chance Act, are available on the Reentry Policy Council website. 

The Justice Center will hold a webinar to help potential applicants understand the BJA solicitation for state and local reentry demonstration projects and get the most out of the resources in the toolkit.  The webinar will be held on March 19, 2009, at 2 P.M. Eastern Time.  The webinar is free, but only the first 1,000 people to register will be able to participate.  Click here to register for the webinar.  The webinar presentation, including audio, will be posted on the Reentry Policy Council website after March 19. 

 

 
Coming Soon: Second Chance Act Grants for Youth Reentry Demonstration Projects and Nonprofit Organizations

The solicitation released by BJA on February 27 requests applications from state and local governments and Indian tribes for reentry demonstration projects that focus on adult populations only.  The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice, is expected to release a solicitation soon for demonstration projects targeting youth populations under Section 101 of the Second Chance Act.  The Bureau of Justice Assistance is also expected to release the solicitation for grants to nonprofit organizations and Indian tribes for mentoring and other transitional services authorized by Section 211 of the Second Chance Act soon.  A fact sheet about the Section 211 grants is available here.

To be notified when these solicitations are released and new Justice Center resources become available, subscribe to the Reentry Policy Council listserv.

 

 
FY09 Omnibus Includes $25 Million for Second Chance Act Programs in Fiscal Year 2009

On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed into law an omnibus appropriations bill for the remainder of fiscal year 2009 that provides $25 million for Second Chance Act programs, including $15 million for state and local reentry demonstration projects and $10 million for grants to nonprofit organizations for mentoring and other transitional services. 

Congress will now turn its attention to appropriations for FY2010, which actually begins on October 1, 2009.  In the preliminary budget for FY2010 released in February, President Obama requested $109 million for prisoner reentry programs, including $75 million for Second Chance Act programs.  A national reentry working group is leading the effort to secure funding for the Second Chance Act for FY2010. The working group is circulating a sign-on letter asking Congress to provide at least $75 million for Second Chance Act programs in FY2010.

"We have all worked so hard to get this legislation passed, but we know it will not accomplish what it is intended to do without sufficient funding. We must encourage policy makers to appropriate the needed funds," said working group member Jane Browning of the International Community Corrections Association. According to fellow working group member Gene Guerrero of the Open Society Policy Center, "it is important for organizations that support the Second Chance Act and federal funding for reentry programs to sign this letter of support."

Organizations that want to sign the letters should email scainfo@csg.org by Monday, March 16


The Council of State Governments Justice Center is a national nonprofit organization that serves policymakers at the local, state, and federal levels from all branches of government. It provides practical, nonpartisan advice and consensus-driven strategies—informed by available evidence—to increase public safety and strengthen communities.


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Media Matters Daily Summary




Media Matters for America
Here are today's news items from Media Matters for America, click on the title or 'read more' to read the entirety of each story.
Blitzer let Fleischer falsely claim Obama has a "proposal to eliminate deductions" for charitable donations
CNN's Wolf Blitzer did not challenge Ari Fleischer's false claim that President Obama has a "proposal to eliminate deductions" for charitable donations and housing-related expenses. In fact, Obama's fiscal year 2010 budget proposal includes a provision to reduce to 28 percent the rate at which families earning more than $250,000 a year can take deductions for charitable donations, housing-related expenses, and other itemized deductions. Read More
CNBC's Kernen, Bartiromo falsely claimed Obama promised to eliminate earmarks
CNBC's Joe Kernen falsely claimed that President Obama "promised ... no more earmarks," while colleague Maria Bartiromo similarly asserted that "during the campaign, [Obama] said he would eliminate" earmarks. In fact, Obama promised to reform the earmark process and cut wasteful spending, not eliminate earmarks altogether. Read More
Wash. Post contradicts prior reporting in purporting to contrast Clinton and Bush U.S. attorney dismissals
Contradicting its own prior reporting, The Washington Post asserted that when Bill Clinton "took office, he fired all U.S. attorneys at once," while George W. Bush "took a different approach, slowly releasing several of the prosecutors." But the Post previously reported that "Bush and ... Clinton each dismissed nearly all U.S. attorneys upon taking office." Indeed, Bush moved to replace almost all of Clinton's U.S. attorneys within the first five months of his term in office, according to a 2001 Justice Department press release. Read More
AP headline said "Christians optimistic but disappointed in Obama," but report was about conservative Christians
The New York Times published an AP report on its website with the AP's headline, "Christians optimistic but disappointed in Obama." In fact, the report stated that "[c]onservative evangelical and Catholic leaders" and "some right-leaning Christian leaders" -- not Christians in general -- were "expressing feelings ranging from disappointment to optimism in their reaction to the president's decisions so far." Read More
CNN's Willis falsely claimed "household net worth ... dropped by almost 18 percent since last year"
On American Morning, Gerri Willis falsely claimed that "household net worth, according to the Federal Reserve, down almost 18 percent since last year." In fact, household net worth decreased by 18 percent in 2008 -- not 2009. Read More
In puff piece on Newsmax, Forbes.com quoted Dick Morris without noting he writes for Newsmax
A Forbes.com profile of Newsmax and its co-founder, Christopher Ruddy, quoted Dick Morris praising Newsmax without noting Morris' affiliation with the outlet. The profile also omitted key information on Ruddy, including his history of promoting unfounded conspiracy theories about the 1993 death of deputy White House counsel Vince Foster. Read More
Fox News illustrates segments on serious issue of crime in Mexico with footage of bikini-clad women
Fox News has once again engaged in its longstanding practice of airing gratuitous footage of scantily clad women -- this time in its coverage of the grim issue of drug cartel-related violence in Mexico. In segments raising the question of whether Mexico is no longer safe for college spring break trips -- a proposition challenged by some guests -- footage of young women in bikinis aired on Hannity, On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, and The O'Reilly Factor. Read More
You can help support our work; become a volunteer media monitor, or donate to Media Matters for America.
 

WalMart Pharmacy: Are you getting the right prescriptions?

March 13, 2009

Mr. Lee Scott, President & CEO
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
702 SW 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611

Mr. Scott:

I, Fred Nance Jr., write this letter in behalf of my wife, xxxxxxx xxxxxx-Nance. In August of 2008 my wife had her Thyroid glands removed. She was given a prescription for Levoxyl from Dr. David Sarne with specific instructions written on the prescription reporting that this medication should not be substituted. Your Wal-Mart Store pharmacy located at 16771 Torrence Ave., Lansing, Illinois, 60438, substituted this medication for the generic a called Levothyroxin.

On March 12, 2009, at approximately 1:00 pm (CST), when I took my wife’s prescription in to this Wal-Mart Pharmacy your manager Zuwena Shamver caught the mistake when she was entering the present prescription into your system. Ms. Shamver informed me that it was written on the prescription not to substitute. This is the first time Ms. Shamver took our prescriptions. Ms. Shamver informed me she would call Dr. Sarne to see if this medication can be substituted.

On March 12, 2009 Dr. Sarne called our home informing me he received a call from the Wal-Mart pharmacy about this prescription. Dr. Sarne informed me that his prescription was specific, and that it should not have been substituted for a generic brand. Dr. Sarne stated that my wife needed to take the name-brand prescription of Levoxyl because of her particular surgery and loss of the Thyroid glands.

On March 13, 2009 I went to this Wal-Mart Store to pick up our prescriptions. I arrived at 1:05 pm (CST). The pharmacy opening, lunch time and closing times are posted in the pharmacy area for customers to view. The posted lunch time is 1:30 pm (CST). The Hispanic female pharmacy worker, Ms. Allanna waited on me (I may have the name spelled wrong). This pharmacy worker informed me that my wife’s medication (Levoxyl) was not filled. I informed her that I brought this prescription in on March 12, 2009 at 1:00 pm (CST), and that Ms. Shamver informed me that it would ready on March 12, 2009.

The Hispanic female pharmacy worker said she would check to see what the status was on wife’s medication. She informed me that the medication was ordered and that I would have to come back later. I informed her that this response was unacceptable. I asked to speak to the manager. She informed me the manager was not working today. She informed me that she would look to see if it came in with the stock today. She returned telling me that it was in but I would have to come back around 3:00 pm (CST) because it was lunch time, and they would not be putting the stock up until that time. I informed her that it was 1:10 pm (CST) and that the pharmacy sign says lunch is 1:30 pm (CST). She looked at me. I asked her for the corporate office address and phone number. She gave me Mr. John Alex Sangueza’s business card and wrote 1-800-Walmart and Ms. Shamver’s name on the back on the card. I left the store.

As I thought about this incident, I went back in the store. It was 1:18 pm (CST). I talked to the pharmacist on duty. I think his name is Hiram Anderson. I asked Mr. Anderson for a copy of the prescription I gave Ms. Shamver on March 12, 2009. Mr. Anderson told me that it was lunch time. I informed him that his sign says 1:30 pm (CST), and that it was 1:20 pm. I informed Mr. Anderson of the above. Mr. Anderson told me that I should think about apologizing if I am wrong about the prescription stating “no substitute.” I said, What!!!

Mr. Anderson asked the white female pharmacy worker to get me a copy of the prescription. The white pharmacy worker looked for my wife’s medication. She found the medication in a box that was right next to her. She filled the prescription for my wife’s medication. She was about to give me the medication when Mr. Anderson told her to get me a copy of the prescription first. The white female pharmacy worker gave me a copy of the prescription. The Hispanic female processed my payment for my wife’s medication. The Hispanic female gave me my wife’s medication.

When I was leaving the counter a white female customer was trying to talk to the Hispanic female about her prescription(s). The Hispanic female started walking to the door, ignored her and closed the door behind, signifying that the pharmacy was closed. This is the daily operation of this pharmacy. I have threatened to write you many times, but your manager Zuwena Shamver has been so polite and courteous addressing my issues that I have not written. If not for Ms. Shamver I would have written you long ago. Mr. Anderson has always had a “stand-off” attitude whenever I addressed an issue.

Sir, what are you going to do about my issue, specifically, my wife receiving a generic medication when the prescription reports no substitute? It appears that Wal-Mart promotes such a low-price for prescription medications that the “generic” option is “best practice” for Wal-Mart. Please prove me wrong on this statement. On the customer relations issue, I do not believe in throwing the baby out with the bathwater. This lack of appropriate “customer service” behavior is a training issue. I need to get a written response from you.

Respectfully submitted,


Fred Nance Jr.

cc: Ms. Zuwena Shamver
http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/
http://click.townhall.com/
http://clickforjusticeandequality.wordpress.com/
http://www.frednance.newsvine.com/

Copy of prescription dated March 11, 2009 attached.

Illinois Fair Housing Initiative

Illinois Fair Housing Initiative: "Many have questioned why minorities appear to be over-represented in the subprime lending market. Studies reveal that even in upper-income African-American neighborhoods one is one-and-a-half times as likely to have a subprime loan than persons in low-income white neighborhoods. In neighborhoods where Hispanics comprise at least 80 percent of the population, they were 1.5 times as likely than the nation as a whole to have a subprime mortgage loan."

Crain's Daily News Alert prepared for Top Executives



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TOP HEADLINES Friday, March 13, 2009

· Chicago-area unemployment rate hits 8.2%

· Boeing CEO McNerney gets higher salary, lower bonus

· Taxes heading higher: Gov Quinn

· Allstate consolidating small-biz offices

· Metra may have to borrow trains for Olympics

· Sara Lee considering sale of European household biz

· Chicago 2016 picks new Olympics bid motto

· Boeing 777 gets OK from Euro regulator

· Sidley Austin lays off 89 lawyers

· 10 things to do this weekend 

· State budget hole deepens to $11.5 billion: Hinz blog

· Mr. Smith comes to Chicago for swanky signing: Taking Names blog

· Hawks freeze ticket prices; round up: Biz of Sports blog 

Final Markets

Dow Jones

7,223.98

+53.92

+0.75%

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1,431.50

+5.40

+0.38%

Crain's Index

55.56

+0.21

+0.379%

» View Other Top Headlines

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Ron Magers of WLS-TV/Channel 7 again was the emcee for the Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards Dinner. The event raised $750,000 for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. See the photos.Read More


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Blitzer let Fleischer falsely claim Obama has a "proposal to eliminate deductions" for charitable donations

Media Matters - Blitzer let Fleischer falsely claim Obama has a "proposal to eliminate deductions" for charitable donations

CNN's Wolf Blitzer did not challenge Ari Fleischer's false claim that President Obama has a "proposal to eliminate deductions" for charitable donations and housing-related expenses. In fact, Obama's fiscal year 2010 budget proposal includes a provision to reduce to 28 percent the rate at which families earning more than $250,000 a year can take deductions for charitable donations, housing-related expenses, and other itemized deductions.