The Standing Committee on Health and Human Services, chaired by Beaumont Mayor David W. Moore met on January 19 during the 69th Annual Winter Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors held in Washington, D.C. The Mayors discussed several pressing issues for Mayors and cities including child health and welfare and early childhood learning. The mayors heard from Raina Fishbane, Senior Intergovernmental Associate for the Children's Defense Fund who briefly outlined the "Leave No Child Behind Act," a bill that contains several provisions intended to improve child health and welfare including the creation of a new child's health insurance program similar to the federal Medicare program, the expansion of early childhood development programs, assistance to low-wage working families, nutritional support, expanded access to affordable housing, and gun safety measures. Ms. Fishbane stressed that mayors can assist by supporting the legislation, actively implementing its provisions locally, and attending "Wednesday in Washington" meetings where they will meet with congressional members and staff on issues concerning the bill. Eden Prairie (MN) Mayor Jean Harris said that mayors "should support the Act wholeheartedly" because it recognizes that children's health and welfare are interrelated with many other factors and it addresses longstanding barriers between health, social services, and employment.

Charlotte Brantley, Associate Commissioner for the Administration for Children and Families, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the availability of new local funding through a new program-the Early Learning Opportunities Act-which makes $20 million available to local communities for developing, operating, or enhancing voluntary early learning programs. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to local councils, which will consist of representatives of local agencies, parents, community leaders, and other stakeholders. Ms. Brantley noted that a Request for Applications (RFA) will be published in the Federal Register in the next few weeks concerning these funds. She estimates that 10-20 grants will be made nationwide and invites interested mayors to apply. Continue to check the website usmayors.org for further updates on funding availability.

Mayor Moore announced that with breast and prostate cancer initiatives successfully underway, the Conference has undertaken a more comprehensive Cancer Awareness Program, following the lead of several mayors. The Mayors' Campaign Against Breast Cancer and the Mayors' Coalition for Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education will continue as discrete initiatives within the broader Cancer Awareness Program which, like the breast and prostate cancer projects, emphasizes meeting the needs of the underserved. The Conference conducts all its cancer awareness undertakings with the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through a five-year cooperative agreement.