National Depression Screening Day = October 6, 2011

Held annually during Mental Illness Awareness Week in October, NDSD raises awareness and screens people for depression and related mood and anxiety disorders.

NDSD is the nation’s oldest voluntary, community-based screening program that provides referral information for treatment. More than half a million people each year have been screened for depression since 1991.

Components of NDSD include:

• Online mental health screening.
• Take a sample screening
• See what the online screening looks like
• For more information on screening
• In-person screening kits and educational materials:
• Community Kit
• Older Adult “FeelGoodBingo” Kit
• Downloadable Kit.
• Learn more about program offerings or register online.

8/23 U.S. Senate Committee on Aging Field Hearing on Elder Abuse - Hartford

The United States Senate Committee on Aging will be conducting a field hearing on elderly abuse in Connecticut on Tuesday August 23, 2011 at 10:00AM.

The hearing will occur at the Legislative Office Building on 300 Capitol Avenue in Hartford CT.

Senator Richard Blumenthal invites individuals who have been victims of abuse to share their stories at this field hearing.

If you are aware of anyone, please forward the information to Joe Rodriguez, Research Aide and Outreach Organizer; Senator Richard Blumenthal’s office; 30 Lewis Street, Suite 101; Hartford 860-258-6940 and mention the Field Hearing on Elder Abuse.

Questions can also be directed to Mr. Rodriguez.

Civics and Citizenship Toolkit

Just in case anyone missed it on the Welcome listserv.

USCIS is working to notify all immigrant-serving organizations of the Civics and Citizenship Toolkit, a free resource with materials for ESL, civics, and citizenship classes and programs. We are proud to announce that we have distributed almost 9,000 Toolkits since launching the new version in May. Please distribute the below message, or the attached flier, to community organizations that assist immigrants aspiring to become U.S. citizens.

Civics and Citizenship Toolkit
USCIS offers a free Civics and Citizenship Toolkit to community organizations that assist immigrants aspiring to become U.S. citizens. The toolkit provides educational materials that focus on both naturalization and civics. Here is the list of eligible organizations and link to register for a Toolkit. Interested individuals or organizations that do not qualify to receive a free toolkit may purchase a copy from the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) Online Bookstore. For additional citizenship information and educational materials, be sure to visit the Citizenship Resource Center.

Computers for Learning Program

The Computers for Learning Program (CFL) permits Federal agencies to transfer excess computers and related peripheral equipment directly to schools and some educational nonprofits. The CFL program specifically matches the computer needs of schools and educational nonprofit organization with excess equipment in Federal agencies. http://computersforlearning.gov/

Schools and educational nonprofit organizations do not pay for the equipment they receive but are responsible for the shipping, handling costs, and any refurbishing costs.

8/18 TechSoup webinar: Free Windows 7 Curriculum: Basic Computer Training at Your Library or Nonprofit

Free Windows 7 Curriculum: Basic Computer Training at Your Library or Nonprofit
When: Thursday, August 18, 2011 - 11:00 - 12:00PM (Pacific time)
Online Registration

Struggling to provide jargon-free, basic computer training for an adult audience? The My PC Series offers free online curriculum. This TechSoup webinar features My PC program manager Todd Watts, and includes background on using Windows 7 and Windows Live Essentials to teach basic computer and photo-editing skills.

LEF (the Literacy Empowerment Foundation) Books’ Matching Book Grant Program recently increased the size of the matching grants available to schools. Any amount purchased from $100.00 to $20,000.00 will be matched.

Guided Reading Collections consist of 6 copies each of 24 titles (144 books total). Independent Reading Collections consist of one copy each of 144 titles. With each set of Guided Reading and/or Independent Reading Collections purchased at the regular price, an additional set of your choice will be included free of charge.

Offer expires September 30th, 2011.

8/11 TechSoup Webinar: Microsoft Donation Program: Get Your Questions Answered

Microsoft Donation Program: Get Your Questions Answered
When: Thursday, August 11, 2011 - 10:00 - 11:00AM (Pacific time)
Online Registration

This TechSoup webinar will give a broad overview of the donation program, explain who is eligible, the procurement process, and the benefits that are included. There will be additional open question time as this webinar will focus on you and your questions.