For the NORD Commission to be successful it will need a strong commitment from the community to make sure all citizens of New Orleans – young and old – have access to safe playgrounds, accessible green space, neighborhood pools, and the highest quality programming. Spread the word about this wonderful opportunity for community engagement and plan to attend!

NORD Commission Meeting
Tuesday, 1/11/2011, 6pm
New Orleans City Council Chambers
City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70112

The 2011 City budget hearings are now in progress at the New Orleans City Council and offer the opportunity to demonstrate how funding priorities to children and families have a crucial role in economic development in our city.  On Tuesday, October 26th, the Afterschool Partnership was present to hear the Children & Families budget presentations from representatives of Community Development, Recreation, Health, Libraries, Job1, and Human Services.

In 2011, the Recreation Department proposes to double its budget to $10,000,000 to fund increased services for youth including additional recreational programs, cultural programs and summer and teen camps.  Funding includes $8,002,700 in general funds and a $940,552 allocation from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) specifically for 30 summer camp sites.  The Recreation Department plans to include over 40 new staff positions to provide additional services under the new budget.

At the hearing, Gina Warner spoke in support of the budget increases on behalf of community- and faith-based organizations to highlight the importance of strengthening collaborations between Recreation and the existing network of organizations already providing high-quality summer programs in many of our communities.

Louisiana needs your help in ensuring that the 21st CCCL funding will be maintained or increased in the 2011 federal budget, as well as protect the ability of community-based organizations to be direct grant recipients of these important community-school partnerships. For the November session, you can help by calling two of our Congressional members who sit on Appropriations Committees: Senator Mary Landrieu is a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education and Congressman Rodney Alexander is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Education. Both will be involved in deciding the 2011 federal budget – and 21st CCLC – over the next few weeks, so please call today!

Senator Mary Landrieu (202) 224-5824
Congressman Rodney Alexander (202) 225-8490

When you call, you may speak to your senator or representative, or one of their staff members. Every call counts! For that reason, it is important to let the person you talk to know who you are (21st CCLC provider, parent, and/or interested party), where you live in Louisiana, why you are calling and what issue you are calling about. Providers, don’t forget to ask your parents to call – they are your biggest supporters for 21st CCLC afterschool!

And what happens when a divided Congress convenes in January? Afterschool and summer programs has received strong bipartisan support from members of Congress in the past who understand the important role these programs have in keeping children safe, helping working families and providing additional learning supports. However, when or if Congress begins to work on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization next year, any number of proposed changes can impact afterschool programs across Louisiana. While much is uncertain right now, the new Republican majority in the House may support changes to several key legislative priorities in education programs. For that reason, it will be important to continue reaching out to Louisiana’s Congressional delegation to foster their support for 21st CCLC and afterschool.

• Youth Voice Video: NORD Reform
• Mayor Mitch Landrieu
• Visit www.nordcap.org to hear support messages from Deuce McAllister, Rev. Samson ‘Skip’ Alexander, Philip Manuel, and Stephanie Jordan.

Organizational supporters of NORD Reform include New Orleans City Business and the Bureau of Governmental Research and local individuals Deuce McAllister, Rev. Samson ‘Skip’ Alexander, Philip Manual, Stephanie Jordan, and Mayor Mitch Landrieu!

• Replace the Department of Recreation, transferring its duties and responsibilities to the new Commission.

• Redefine the functions of the Department of Parks and Parkways, bringing its recreation services only under the control of the Commission, and

• Provide for the composition, powers, duties, functions, and administration of the Commission.

The Charter change is the first step in realizing the vision of the NORD Citizens Advisory Panel (NORD CAP) designed to enhance recreational services. The creation of the commission would

• Insure transparent and efficient operation of recreation services,

• Increase community confidence in the recreation delivery unit by creating an independent body that could operate without political interference,

• Provide for the development of increased resources for recreational services by establishing a partnership with the private sector to fundraise and develop resources.

The proposed Commission consists of thirteen members and would be known as the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission.  The specific composition of the Commission is not included in the Charter Amendment.  The City Council will act on the composition of the Commission through Council Ordinance after the October vote and the precise make-up will take into account input received from the community and stakeholders.   The new head of the department, hired and/or fired by the commission, would be the single point of accountability concerning all decisions.  The Director will be hired through a comprehensive and transparent national search process once the Commission is seated.  Additionally, the director will coordinate with a partnering fundraising organization to nurture and support booster clubs at every playground and for every team as well as raise additional private funds to supplement public sector dollars.

Please plan to join us on Wednesday, Sept. 22^nd to hear from Councilman Fielkow and NORD CAP leaders about how the proposed charter change will support efforts to bring a high-quality recreation experience to every child in New Orleans.  The meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. at 4319 Carondelet Street.

• What is Proactive Advocacy? A Manual describing Five Proactive Advocacy Strategies that are cost-effective and with a little preparation, can easily be incorporated into your organization’s strategic plan.
• The Five Strategies include:
  • Promote Your Afterschool Program;
  • Collaborations with Partners,
  • Creating Partnerships with Schools, and
  • Engaging in Legislative Issues.

The toolkit is available at the link above and in our Resources, Funding & Advocacy section.

The Louisiana Department of Education recently released an addendum to the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Request for Proposals for programs operating from January 2010 through December 2012. The revised RFP supports the Department’s dedication to expanding quality afterschool programs throughout the state. More information about the revisions can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/np52oc

We are very proud of Dara and excited about the ways her involvement will support the New Orleans community.