A statewide approach to keeping warm this winter.  Click on this article link  about the Massachusetts United Way’s joining together in an effort during this economic crisis to help people during this winter.

 pic by arimoore

While many organizations will say their not in the housing business, everyone is effected by the need to afford a place to live within their income.  The perfect solution is for nonprofits to own or build property that they can use for multiple individuals of various income levels.  This will protect the organization from being restricted to a single use if one funding source becomes unavailable.

However, the mixing of funding, financing and revenues are at times a blessing to accomplish the housing initiative needed at the time and receiving wider support. This is where scattered site development can be the best solution.  Take a vary of sites both adjoining and not adjoining to build an economy of scale set of housing.

My bias is for housing units fully handicapped by using universal design.  This allows for the life cycle of a person or family to evolve without the barriers that age or health may present later.   The use of universal design provides the opportunity for a property to be more readily used for assisted living and other disabled populations at any time.

You might ask how can I or the organization I work for be part of the solution when there is no interest in being involved in housing.   Work to build an angle for the organization to be a member of working in the community to be part of the housing solution. You have resources within the organization that is called employee.  Start with your employees and listen to them.

photo by quapan and nedrichards

When considering affordable Childcare one must include after school programs.  In every state there is a lack of enough programs to cover the need.  The key to success is a balance between private pay and government sponsored families.  To help you build your business plan I have identified those sites that will benefit your efforts to create this business.

Census Bureau Link

Administration of Children and Families, Child Care Bureau Link

Child Care and Early Education Research Connections Link

National Network for Child Care Link

 photo by mrkathika

The defining of a quality of life for a child and increasing the child’s ability of obtaining all government benefits is best served by creating special needs trusts.

Recently, it has been shown that the intended person is not always benefiting from the trusts fully due to high fees or reluctance to spend money on behalf of the named beneficiary.  It is important to for consumers to obtain flat fees and to designate in writing their intention of how the money should be used.  The nonprofit community is a prime organization to partner with for-profits to delivery the service or should create the service line themselves.

 photo by rachaelvoorhees

1.    Turn letterhead from color to black
2.    Do two sided copies
3.    Cut back on number of days the office is cleaned
4.    Use the US Postal Service instead of FedEx or UPS
5.    Reuse file folders.  Folding it to use the opposite side or using a label is cheaper than a new one.

by xeeliz

‘‘Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008’’moves insurance to provide mental health services coverage on pare as health care services. This will soon provide an opportunity to focus on building service systems to ensure that mental health services are available.  There is a shortage of mental health professionals.

Subtitle B—Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and
Addiction Equity Act of 2008
Sec. 511. Short title.
Sec. 512. Mental health parity.

page 310

art by chrysti

How is your nest egg doing?

Wondering what a 401(k) actually is? Need to explain it to your employees? Here’s a quick article that will help you brush up on the basics of 401(k) plans.

What is a 401(k)?
A 401(k) plan is a special type of savings account that is offered only through employers. This account allows you to defer part of your salary today, for future use in retirement. Best of all, you can invest your 401(k) dollars so they can potentially grow.  With a 401(k) plan, you are not taxed on the money you contribute until you begin to take it out at retirement. That means fewer taxes today and more savings for you!

What does a 401(k) mean for me?
For some of you, this may be the ONLY method of saving for retirement, for others, it’s a nice complement to other investments.

401(k) plans offer many benefits that apply to everyone:

*Tax savings - You will pay less in taxes as soon as you start contributing. For example, if you are in the 31% tax bracket, for every $1,000 you put into a 401(k) plan you will pay $310 less in current taxes.

*It’s easy - Your employer automatically deducts 401(k) contributions from your paycheck as directed by you.

*Deferred taxes - Your accumulated 401(k) contributions will not be taxed until you begin to withdraw your money.

Remember, your company’s 401(k) plan is one of the easiest ways to start savings for retirement — take advantage of it!

This article comes to you from The Online 401(k), a provider of 401(k)s for small businesses.

For more information or a free consultation on your 401(k) plan, call John Wasiejko at jwasiejko@theonline401k.com or call us at 415.477.8800 ext 828.

From Chris and his friend Athos.

The Musketeers are people who solve mysteries and fight bad guys.  We drew this because it relates to our story.  You can make characters out of paper, cardboard, even scarp paper.  So you make your own story and forget TV.

From Papa:

Fingerprints, DNA or other attributes are ways to make each person unique in some way.  Imagination, creativity and solutions can be used in positive or negative ways.  The likely success of positive results begins with not being ignorant to differences.  Organizations need to be proactive in the education of its workforce and those they serve about diversity.

Caucasian

African American

Asian

Hispanic

Indian

Together there is nothing that a diverse group can not over come or accomplish. 

Photos by Lumaxart

I am a Christian

I am a Hindu

I am a Muslim

I am a Baptist

I am a Buddhist

I am a Catholic

I am Evangelical

I am Gay

I am who I am from within. 

Diversity means being open to all regardless of what you can not see.   Fear and not understanding is the fuel that feeds the flame of hate and intolerance.  Diversity training is great way to reduce the fear and unknown.