President Obama: It Gets Better

Posted by White House

Recently, several young people have taken their own lives after being bullied for being gay – or perceived as being gay – by their peers. Their deaths are shocking and heartbreaking tragedies. No one should have to endure relentless harassment or tormenting. No one should ever feel so alone or desperate that they feel they have nowhere to turn. We each share a responsibility to protect our young people. And we also have an obligation to set an example of respect and kindness, regardless of our differences.

This is personal to me. When I was a young adult, I faced the jokes and taunting that too many of our youth face today, and I considered suicide as a way out. But I was fortunate. One of my co-workers recognized that I was hurting, and I soon confided in her. She cared enough to push me to seek help. She saved my life. I will always be grateful for her compassion and support – the same compassion and support that so many kids need today.

In the wake of these terrible tragedies, thousands of Americans have come together to share their stories of hope and encouragement for LGBT youth who are struggling as part of the It Gets Better Project. Their messages are simple: no matter how difficult or hopeless life may seem when you’re a young person who’s been tormented by your peers or feels like you don’t fit in: life will get better.

President Obama is committed to ending bullying, harassment and discrimination in all its forms in our schools and communities. That’s why he recorded this message.

Last year, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services joined forces with four other departments to create a federal task force on bullying. In August 2010, the task force staged the first-ever National Bullying Summit, bringing together 150 top state, local, civic, and corporate leaders to begin mapping out a national plan to end bullying. The task force also launched a new website, www.bullyinginfo.org, which brings all the federal resources on bullying together in one place for the first time ever.

If you’re a young person who’s been bullied or harassed by your peers, or you’re a parent or teacher who knows a young person being bullied or harassed, here are a few resources that can help you:

The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LBGTQ youth by providing resources and a nationwide, 24 hour hotline. If you are considering suicide or need help, call: 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386).

BullyingInfo.org
BullyingInfo.org is a project of the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs (IWGYP) focused on providing tools and resources for youth, parents, teachers and mental health providers to prevent and address bullying.

It Gets Better Project
President Obama’s video is just one of thousands of videos submitted by people across the country to inspire and encourage LGBT youth who are struggling. You can watch more videos at ItGetsBetterProject.com.

For even more information and resources visit:

• Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
• Matthew Shepard Foundation
• Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

A transcript of the President’s video is here.

President Obama Signs Executive Order On Education and Hispanics

Posted by White House

En Español.

In a ceremony in the East Room today, President Obama will sign an Executive Order to renew and enhance the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics so that it better serves communities across the country by engaging them in the process of improving the education of Latino students, who represent 1 of every 5 students in our nation’s schools.

The new Executive Order is based on feedback gathered by the Initiative in more than 100 community conversations across the country with experts in education, community leaders from more than 30 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from comments from more than 10,000 Americans on how to develop real solutions to the challenges confronting the Hispanic community in education.

The signing ceremony follows a National Education Summit and Call to Action hosted by the U.S. Department of Education that began on Monday and brought together experts and community leaders from around the country on issues ranging from early childhood learning to higher education.

Watch parties are also being held nationwide. Watch at 1:50 by going to WhiteHouse.gov/live and clicking on the link on the right.

UPDATE: The President has now signed the Executive Order, read it in full, or watch the video and see a photo below:

President Barack Obama looks over to Javier Garcia of Brownsville, Texas, after Garcia introduced him at the signing ceremony for the Executive Order on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans in the East Room of the White House, October 19, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

Getting Ready For Summit Day

Posted by White House

I can’t believe that our Community College summit is right around the corner.

The team here at the White House, along with colleagues at the Department of Education, the Department of Labor and other individuals and groups are working hard to finalize plans for the day. I am so pleased that the lead to the Summit has inspired so many of you to reach out and share the important challenges and opportunities impacting community colleges in your regions. I have reviewed many of the hundreds of comments and ideas that were sent to us via email and through our website – and these important suggestions and comments have helped to shape and inform our Summit agenda and breakout sessions.

I was thrilled to hear from many of you who are planning to host satellite summits and events in your own schools and communities. To support these efforts, we have created a toolkit, available at www.WhiteHouse.gov/CommunityCollege which will help guide your discussions and give you direction on how to send your feedback to us. My staff and I will continue to incorporate your voice into our ongoing work.

I hope this summit shines a light on the millions of students, educators, employers, philanthropists, and other stakeholders who are working together to support community colleges and their students. Our work together will continue long after Tuesday.

What You Missed: Open for Questions on the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative

Posted by White House

Yesterday, the White House Office of Urban Affairs hosted a live chat on the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative to support the transformation of distressed neighborhoods into neighborhoods of opportunity. Larkin Tackett, Department of Education; Luke Tate, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Thomas Abt, Department of Justice; and Richard Frank, Department of Health and Human Services; joined Derek Douglas, White House Domestic Policy Council, to discuss one of the Obama Administration’s signature place-based initiatives to support and revitalize distressed communities.

Here are a few highlights from the discussion:

“We truly believe we need a great school at the center of every great neighborhood,” said Larkin Tackett, Director of Promise Neighborhoods, Department of Education.

“This collaboration is very important. . . public safety is a critical component of neighborhood revitalization. . .without it, kids can’t learn, residents can’t feel safe in their own neighborhoods, and resident health is threatened by drugs and violence,” said Thomas Abt, Chief of Staff, Office of Justice Programs, DOJ.

“Community resources are critical to how people live their lives,” said Richard Frank, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, HHS.

“Choice Neighborhoods broadens our focus...beyond the walls of the development itself to the entire neighborhood,” said Luke Tate, Special Assistant to the Secretary, HUD.

Watch the video of the chat and use the links below to skip directly to questions (questions are paraphrased):

• What other programs, beyond the Promise Neighborhoods Program, are part of White House’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative? What metrics are you using to assess success of the Initiative
• What lessons can be learned by previous failed attempts at "urban renewal" & to what extent can Promise Neighborhoods repair damage & avoid pitfalls?
• How will this new initiative translate housing dollars into neighborhood-wide outcomes?
• Beyond funding matches and leverage, what is the role of philanthropy in this Neighborhood Revitalization strategy?
• How is the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative not throwing dollars at the problem?
• How does the Harlem Children’s Zone model which is based on a long-term connection with a neighborhood, apply to communities that need to see short term results. How will this initiative balance short-term and long-term programs and goals?
• How do we build capacity at the local and regional level to combat the social challenges that the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative attempts to address?
• How can small amounts of grant money, or a seed grant of $500,000 leading to fundamental change in the fabric of American society spur fundamental change?
• If a Promise Neighborhood applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements for the Promise Neighborhood planning grant, will the next stage of funding be re-opened for additional applicants?
• When you revitalize communities what impact does that have on the existing residents in those communities. How does the Neighborhood Revitalization initiative plan to balance the inevitable rise in rents and property values with the financial means of existing residents?
• How are the White House Office of Urban Affairs, the Domestic Policy Council, and the Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships participating in the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative?
• How do NRI programs ensure that resources go to the community?
• Will the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative engage subject-matter experts that can contribute to successful outcomes?
• What is the priority structure for cities that have some of the most challenging metrics, and zip codes that suffer from severe economic distress?

Open for Questions: Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative

Posted by White House

Tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. EDT, the White House Office of Urban Affairs is hosting a live chat on the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative to support the transformation of distressed neighborhoods into neighborhoods of opportunity.

Last week, the Department of Education announced a total of $10 million in awards to Promise Neighborhoods, a cornerstone of the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. Tomorrow, join representatives from across agencies for a dialogue on the Promise Neighborhoods Program and the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative.

Join the conversation with Larkin Tackett, Department of Education; Luke Tate, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Thomas Abt, Department of Justice; and Richard Frank, Department of Health and Human Services; moderated by Derek Douglas, White House Domestic Policy Council.

• Submit your questions in advance over at Next American City by 10:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, September 28
• Watch and discuss the live chat on WhiteHouse.gov and Facebook on Tuesday, September 28 at 3:00 p.m. EDT

Learn more about the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative:

• "Transforming Distressed Neighborhoods into Neighborhoods of Opportunity," posted by Melody Barnes
• Full description of the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative
• Promise Neighborhood Awards Announcement

Helping New Orleans Rebuild Its Schools

Posted by White House

Five years ago, Hurricane Katrina destroyed schools throughout New Orleans. Since then, the state and city have worked together to make the city’s schools a model for school reform. New Orleans schools have made remarkable progress. They have been an inspiration to those of us who are working to provide a world-class education to all of America’s children.

Despite the progress, New Orleans still has a lot of work to do. More than 100 school buildings were devastated by the floods of Katrina. The city still needs to replace, rebuild and rehabilitate buildings that were destroyed by the floods. Working together, state and city leaders have produced a master plan to will rebuild and renovate its schools.

Today, I joined Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano in announcing more than $1.8 billion in federal funds to support the rebuilding of New Orleans’ schools. This money will support the city in building the excellent learning environments that the children of New Orleans deserve.

In addition, the Department of Education continues to support schools throughout the Gulf Coast that suffered damage from Katrina and other hurricanes. Our staff is preparing to award $12 million in grants from the Gulf Coast Recovery Initiative. These grants will help districts replace instructional materials, renovate and repair schools buildings, and support afterschool and other initiatives to provide extended learning.

Over the past five years, the Department has provided nearly $2 billion for schools in the Gulf Coast region. The money helped schools re-open immediately after the hurricanes and supported schools that enrolled students displaced by the hurricanes. It also provided the $7 million to Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Mississippi to pay for mental health assessments for students, substitute teachers, and emergency transportation, and other needs shortly after the hurricanes hit the Gulf Coast.

Five years later, New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast are still recovering. President Obama and I are committed to doing our part to provide the students there with the world-class education they deserve.