• Scott County has set aside $114,138 for a new Mental Health Jail Diversion program that will serve as an alternative to police or hospital intervention in responding to situations involving the emotionally disturbed. The Mental Health Jail Diversion team's focus is on a person admitted to the jail - under the complete jurisdiction of the court system - who is experiencing mental-health difficulties. In collaboration with Vera French Community Mental Health Center, all persons - except those incarcerated on felony charges - are evaluated to determine whether they are eligible for the jail-diversion program. The team works with the court to release people with mental-health problems; follow through to locate housing, clothing, and medication; and connect them with agencies for further assistance.
• Community Housing Solutions, a not-for-profit corporation, has been created by Rock Island Housing Authority. In accordance with the federal Department of Housing & Urban Development, Rock Island Housing Authority is reducing its dependence on federal subsidies by becoming more entrepreneurial and economically self-sufficient. Community Housing Solutions will act as a vehicle to meet the broad base of housing needs on both a regional and national basis through diversified funding, consulting services, and partnerships. Funds generated by the corporation will be invested in the development of additional affordable and market-rate rental and home-ownership housing opportunities within the community for current and future residents.
• StoptheDrugWar.org notes that the FBI has reported that the number of arrests for violations of marijuana laws hit an all-time high of 755,186 in 2003. The number of people arrested on marijuana charges last year exceeds the number arrested for violent crimes by more than 150,000. With only a couple of hiccups, the number of people arrested on marijuana charges has trended steadily upward in the past decade. The previous peak of 735,500 was recorded in 2000, with 724,000 arrested in 2001 and 697,000 in 2002. The number of those arrested for marijuana is more than the population of South Dakota (754,844) or San Francisco (751,682). As has been the case in past years, the vast majority of marijuana arrests - roughly 88 percent - were for simple possession. Arrests for marijuana offenses represented 45 percent of all drug arrests. To read the FBI's 2003 Uniform Crime Report, look at (http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/03cius.htm).
• The Family Museum of Arts & Science in Bettendorf will be sharing a $2.3-million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) with six of its museum colleagues to continue the Traveling Exhibits at Museums of Science (TEAMS) project, developing and designing four new science exhibitions. This grant represents the third NSF-funded project for the TEAMS collaboration, and the Family Museum has been involved in the second and current rounds. The latest TEAMS project begins this fall and will continue over a four-year period. The first phase of TEAMS will focus on research on how exhibits stimulate learning.
• Prime Cuts 2004 is published by Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), a government watchdog group with more than a million members and supporters. Prime Cuts 2004 makes 592 recommendations that, if enacted, would save taxpayers $217 billion in fiscal 2005 and $1.65 trillion over the next five years. For example, the Department of Health & Human Services could save almost $15 billion by reducing spending for Medicare administration. Eliminating the current contract for the Defense Travel System and re-soliciting the contract to the private sector would save $245 million over five years. Prime Cuts can be browsed at CAGW's Web site: (http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=reports_primecuts).
• Rick's House of Hope, a center for grieving and traumatized children, is seeking volunteers to work with children and adolescents who have experienced the death of a loved one or other losses such as divorce or serious illness. Volunteers will be trained on how to provide a safe and supportive environment for children who are dealing with traumatic issues. Volunteers act as mentors to grieving children and also help facilitate support groups. Volunteers are also needed to assist with hospitality and clerical needs. Orientation classes for new volunteers will be held Thursday, November 11, from 5 to 9 p.m., and Tuesday, November 16, from 5 to 9 p.m., at Rick's House of Hope, 4867 Forest Grove Drive, Bettendorf. Prospective volunteers must attend the entire orientation, and also must pass a criminal background check before being accepted into the program. For more information about volunteer opportunities at Rick's House of Hope, contact the Reverend Robyn Plocher at (563)324-9580 or the Spiritual Care Department at Genesis Medical Center, (563)421-7970.
• Scott County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States & Canada for Scott County's current Fiscal Year 2005 budget. Scott County is one of only two Iowa counties (Linn is the other) to hold the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The county has received this award for 15 consecutive years. Only 11 of the 1,488 governmental units in the State of Iowa currently hold this honor. To receive the award, Scott County had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.
• Community Housing Solutions, a not-for-profit corporation, has been created by Rock Island Housing Authority. In accordance with the federal Department of Housing & Urban Development, Rock Island Housing Authority is reducing its dependence on federal subsidies by becoming more entrepreneurial and economically self-sufficient. Community Housing Solutions will act as a vehicle to meet the broad base of housing needs on both a regional and national basis through diversified funding, consulting services, and partnerships. Funds generated by the corporation will be invested in the development of additional affordable and market-rate rental and home-ownership housing opportunities within the community for current and future residents.
• StoptheDrugWar.org notes that the FBI has reported that the number of arrests for violations of marijuana laws hit an all-time high of 755,186 in 2003. The number of people arrested on marijuana charges last year exceeds the number arrested for violent crimes by more than 150,000. With only a couple of hiccups, the number of people arrested on marijuana charges has trended steadily upward in the past decade. The previous peak of 735,500 was recorded in 2000, with 724,000 arrested in 2001 and 697,000 in 2002. The number of those arrested for marijuana is more than the population of South Dakota (754,844) or San Francisco (751,682). As has been the case in past years, the vast majority of marijuana arrests - roughly 88 percent - were for simple possession. Arrests for marijuana offenses represented 45 percent of all drug arrests. To read the FBI's 2003 Uniform Crime Report, look at (http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/03cius.htm).
• The Family Museum of Arts & Science in Bettendorf will be sharing a $2.3-million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) with six of its museum colleagues to continue the Traveling Exhibits at Museums of Science (TEAMS) project, developing and designing four new science exhibitions. This grant represents the third NSF-funded project for the TEAMS collaboration, and the Family Museum has been involved in the second and current rounds. The latest TEAMS project begins this fall and will continue over a four-year period. The first phase of TEAMS will focus on research on how exhibits stimulate learning.
• Prime Cuts 2004 is published by Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), a government watchdog group with more than a million members and supporters. Prime Cuts 2004 makes 592 recommendations that, if enacted, would save taxpayers $217 billion in fiscal 2005 and $1.65 trillion over the next five years. For example, the Department of Health & Human Services could save almost $15 billion by reducing spending for Medicare administration. Eliminating the current contract for the Defense Travel System and re-soliciting the contract to the private sector would save $245 million over five years. Prime Cuts can be browsed at CAGW's Web site: (http://www.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=reports_primecuts).
• Rick's House of Hope, a center for grieving and traumatized children, is seeking volunteers to work with children and adolescents who have experienced the death of a loved one or other losses such as divorce or serious illness. Volunteers will be trained on how to provide a safe and supportive environment for children who are dealing with traumatic issues. Volunteers act as mentors to grieving children and also help facilitate support groups. Volunteers are also needed to assist with hospitality and clerical needs. Orientation classes for new volunteers will be held Thursday, November 11, from 5 to 9 p.m., and Tuesday, November 16, from 5 to 9 p.m., at Rick's House of Hope, 4867 Forest Grove Drive, Bettendorf. Prospective volunteers must attend the entire orientation, and also must pass a criminal background check before being accepted into the program. For more information about volunteer opportunities at Rick's House of Hope, contact the Reverend Robyn Plocher at (563)324-9580 or the Spiritual Care Department at Genesis Medical Center, (563)421-7970.
• Scott County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States & Canada for Scott County's current Fiscal Year 2005 budget. Scott County is one of only two Iowa counties (Linn is the other) to hold the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The county has received this award for 15 consecutive years. Only 11 of the 1,488 governmental units in the State of Iowa currently hold this honor. To receive the award, Scott County had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.
