Youth and Education
DWD’s Gassman urges more high school math, science
Blyden student and principal honored by Who’s Who
Madison--In an address at the University of Wisconsin-Madison today, Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman said Governor Jim Doyle's proposal for a third year of math and science in high school is essential in preparing the workers of tomorrow for successful careers in a high-tech global economy.
"All students will benefit from greater proficiency in math and science, whether they continue their education in college or technical school, or enter the job market right after high school," Secretary Gassman said.
"The days of low skill, high wage jobs are long gone. Such emerging industries as biotechnology, nanotechnology, and advanced manufacturing demand greater skills, and all of us will benefit by having a first-rate workforce able to compete, succeed, and sustain our economic growth."
Secretary Gassman delivered welcoming remarks at the Virtual Symposium on Nanotechnology and Biotechnology.
The UW-Madison Office of Education Outreach sponsored the symposium at the Pyle Center, and about 100 K-12 math and science teachers from across the state took part, many of them over the Internet.
"Another year of math and science will better prepare our students to analyze, problem solve, and work more efficiently, creatively, whatever their career," Secretary Gassman said.
Vets eligible for free tuition starting in fall
by Jolene K. Keller
Getting a college degree will become even more affordable for Wisconsin veterans starting in fall 2007.
Eligible veteran will be entitled to a 100% waiver of tuition and fees at any University of Wisconsin system or Wisconsin Technical College system school through the Wisconsin GI Bill.
That includes UWM, where the Military Education Benefits Office in the Department of Financial Aid is gering up for an influx of new applications.
"The Wisconsin GI Bill will definitely make it easir for veterans to go back to school," says Karen Malone, associate administrative program specialist. Currently, UWM enrolls about 600 veterans, but anticipates that will increase substantially.
"We’re pretty sure we will get a lot of phone calls from students looking to start their education at UWM next fall," says Malone.
UWM established the Military Education Benefits Office last year as the number of students requesting benefits increased. The Wisconsin GI Bill, enacted in 2005, offered a 50% tuition waiver in 2005 and 2006, which encouraged more veterans to return to school.
The office works with the military on all aspects of education benefits, both federal and state. The staff works with veterans to get their education benefits started and makes sure they continue to receive those benefits while they’re in school.
The military education benefits are incorporated into the students’ overall financial aid awards.
The Wisconsin GI Bill covers tuition for up to eight full-time semesters, or 128 credits, whichever is greater.
To be eligible, the veteran must have been a Wisconsin resident at the time of active duty, fulfill character of service and active duty services requirements, and reside in Wisconsin.
The veteran may attend college full time or part time. Under the bill, there are no limits on income levels, programs of study or length of time since the veteran left the military.
Malone reports that UWM has had applications from Vietnam-era veterans as well as more recent Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans.
Dependents of veterans who died in the line of duty or are more than 30% disabled because of service injuries will also be entitled to the 100% percent remission of tuition. Dependents include spouses, surviving spouses who haven’t remarried and children between the ages of 18 and 25 (qualifying children must remain enrolled full time).
Spouses are eligible for the waiver for the normal 128 credits or eight semesters, but only for 10 years after the veteran’s date of disability.
The Wisconsin GI Bill is a state program, separate from the federal Veterans Affairs Montgomery GI Bill, according to Malone. She notes that veterans have many financial aid opportunities in addition to Wisconsin GI Bill benefits.
All veterans are strong urged to take advantage of these opportunities by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Applications for the Wisconsin GI Bill benefits must be submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and to the school they plan to attend.
For summer sessions, applications should be submitted as soon as possible and preferably before the semester begins.
For additional information, call the Military Education Benefits Office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 229-6627, e-mail vets@uwm.edu or visit www4.uwm.edu/financialaid/FinancialAid/Options/military.html.
More information on the Wisconsin GI Bill, including an application packet, can be found at the website for the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, dva.state.wi.us/ben_education.asp#TuitionGrant.
Human Trafficking--training available for service providers, help available for victims
Wisconsin--Human trafficking continues to concern Wisconsin officials. Professionals working in the areas of law enforcement, healthcare and social service delivery will participate in a comprehensive training scheduled for May 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Milwaukee Police Academy, 6680 North Teutonia Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Presenters will include representatives from the U.S. Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services and training will be conducted by Heartland Alliance of Chicago.
Service providers who would like to attend, should contact Practical Strategies, Inc. at 262.334.1821 or reply to info@practical-strategies.net.
The Milwaukee Police Department has made combating human trafficking a priority. Over 80 member non-governmental organizations of the Greater Milwaukee Area Rescue & Restore Coalition have partnered with a law enforcement task force headed by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southeastern District of Wisconsin to address the problem of human trafficking.
"We are proud to be a partner in this collaborative effort with Federal, State and local agencies. This type of multi-disciplinary partnership is necessary to identify and stop human trafficking.
To that end, the Milwaukee Police Department, in cooperation with partner agencies, is committed to investigating alleged human trafficking. Victims will be referred to appropriate partners for assistance relative to residency status, health, and welfare. We are excited about the partnerships that have developed with the Rescue & Restore Coalition," said Captain Timothy Burkee, Milwaukee Police Department.
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. Victims of human trafficking are young children, teenagers, men and women. Approximately 800,000 to 900,000 victims annually are trafficked across international borders world wide, and between 14,500 and 17,500 of those victims are trafficked into the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of State. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor.
The Rescue and Restore Coalition has been active in the Milwaukee area since 2003. Wisconsin organizations that would like to join this effort should contact Practical Strategies, Inc. 262-334-1821 or info@practical-strategies.net. For additional information about the Rescue & Restore program, please visit: www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking.
Have Questions About HIV or other STDs? Call the IRC!
by Angie Clark
Manager, Information and Referral Center--AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW)
Angie Clark is the manager for the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) Information and Referral Center (IRC). As an information specialist in the fight against HIV and AIDS, Angie provides general information on the prevention, spread and treatment of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and Hepatitis. She is supported by a team of dedicated and sensitive staff and volunteers.
Angie has been asked to tell us more about the IRC and how people can get any question they have about HIV and AIDS answered with the most current and correct information available.
Question 1: What is the Information and Referral Center?
The IRC is a walk-in library, toll-free 24-hour telephone hotline and an Internet resource.
People can use the IRC by visiting it at 820 N. Plankinton Ave. in downtown Milwaukee from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 am to 5 p.m. on Fridays.
Individuals with questions about HIV or other STDs can also call the toll-free hotline 24-hours a day to ask any question they may have or to request information by mail when they call 1-800-334-2437.
The IRC also provides general information about HIV/AIDS and STDs on the Internet.
People with Internet access can visit the IRC online by going to www.irc-wisconsin.org.
Question 2: What items and information are available from the IRC?
If you are wondering if you are at-risk for getting HIV, the IRC is a great place to call or visit for information.
If you are at-risk for contracting HIV and would like to schedule a free, anonymous HIV test, you can do so by contacting the IRC at 1-800-334-2437 or by stopping by it's downtown Milwaukee location.
If you are newly diagnosed with HIV, or are new to the Milwaukee area and are HIV-positive, you can call or visit the IRC to find services in your area including health care providers and clinics. The IRC also has information on HIV and AIDS medications.
If you have a family member or a loved one who has HIV, the IRC can provide you with a lot of great information on HIV and how you can be a supportive family member or friend.
In addition to information for people who are HIV-positive and their friends and family, the IRC also has current and accurate information on how to prevent the spread of HIV, and has information on Hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted diseases - including where to get tested.
Question 3: Who should get tested for HIV?
HIV testing is one of the most important things anyone can do to help prevent the spread of HIV. Anyone who fits into one or more of the following categories should get tested:
o You have had unprotected sex (sex without a condom).
o You have shared needles for injection drug use, tattooing, or body piercing.
o You have had several sex partners.
o You have had a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
o You have had unprotected sex with someone who has HIV.
Question 4: Where can I go to get my HIV test?
There are a number of places in Milwaukee that offer free and anonymous HIV testing, including the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin as well as many public health clinics and doctor's offices. If you would like to schedule a test or want to find a testing location near you, please call the IRC at 1-800-334-2437.
Question 5: What other information is available at the IRC?
In addition to information on AIDS and HIV testing, the IRC also provides people living with HIV information on where they can go for medical and support services, such as the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin or Milwaukee Health Services.
Information on Hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted diseases--including testing locations - is also available through the IRC.
Summerfest and African World Festival to produce "A Gospel Celebration" For Second Year
Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. and Afroworld Enterprises, Ltd. have announced a cooperative initiative to stage and produce the second annual gospel and faith-based extravaganza entitled, "A Gospel Celebration," to be held at Summerfest on Sunday, July 1 and July 8 with a final event held at African World Festival on Sunday, August 5. The program will again feature a progressive competition of local and regional gospel choirs, all performing for $10,000 in prize money.
The program will celebrate gospel and faith-based music, and benefit area churches that compete. Collectively, "A Gospel Celebration" will feature 10 competing choirs and other performances, including local choirs and national headliner Tye Tribbet and GA, who will perform on July 1 at Summerfest.
"We are thrilled to work with African World Festival again on this very special celebration of gospel music," said Don Smiley, president and chief executive officer of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.
A call for talent is being distributed regionally and is open to all choirs that wish to submit materials. A committee of judges will select 10 qualifiers from all entries. Those qualifying 10 groups, along with other non-competing groups, will be featured at the preliminary competitions at Summerfest on July 1 at the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Stage and Pavilion and on July 8 at Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard.
Four groups will be selected at Summerfest to move on to the finals, which will take place on Sunday, August 5 from 3:30-7:30 p.m. at African World Festival. Special dual-event tickets are available for only $20, and include admission to Summerfest on either Sunday July 1 or Sunday July 8 and admission to African World Festival on Sunday, August 5.s For ticket information, please call 414-372-4567.
The competition is structured so all 10 qualifiers are guaranteed to receive a minimum of $500 each with the four finalists vying for $800 for fourth place, $1,200 for third, $2,000 for second, and $3,000 along with a beautiful traveling trophy for the church choir crowned the Grand Champion. A professional panel of judges will select winners from a defined set of criteria--vocal performance, musical arrangement and artistic creativity, stage presentation and audience response. Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. has provided the $10,000 prize purse for the program. "African World Festival is once again extremely excited to partner with Summerfest to bring Gospel music to the broader community," stated Oshyemi Adelabu, President of African World Festival.
Choirs interested in submitting materials for consideration should send their information, including three musical selections, to "A Gospel Celebration" c/o Summerfest 200 North Harbor Drive Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202. Materials must be received prior to June 8 for consideration. More information regarding the qualifying and performing choirs and program details will be released in mid-June.
Free 20th Annual Family Kite Festival at Veteran’s Park
The 20th annual Family Kite Festival will be held this Saturday, May 26 and Sunday the 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Veteran’s Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront. The Grand Launch of 500 kites will take place at noon on both days. Kites and food for purchase will be available.
Free kites will be given away to the first 100 children that participate in the Children's Hospital, "Kids Mad Dash" who will launch their kites at the same time.
World-renowned professional kite flying teams will perform three times daily. Two super giant octopus kites and a 75 ft. tall Teddy Bear kite will be looming gigantically in the skies.
Stunt kite flyers will also participate. This family event is free to all with free parking. Veterans Park was voted as one of the top 10 places to fly a kite by Kite-Line Magazine.
The intense wind effect is caused by gusting winds from Lake Michigan. For more information call (414) 257-4575.
