A new report warns that cuts in state funding in recent years and the looming threat of additional trimming at the federal and state levels is creating “a national crisis” around the provision of mental health services.

Home foreclosures may be grabbing the headlines, but an even more disconcerting housing concern is worsening. The number of units available to extremely low-income renters is shrinking.

(This post was written by Andrew Brownstein, one of Thompson’s federal education policy editors, and originally appeared on Title I-Derland, Thompson's blog on federal K-12 policy.) We know that Title I’s longstanding supplement-not-supplant (SNS) provision is good for auditors, monitors, lawyers, accountants and a bevy of mid-level bureaucrats. But is it good for kids?

Spring cleaning has begun, and it’s starting at the virtual firehouse first.  This Friday the website for firefighter grants will move to a new online home. Starting April 1, the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program will be at www.fema.gov/firegrants.

(This guest post was written by Erika Fitzpatrick) In its fitful approach to funding the federal government through the second half of FY 2011 — and avoiding a government shutdown — Congress has passed a number of continuing resolutions that, for the most part, temporarily extended program funding at fiscal year 2010 levels as lawmakers worked out plans for the remaining months of the fiscal year.

(This post was written by Andrew Brownstein, one of Thompson’s federal education policy editors, and originally appeared on Title I-Derland, Thompson's blog on federal K-12 policy.) When it comes to “supplanting,” the problem is that states and districts are required to apply a test akin to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s famous comment about pornography: “I know it when I see it.”

In tight economic times, the differences between rural and urban communities can seem more pronounced and communities can feel like they are engaged in a battle to ensure that their needs receive priority.

As a parent, one of my biggest fears is that I’ll someday have to make use of the number that everyone should have programmed into their cell phones: 1-800-222-1222.  Actually, I just programmed it into my cell phone.  Have you?  Go ahead – I’ll wait.

(This guest post was written by Glenda O’Neal, a grantwriting consultant, founder of a new website for grantwriters, www.Grant-Writing-Proposals.com,  and a member of Thompson Publishing’s Editorial Advisory Board. ) For many years, the federal government’s approach to grant making was based upon a “seed money” concept. Using that approach, the federal government helped local organizations start programs by providing funding for a few years – initially making a significant grant, then gradually reducing the federal share of funding while increasing the local portion.

Just like snowflakes, every grant is different. Each has its own specific terms and conditions designed to fit that particular award. Because the same holds true for subgrants and subcontracts, grantees should avoid trying force a standard agreement for each of its subrecipients.