FISA Foundation

“Embedded within school discipline policies, dress codes, or codes of conduct are gender and racial biases that manifest in exclusionary punishments that have more to do with who girls are rather than what they do.” Check out this resource from EdTrust and National Women's Law Center that provides decision-makers with a common language and practices that can be used to reform exclusionary discipline policies and improve school climate to help address the needs of girls of color — especially Black girls. https://lnkd.in/ejDgq5YS ACLU of Pennsylvania, Strong Women, Strong Girls, Gwen's Girls

THIS MONTH: Join us for the next Race + Disability Webinar, “Institutionalization 2.0” Overcriminalization of people with disabilities” Date: Thursday, October 24th Time: 2-3:30 PM ET This webinar will explore the issues of criminalization of people with disabilities and highlight strategies for interrupting this pattern and reducing unjust incarceration of people with disabilities. We have an excellent panel of speakers who are working to raise awareness and protect the rights of people with disabilities as they navigate the criminal legal system. You don’t want to miss it! Register today: https://lnkd.in/eQQ3wMtZ The Heinz Endowments The Pittsburgh Foundation Tamara Siegert Spangler, Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Jamelia Morgan, Center for Racial and Disability Justice, Roxanne Zech, HEARD, Lydia X. Z. Brown, J.D., National Disability Institute

Please share this resource with college students: Our grantee Pittsburgh Action Against Rape offers a free, closed processing group for college students who have experienced sexual trauma, every Tuesday from 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM via Zoom. Check out the post below for more information

“For Philanthropy to Succeed, All Strategies Must Address Disability” Check out this great podcast episode from Collective Impact Forum, discussing why disability is central to systems change work across all issues. The podcast features philanthropic leaders Rebecca Cokley from Ford Foundation, Ryan Easterly from WITH Foundation, and Sandy Ho, newly appointed Executive Director Disability & Philanthropy Forum The episode highlights why addressing disability is imperative for all grantmaking to be successful, and how funders can embed disability across all their philanthropic work. Check out the podcast episode and some key takeaways below: https://lnkd.in/g7H_TmZB

Sharing this excellent nonprofit voter engagement toolkit from Jefferson Regional Foundation. The toolkit contains ready-to-use materials to help organizations with voter engagement efforts. Materials include voter engagement email templates for nonprofit constituents and staff, an election guide, posters, pledge cards, and social media posts. Check out the full toolkit here: https://lnkd.in/ez9Epgf4

“Here’s what our schools need to know: We are not as strong as you think we are. We are strong only because we were forced to carry the weight of systemic stereotypes, unresolved trauma and our own emotional needs. That’s why schools need to address the elephant in the room: their lack of mental health support and how it is affecting Black girls.” – Derry Oliver Take time to read this first-person essay on the importance of providing culturally competent mental health services to young Black girls: https://lnkd.in/efA6jYNu

Next week, join Access Mob Pittsburgh for their latest Community Lecture Series event on access to voting!! On September 30 from 6:00-7:30 PM, guest speakers Mallory Hudson and Paul O’Hanlon will explore the personal and political power of people with disabilities as they discuss voting rights, access, and barriers. This is a hybrid event, so people may attend either in person or online. For more information and to register for in-person attendance, please visit the event page here: https://lnkd.in/e-7qZMej

Upcoming Livestream on Disability Data: The U.S. Census Bureau will livestream its upcoming meeting with disability community stakeholders in the DC metro area, Sept. 30 from 10:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET. The event livestream will be available shown on Census Live for public viewing. The purpose of the meeting is to better understand challenges in data availability and access for the disability community based on feedback in response to a Federal Register notice outlining proposed changes to the American Community Survey (ACS). Here is the link to the livestream: https://lnkd.in/dMYYSXs For more information check out: https://lnkd.in/ekSs5f_s

Join our grantee Pennsylvania Health Law Project for their webinar “How to keep medical and disability benefits while working” During this webinar, attendees will learn about Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD), a state-run health insurance program. MAWD provides low-cost coverage to people who are disabled and working. PHLP will review the new category of MAWD, Workers with Job Success (WJS), which allows people on MAWD to earn and save more and still keep their benefits. Register and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eRZtuddN

FISA’s grantee Strong Women, Strong Girls is accepting applications for their Strong Leaders Program! The program provides mentoring supports to the College Chapter Mentors that work with girls in SWSG’s programming. The deadline to apply is September 27th. Apply and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/es8VBJye