TALKING POINTS

for the

NYSP REVITALIZATION ACT OF 2010 – HR 4480

Elected officials work for you.  Your institution of higher education represents a major resource in the district/state of the elected official.  You represent to elected officials the voice of children in your community.  Through sharing your experiences, elected officials become more knowledgeable about community needs.

Revitalizing NYSP helps to address a lot of what is important to Congress and the Administration these days – this program helps to provide some health care to many who receive none, it provides educational opportunities and it helps with what the First Lady talks about in her Childhood Obesity initiative.

Some key points to include in your meetings:

1. NYSP is a model that has worked for 40 years.  It was created by the federal government to help disadvantaged youth at a time when they need it most.  It provides the opportunity for local partnerships with the community, involves parents and guardians and caring staff who in most cases become mentors.  It also utilizes resources and facilities that support learning  . . . college and university campuses.

2. The growth of this program depends heavily on the federal commitment.  Since federal funding was eliminated in 2006, less than 15 percent of institutions have been able to continue to provide the program services to youth. 

3. NYSP is an educational partnership that provides children from low-income communities with a five-week summer program offering sports and academic enrichment at colleges and universities nationwide.  In 2005, 202 colleges and universities served more than 75,000 youth.   Currently, fewer than 7,300 youth are served in programs nationwide. 

4. Locally (use your local program date here), NYSP served XX in 2005 and since that time, ...

5. NYSP is a vital and effective investment in our nation’s youth.  Participants benefit from close contact with caring and dedicated adults and learn about the discipline and self-esteem that organized sports provide.

6. Many participants receive their first education in substance abuse prevention, career instruction and proper nutrition and healthy living through the NYSP education program.

7. Many participants receive perhaps their only comprehensive medical exam through the program.  NYSP staff work with parents and guardians to ensure proper follow-up treatment is provided for previously undiagnosed conditions, such as asthma, heart murmurs, allergies, and vision problems.

8. Participants receive a hot, well-balanced USDA-approved meal each day during the program.  In many cases, this is the only full meal received during the summer days when kids are not benefiting from the school lunch program.

9. NYSP has successfully leveraged federal funding to secure substantial matching community investments.  For every federal dollar, two dollars are provided by the participating colleges, local businesses and other public and private organizations.

10. The Request:

·   To Co-Sponsor the National Youth Sports Program Revitalization Act of 2010 (H.R. 4480) to amend the Community Services Block Grant Act to authorize appropriations for national or regional programs for low income youth through 2021.

·   To contact Clifton Williams in the Office of the Honorable Marcia Fudge (OH-11) to sign on as a co-sponsor.

·   If applicable, to visit NYSP at your site this summer.

11. Leave any local materials/information for review.

12. Record the name of person you met with and the result of the meeting. 

13. Email (rtaylor@NYSPFoundation.org), call or text (803-466-4691) me with an update of your effort.