2
DEFENDER | AUGUST 22 | 2013
defendernetwork.com
newstalk
Change Happens! receives health insurance grant Community health centers are preparing to help enroll The Third Ward nonconsumers in coverprofit Change Happens! has age. In addition, been awarded $785,000 in the Department of navigator grants to assist Health and Human Harris County consumers Services has begun with enrolling in health training other indiinsurance marketplaces beviduals who will be ginning this fall, according providing in-person to Congresswoman Sheila assistance, such as Jackson Lee in a news agents and brokers release. Congresswoman Sheila and certified applicaMarketplaces are a Jackson Lee tion counselors.” component of the Affordable Navigators will be trained to Care Act, and are designed to makprovide unbiased information, in a ing buying health coverage easier and culturally competent manner, to conmore affordable. “The navigators will sumers about marketplaces, qualified be a key resource to help many conhealth plans, and public programs such sumers in our communities understand as Medicaid and the Children’s Health their coverage options in the marketInsurance Program. place,” Jackson Lee said. They will also be trained on “There will also be many other adhering to strict security and privacy resources to assist with enrollment. Defender News Services
Board of education seeks input
The State Board of Education is seeking input from educators and community members as it begins to restructure graduation requirements to address recent changes in state law. House Bill 5 (HB5), passed by the Texas Legislature this spring, made substantial changes to the state’s graduation requirements. The new plan requires the state board to make a number of policy decisions, such as
standard, including how to safeguard a consumer’s personal information. “Beginning on October 1, millions of Americans will have brand-new access to affordable private health insurance coverage,” Jackson Lee added. “The new marketplaces will provide individuals and families a choice among various quality private health insurance plans and will also make the coverage affordable through slidingscale premium tax credits.” Change Happens! is formerly known as Families Under Urban & Social Attack. It provides a variety of free programs, including HIV prevention, homeless supportive services, re-entry mentoring and risky behavior prevention for young people. Rev. Leslie Smith is the agency’s founder and executive director. For more information on health insurance marketplaces visit healthcare.gov.
deciding which courses will count as advanced math, English and science courses. The board will hold a public hearing Sept. 17 in Austin to receive input from educators and others about the changing graduation requirements. After the hearing, the Texas Education Agency staff will craft a proposed rule dealing with graduation. A final vote on
UH regents elect officers The University of Houston System Board of Regents recently elected new officers. They are Jarvis V. Hollingsworth, chair; Nandita Venkateswaran Berry, vice chair, and Welcome W. Wilson Jr., secretary. “I am honored that the board of regents showed confidence in my leadership abilities by electing me to serve as chair of the board of this great university Jarvis V. Hollingsworth system,” Hollingsworth said. “This is an exciting opportunity, and I am looking forward to working with my fellow regents and the incredible leadership team led by UHS Chancellor Renu Khator.” An alumnus of the UH Law Center, Hollingsworth was appointed to the board in 2009, and previously served as vice chair and secretary. He is a partner in the Houston office of Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP.
the changes is expected during the board’s Jan. 29-31 meeting. Those who wish to submit comments about the graduation changes can send their comments to sboesupport@tea.state. tx.us through Sept. 10. Updates about the graduation programs will be posted on tea.state.tx.us/ graduation.aspx.
localbriefs CANDIATES FOR MAYOR participated in a recent forum sponsored by the Baptist Minister’s Association of Houston and Vicinity. Attending were Mayor Annise Parker and challengers Don Cook, Eric Dick, Ben Hall and Victoria Lane. Parker and Hall are considered the two front-runners in the race, and he has challenged her to six debates. She has agreed to participate in one……... MINORITY MALE college students in Texas are expected to benefit from a new initiative. The Texas Education Consortium for Male Students of Color officially launched this summer. It represents all sectors of education with the participation of K-12 school districts, community colleges
and public universities. Based at the University of Texas, the consortium plans to advance research on best practices to improve educational outcomes for male students of color. In addition to UT, other consortium partners include Texas A&M University and the Long Star College System……..THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE board voted to establish a conditional 6th and 9th grade pre-admission program. Parents or guardians of 6th and 9th grade students in the HCC service area will receive a letter of conditional admission informing students that if they graduate from high school with a 2.5 grade point average and meet other minimum require-
ments, they will be admitted to HCC and receive an Opportunity 14 Scholarship to help pay for their education. “Hopefully, the pre-admission program will help reduce the dropout rate and motivate more students to focus on getting themselves college and workforce-ready by the time they graduate from high school,” said Trustee Carroll G. Robinson…….. HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS are asked to beware of identity thieves who are calling about jury service in order to obtain personal information. Residents are reminded that the District Clerk’s Office will never call and ask for Social Security numbers, credit card numbers or other sensitive information.
defendernetwork.com • Serving the Houston area for over 80 years