Each May, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity to shine a light on the plight of hundreds of thousands of children and youth in the foster care system. The campaign raises awareness about the urgent needs of these young people and encourages citizens from every walk of life to get involved.

Through the dedication of advocates, child welfare professionals, elected officials and support groups around the country, the total number of children waiting for a safe and permanent family has decreased from more than a half million to 463,000 between 2003 and the end of 2008. These numbers tell us that, together, we can make a difference for children in foster care.  12,476 children previously featured on AdoptUsKids now live with permanent families!

Energy Efficiency

Sponsor Organization: U.S. Department of Energy
Campaign Website: loseyourexcuse.gov

Energy use is on the rise around the world. By 2030, global energy demand is expected to increase 50 percent above 2005 levels, with electricity demand alone in the U.S projected to rise 29 percent over the same period. Increasing demand requires additional supplies to keep costs low, ensure reliability, and reduce America’s dependence on foreign energy sources. At the same time, this growing demand must be addressed in the context of global climate change. Consumers can make a significant difference on all these fronts by reducing demand through simple energy efficiency measures. For example, households that install energy-saving bulbs can cut energy used for lighting by more than 80 percent.

In a national survey of kids ages 8-12, 85 percent of respondents believed that they could lead their family to do what is needed to consume less energy in the home. The U.S. Department of Energy and the Ad Council have partnered together to launch a new kid-targeted campaign entitled “What’s Your Excuse?” highlighting the simplicity of making energy efficient changes in the home and asking kids to join millions of others to make a difference by using their energy wisely.

Brought to you in part by your friends at the Dance Radio Network and the Ad Council.

Emergency Preparedness (May is Hurricane Preparedness Month)

Sponsor Organization: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Campaign websites: ready.gov
Volunteer Agency: Cramer-Krasselt and Elevacion, Ltd.

91% of Americans believe it’s important to be prepared for emergencies. However, only 58% of households report having taken any steps at all to prepare. In order to encourage more Americans to prepare themselves, their families and their communities, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has sponsored public service advertisements (PSAs) that educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to all kinds of emergencies.

Launched in February 2003, the Ready Campaign asks individuals to do three key things to prepare for the unexpected: 1) get an emergency supply kit, 2) make a family emergency plan, and 3) be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses.

Brought to you in part by your friends at the Dance Radio Network and the Ad Council.

National Mental Health Anti-Stigma

Sponsor Organization: US Department of Health & Human Services,Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Campaign Website: whatadifference.org
Volunteer Agency: Grey Worldwide

Mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder are widespread.  In 2005 there were an estimated 24.6 million adults age 18 or older who experienced serious psychological distress (SPD), which is highly correlated with serious mental illness.

Among 18-25 year olds, the prevalence of SPD is high (18.6 % for 18-25, vs. 11.3% for all adults 18+) yet this age group shows the lowest rate of help-seeking behaviors.  Further, those with mental health conditions in this age group have a high potential to minimize future disability and pursue recovery if they receive the right support and services early on.

In an effort to provide these young adults with a better chance at recovery, this campaign seeks to reach adults ages 18-25 with a message of acceptance and understanding of mental illness.  It hopes to encourage friends to offer their support to a friend who has been diagnosed with a mental illness.

Brought to you in part by your friends at the Dance Radio Network and the Ad Council.

Sponsor Organization: The Humane Society of the United States; Maddie's Fund
Campaign Website: www.theshelterpetproject.org
Volunteer Agency: Draftfcb, Chicago

Of the eight million pets that enter animal shelters and rescue groups every year, approximately three million of these healthy and treatable pets are euthanized due to a lack of adoption. While there has been steady progress on the issue, the continued euthanasia of our best friends and family members is a national tragedy.

Adopting a pet is a life-changing and enriching experience. It not only saves an animal's life, but adopted pets also provide unconditional love, affection and attention. Research has even shown that owning a pet has many positive psychological and physical health benefits.

Brought to you in part by your friends at the Dance Radio Network and the Ad Council.

Sponsor Organization: Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Campaign Website: www.stopalcoholabuse.gov
Volunteer Agency: Deutsch, Inc. and Global Hue

Underage alcohol use is more likely to kill young people than all other illegal drugs combined.  Kids are also beginning to abuse alcohol earlier than you might think:  Nearly 20% of eighth graders have reported being drunk, according to a survey conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

These young people are not only putting themselves in danger now, they are also affecting their futures.  Research shows that children who first use alcohol before age 15 are five times more likely to have alcohol problems than those who start drinking after 21.

Despite the prevalence of underage drinking, and the potential consequences, research shows that parents generally underestimate the extent to which their teen children use alcohol and even consider it inevitable.

Brought to you in part by your friends at the Dance Radio Network and the Ad Council.

April 2010 is STD Awareness Month, an annual observance to raise awareness about sexually transmitted diseases’ (STDs) impact on Americans' health and the importance of individuals discussing sexual health with their health care providers and partners.

STDs are a major public health issue:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are approximately 19 million new cases of STDs each year in the United States, almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 24.

• STDs have an economic impact: direct medical costs associated with STDs in the United States are estimated at $16.4 billion annually.

Untreated STDs can lead to serious long-term health consequences, especially for adolescent girls and young women. CDC estimates that undiagnosed and untreated STDs cause at least 24,000 women in the United States each year to become infertile.

Vaccines offer protection against two common sexually transmitted infections: Hepatitis B and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). These vaccines can prevent important health problems, such as liver disease and cervical cancer.

To reduce the impact of STDs, it is important to increase knowledge about sexually transmitted infections and make STD testing a part of routine medical care. Because many STDs have no symptoms, those at risk need to get tested and find out if they are infected.

What You Can Do?

• Talk with your doctor or health care provider about STDs and ask about recommended vaccinations and testing.
• Get tested. Visit findSTDtest.org to find STD testing locations near you.
• Talk openly and honestly with your partner about STDs.
  

National Association of Broadcasters

NAB Show: Where Content Comes to Life

Conferences April 10-15, 2010 | Exhibits April 12-15 | Las Vegas Convention Center

For more than 80 years, there’s been only one global event for people passionate about content.

A place that fosters the convergence of industries the world turns to for information and entertainment.

An essential destination that is synonymous with next-generation technology, education and insight.

A gathering so powerful that it earns the respect of more than 80,000 digital media professionals every year.

From broadcasting to broader-casting®, the NAB Show™ has evolved over the last eight decades to continually lead this ever-changing industry. And while the solutions at your fingertips have changed to keep pace with consumer habits and technologies, your aspirations to produce and deliver memorable content have remained constant. From conception through distribution, the NAB Show proudly serves as the incubator for excellence – helping to breathe life into content everywhere.

NAB Show Fast Facts

• More than 85,000 audio, video and film content professionals

• 157 countries represented

• $30 billion in purchasing power

• 500+ conference and training sessions

• 1,500+ exhibiting companies and 800,000+ net square feet of exhibit space

• 1,300+ members of the press

• 82 years of industry leadership

Keep up with the NAB daily at nabshow.com

Sponsor Organization:  The US Department of Justice,  National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Web Site:  www.cybertipline.com
Volunteer Agency:  Merkley + Partners

The Internet has helped to enrich our lives in many ways, however, it has also provided child predators with a new way to reach potential victims and commit crimes.

Sixty-one percent of 13-17 year olds have a personal profile on a social networking site and half have also posted pictures of themselves.  Teen girls are particularly at risk – of 1 in 7 youth who received a sexual solicitation or approach over the Internet, 70 percent were girls.

Brought to you in part by your friends at the Dance Radio Network and the Ad Council.

Sponsor Organization: American Stroke Association
Campaign Website: www.strokeassociation.org
Volunteer Agency: BBDO Atlanta, Burrell Communications, GSD&M's Idea City, Spike DDB

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America. Someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and there are 795,000 new or recurrent strokes annually. Stroke is also a leading cause of severe, long-term disability as it can cause paralysis, vision problems, memory loss and speech/language problems.

Tragically, African Americans are almost twice as likely to suffer a first-ever stroke as compared with white Americans. Immediate emergency medical treatment may greatly reduce long-term disability caused by stroke but, unfortunately, African American men and women hesitate to call 9-1-1.

Brought to you in part by your friends at the Dance Radio Network and the Ad Council.