Every Day Numbers for the 14th District
CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES
Division of Child Support Enforcement
(314) 264-7700
Jewish Family and Children's Services
(314) 993-1000
NAACP - St. Louis County Branch
(314) 389-1552
St. Louis County Human Services
(314) 615-4453
Youth Emergency Services
(314) 727-6294
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Consumer Credit Counseling Services
(314) 647-9004
Consumer
Credit Reports
1-877-322-8228
Missouri Consumer Protection Hotline
1-800-392-8222
Missouri Dept. of Insurance Consumer Information
1-800-726-7390
CRISIS HOTLINES
Youth Emergency Service Hotline
(314) 727-6294
St. Louis Housing Resource Center
(Homeless Hotline)
(314) 802-5444
Life Crisis Services, Inc. (for Adults)
(24-Hour)
(314) 647-4357
Elderly Abuse Hotline
1-800-392-0210
Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline
(24-Hours)
1-800-392-3738
Alcohol Drug Interventions & Drug Treatment Referrals
1-888-762-3750
Trevor Lifeline
(For at-risk LGBT youth: 24-Hours)
1-866-488-7386
HEALTH-RELATED SERVICES
Alzheimer's Association
1-800-272-3900
Birth & Death Records
(314) 615-1720
HIGHER EDUCATION
Missouri School for the Blind
(314) 776-4320
Paraquad, Inc.
(314) 289-4200
HOUSING
Beyond Housing
(314) 533-0600
Housing Authority -
St. Louis County
(314) 428-3200
Home Improvement Grants (North County)
(314) 615-8232
PREGNANCY COUNSELING
Abortion Alternatives
(314) 962-5300
Planned Parenthood & Reproductive Health Services of St. Louis
(314) 531-7526
SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES
Missouri Rx Program
1-800-375-1406
Long-Term Care Information - Ombudsman
(314) 918-8222
Older Adult Community Action Program
(314) 993-5181
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (Elderly Law Unit)
(314) 534-4200
TOUR THE CAPITAL CITY
State Capitol Tours
(573) 751-2854
TRANSPORTATION
Call-A-Ride
(314) 652-3617
VETERANS BENEFITS
American Red Cross Blood Services
(314) 658-2000
Missouri Veterans Commission
(573) 751-3779
St. Louis County Office of Veterans' Services
(314) 552-9890
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
Big Brothers
Big Sisters
(314) 361-5900
Foster Grandparents
(314) 961-8000
ext. 370
Newsletter
February 24, 2015
Friends & Neighbors,
If you would like to learn more about the issues addressed in this newsletter or would like to discuss any matter involving state government, please contact my Capitol office.
Thank you,
Maria Chappelle-Nadal
14th District
For two weeks now we have been debating the Student Transfer Bill, the evolving product in my campaign to provide better educational opportunities and support for our children. These days of discussion have featured hours of earnest debate over several points of the bill, in what is becoming a truly bipartisan atmosphere of compromise. Last week, we discussed a menu of options, or the range of choices available to a family that wishes for their child to transfer schools. This week, we have already discussed and debated vacant buildings, firewalls and mental health wrap-around services for students in failing schools.
The first option is a virtual school, and the mechanics by which it is becoming available. As the bill stands, this option activates for children who are either unable to transfer to an accredited in-district school, or reside in the same county as a district operating an unaccredited school. This became a point of contention – while Sen. Pearce wished to limit this alternative to cases in which there are no in-district options already available for a student, Sen. Onder supported the original inclusive language. Recognizing this as a pivotal moment in the future of the bill, I introduced a compromise: A proposed cap on virtual enrollment (1% of total enrollment in counties able to send transfer students), which addressed some concerns while preserving opportunities for young students.
As negotiation continued on the subject, I also made a point to ensure that the options we were discussing would apply in every case where students are denied quality education. A school may have an accredited status one year, and then fall behind the next – as I explained to my colleagues, we need a preventative care measure. My solution was a more comprehensive trigger, so that students attending any school with a 3-year average APR score consistent with an unaccredited or provisionally accredited status could have these options too. In collaboration with Sen. Sifton, we incorporated this detail into a general “underperforming” status on yet another amendment dealing with building sales.
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Advocacy Tour in Chicago
On February 17th, I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel hosted by Prairie State College. The panel was entitled “Let's Talk – A Conversation About Education, Poverty, Law Enforcement Practices, and Where Does Society Go From Here”. Our discussion was moderated by Marcus Gentry, founder of A Mastermind Creation, a group dedicated to “facilitating empowerment and leadership” through workshops and historical dramatization. This event was part of a larger celebration of Black History Month, with more activities scheduled throughout the year.
I also attended a reception organized by the Coalition of African-American Leaders, an assembly of long-standing advocacy groups based in the Chicago area. These organizations have long promoted the well-being of African-American citizens, and it was a privilege to meet with these dedicated individuals to discuss the impact of recent national events, as well as positive changes we can make locally.
Pictured below is one of the many initiatives sponsored by Kids Off the Block, a non-profit group committed to improving the lives of youth through a variety of means. These include outreach, life-enriching activities and providing safe environments for youth to learn and grow, both academically and personally. The group is founded by Diane Latiker, a Chicago native and advocate who, in 2011, was featured on CNN Heroes for her humanitarian contributions.
Each of the bricks below represents another young person lost by gun violence. These individual reminders of that terrible cost add to a sum that is growing every day. The display I visited does more than remind – it challenges us to act, and make the changes necessary to stop this ongoing tragedy.
Reardon Roundtable on KMOX
On February 13th, I sat down with Mark Reardon for his Roundtable, broadcasted on KMOX Radio. Joining me were former Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones, and attorney Jane Dueker. Our conversations covered the Governor's response to Ferguson, the prospective new Rams stadium, and the latest bid to pass Right to Work legislation. You can listen to our show here.
Missouri Press Association Day – Legislative Panel on Ferguson
February 12th marked the Missouri Press Association and Associated Press' annual day at the Capitol. Hosted events included a panel on proposed legislation related to Ferguson, which I attended along with two colleagues. As I explained, civil unrest is a problem with multiple causes, and the solution must be equally dynamic. The legislative approach discussed today involved two fronts: addressing arbitrary law enforcement tactics, as well as bolstering communities’ responses through improvements in civic education.
Our meeting with the press marked an opportunity to discuss journalists' roles and treatment during the events in Ferguson. The reports of harassment and arrests of journalists throughout this episode were disconcerting to say the least. When considered in conjunction with the FAA no-fly zone that barred news helicopters from the scene while giving free passage to commercial craft, media suppression became a valid concern. It has been my goal this session to legislate protections against arbitrary measures of enforcement that harm and intimidate citizens – many of whom are peaceful demonstrators, or journalists providing needed coverage.
Naturally, any discussion from the community angle tied into education. The current state of affairs has created a system that continues to fail our children. They are not leaving the system fully equipped to deal with the trials of life, let alone crises that shake their faith in government. While I am now involved in efforts to improve educational support for children overall, such as the Student Transfer bill recently passed out of committee, we must also work to repair damage that has been done. Ferguson has had a traumatic effect on these communities – my legislation would provide counselors trained to help citizens cope with the violence and turmoil that defined those days. This provision of SB 21 is similar to schools' existing procedures for helping children through the aftermath of school-shootings.
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Republicans look to open door for new Voter ID laws-Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal (The Missouri Times)
ASU CRE will skype with Missouri State Senator Chappelle-Nadal (ADAMS STATE UNIVERSITY)
Law Enforcement Concerns Create Unlikely Alliances in Missouri and Beyond
(NY Times)
Number of Measures Await Committee Action (KDKZ-TV)
Local towns oppose reducing cap on traffic fines (The Rolla Daily News)
Missouri Senate panel considers Ferguson-inspired bill addressing police conduct (Daily Reporter)
Lawmakers draft legislation in reaction to Ferguson (Columbian Missourian)
"I am very pleased that we have an action senator such as yourself. Thank you for all that you do for our community, and a special thanks for the work you do on behalf of seniors." - Lamia Cosa
“I would like to say, you have such a beautiful attitude which I happen to know comes from your mother. Stay as smart and sweet as you are.” – Lillie Cole
“Great quote in the NY Times article Maria.” – Michael Meredith
“We very much appreciate your support on behalf of these Alzheimer’s and of their families.” – Zuleyma Tang-Martinez
“Thanks so much for thinking of me, no Senator, or Governor or Mayor or anyone from Congress or government has ever sent me a B.D. wish.” – William Harlan
Can’t believe last weekend it got up to the 60's and now the snow – thank goodness it was a holiday! Also glad I had the chance to visit my local library before the weather hit.
On February 9th I had the opportunity to discuss the issues of Ferguson with visitors from Russia!
While this day featured reminders of the past, it was also full of hope for the future! It was wonderful to meet these bright and dedicated young men, who were visiting from Rich East High School in Park Forest, Illinois.
