This week the DC Council passed the fiscal year 2014 budget and made changes to the Homeless Services Reform Act. The DC Fiscal Policy Institute offers a great summary. http://www.dcfpi.org/fiscal-year-2014-budget-wrap-up (DCFPI) Filmmaker Rotimi …

“As other newly minted graduates in Fairfax County and throughout the region focus on the beginning of adulthood and a path to living independently, Kanu and Winland already know all about living on their own.” For Fairfax Homeless Students, Gra…

“Such research points to the idea that stress leads to a stunting of brain development in children of low socioeconomic backgrounds.” How Poverty Might Change the Brain (CNN) “Researchers on the Social Work in Mental Health study found that ov…

“The conference featured around 150 invited attendees including mental health advocates and patients, educators, health care providers, faith leaders, lawmakers and local government officials from across the country.” Obama Convenes Mental Illne…

“Known as Joe the Barber, the 82-year-old retired businessman has been cutting hair for a quarter-century, charging nothing more than a thank you, and maybe a hug.” The Barber in the Park: A Man Called Joe Helps the Homeless and Inspires a Commu…

“Mental health campaigners said GPs needed to be aware of such disparities when deciding how to commission resources for treatment and support.” Women 40% More Likely Than Men to Develop Mental Illness, Study Finds (The Guardian) “At issue are…

“One of the goals of Calvary Women’s Services is to help women find housing during the time they are settled in the shelter.” A Fresh Start on Good Hope Road (Street Sense) “Numerous studies have been conducted on the brains of children and…

“Without a safe and stable home, survivors of domestic violence have little chance of escaping abusive environments and rebuilding their lives.” To Curb Domestic Violence, Start With Housing (Huffington Post) “The latest design is a lightweigh…

“Federally extended benefits, which may last for up to 47 weeks, kick in after a jobless worker has exhausted state unemployment benefits, which last up to 26 weeks.” For the unemployed, no reprieve on budget cuts (CNN) “Advocates claim there…

“Citing the recent clearance of a homeless encampment across from the Fallsway shelter as an example of the attitudes she’s perceived, Clarke suggested those attitudes are also present on the council.” Council Bill Would Make Homeless a “Pro…