The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation awards over $644,005 in grants

The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, in its 59th year, has awarded $644,005 to 21 non-profit organizations. These grants, determined during the annual meeting of the Board of Directors, held at the Sheraton Hotel City Centre in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday, October 13, 2013, have been awarded to support worthwhile youth-serving projects and to assist in the dissemination of information to the general public and specific target groups. The following is a brief summary of the grants awarded for 2014.

Autism Speaks of New York, New York was awarded $32,350 for their project, “100 Day Kit for Newly Diagnosed Families.” This grant will provide information kits on Autism and will encourage early intervention and supportive services. The Sons of the American Legion sponsors this grant.

Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation of Baltimore, Maryland was awarded $25,000 for their project, “Healthy Choices, Healthy Children Booklets.” This grant will produce booklets to assist adult mentors and law enforcement personnel in teaching teamwork, leadership, communication and personal responsibility to the kids they serve. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

Chadwick Center for Children and Families at Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego, California was awarded $40,350 for their project, “Disseminating Best Practices for Preventing Child Abuse and Family Violence.” This grant would provide a webcast of a multidisciplinary conference on child abuse, as well as brochures and email blasts.

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation of Omaha, Nebraska was awarded $14,000 for their project, “Period of PURPLE Crying Injury Prevention Program.” This grant will underwrite the production of an infant injury prevention program that will include the distribution of DVDs and educational booklets. The Sons of The American Legion sponsors this grant.

Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation of Avon, Connecticut was awarded $18,287 for their project, “CdLS Education Toolkit for Parents and Professionals.” This grant will provide toolkits, with information about this syndrome, to parents and professionals.

-Face the Future Foundation of Chicago, Illinois was awarded $6,575 for their project entitled, “Family and Public Support Program for Children with Craniofacial Birth Defects.” This grant will produce and distribute an informational video to assist parents with reducing their child’s challenging behaviors and increase social and self-control skills. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

Father Flanagan’s Boy’s Home (aka Boys Town) of Boys Town, Nebraska was awarded $35,500 for their project, “Boys Town National Hotline Online Awareness Campaign.” This grant will fund an internet publicity campaign to promote awareness of the Boys Town National Hotline. The Sons of The American Legion sponsors this grant.

Joe Foss Institute of Scottsdale, Arizona was awarded $10,000 for their project, “Veterans Inspiring Patriotism Program.” This grant will provide students with copies of the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The Sons of The American Legion sponsors this grant.

KS&A (Klinefelter Syndrome and Associates) of Pine, Colorado was awarded $20,000 for their project “Genetic Information Kits for Newly Diagnosed Children with X and Y Chromosome Variations.” This grant will provide informational booklets to parents of children with chromosome variation. The Sons of The American Legion sponsors this grant.

National Alliance of Child Abuse Prevention Funds of Seattle, Washington was awarded $25,260 for their project, “Bringing the Protective Factors to life in your Work – a Resource for Action.” This grant will produce toolkits for trainers to educate professionals and caregivers to help prevent child abuse and neglect. The American Legion Auxiliary and The Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.
National Autism Center of Randolph, Massachusetts was awarded $50,000 for their project, “Evidence-Based Educational Interventions in Public School Settings for Children with ASD.” This grant will produce and disseminate information to support an intervention program targeted towards schools and special education administrators. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

National Braille Press of Boston, Massachusetts was awarded $18,500 for their project, “Just Enough to Know Better: A Braille Primer.” This grant will produce a Braille primer for sighted parents to teach their blind children to read. The Sons of The American Legion sponsors this grant.

Organization for Autism Research of Arlington, Virginia was awarded $67,400 for their project, “Autism Tuned In.” This grant will develop an interactive, web- based program to enhance the lives of children with autism. The Sons of The American Legion sponsors this grant.

Partnership for Food Safety Education of Arlington, Virginia was awarded $20,600 for their project, “Phase II of the BAC! Fighter National Youth Campaign.” This grant will develop online resources to educate the public about foodborne illnesses and safe food handling. The Sons of The American Legion sponsors this grant.

Prevent Child Abuse America of Chicago, Illinois was awarded $14,383 for their project, “Helping Offenders Prevent Child Abuse and Assist in Healthy Development of Families.” This grant will underwrite the printing and distribution of a special baby journal aimed at preventing child abuse.

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, Inc. of Freehold, New Jersey was awarded $30,100 for their project, “Remote Delivery of Lifelines Suicide Prevention Program to Schools.” This grant will promote Lifeline Suicide Prevention Program in public schools through online training.

Songs of Love Foundation of Forest Hills, New York was awarded $25,000 for their project, “Songs of Love Outreach Project.” This grant will produce and disseminate brochures and update the organization’s website to promote awareness of the services offered. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

The American Legion National Headquarters Americanism Division of Indianapolis, Indiana was awarded $69,000 for their project, “The American Legion National Oratorical Contest – A Constitutional Speech Contest.” This grant will provide scholarship money to participants in the national contest. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Gateway Chapter of St. Louis, Missouri was awarded $5,000 for their project, “Pediatric Patient Out Reach.” This grant will provide booklets and hospital visitation kits for families with children diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma. The American Legion Auxiliary and The Sons of The American Legion sponsor this grant.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors of Arlington, Virginia was awarded $26,500 for their project, “Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors Children’s Bereavement Guide.” This grant will produce and disseminate bereavement guidebooks. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.

Young Marines of Washington, District of Columbia was awarded $90,000 for their project, “Young Marines Drug Demand Reduction.” This grant will underwrite the purchase and dissemination of anti-drug literature and promotional items. The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors this grant.