It is a group of women and man whose professional careers are dedicated toward promoting a just and secure society.  It is also a group of people who have the passion and compassion working for those historically oppressed, under-served and under-represented populations.  Most of all, it is a group of social workers who live and study in this metropolitan and multicultural area, who critically assess and analyze American welfare policies, and who use their knowledge and skills to be advocates and activists for societal justice and equity.

Any question and comment?  Please write to Dr. Qingwen Xu at xuq@bc.edu..

DISABILITY

Braille & Talking Book Library
Website:  http://www.library.ca.gov/htm/pubser05.cfm
Level: CA State
Site Provider:
Braille & Talking Book Library is part of the California States Library that loans Braille, cassette and talking books, magazines and playback equipment to northern Californians unable to read conventional print.
Critique:
This website is helpful - giving you information and direction on what, how and who can apply for the talking book service.
Keywords:
Talking book, Braille, library, California, Blind
 

California Association of State Hospital Parent Councils for the Retarded
Website: http://www.cashpcr.org/
Level: CA State
Site Provider:
CASH-PCR is dedicated to insuring that all persons with developmental disabilities receive quality services and supports necessary for them to realize their full potential, as mandated by the Lanterman Act.
Critique:
The website supports the rights of parents, conservators and the persons with the developmental disabilities to determine the most appropriate venue for services.  They are also very active legislatively and keep the website updated with current bills locally, statewide, nationally and report news affecting the developmentally disabled.
Keywords:  Developmental Centers, California Legislation, Advocacy
 

California Developmental Disabilities NETLINK
Website: http://www.npi.ucla.edu/uap/cddn/
Level: CA State
Site Provider:
NETLINK’s aims is to assure that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have access to services and opportunities that promote independence, productivity and inclusion into the community.
Critique:
NETLINK provides information about services and programs for children and adults with Developmental disabilities in California.  Using the keywords listed above one can navigate easily using this website.  The website also contains links to national resources as well as state resources such as the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Protection and Advocacy and Area Boards, etc.  An added benefit to the website for agency’s is a link that allows you to post your agency and its website.
Keywords:
Housing Services, Residential Services, Family Support
 

California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
Website: http://www.cfilc.org
Level: CA State
Site Provider:
California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) purpose is to collaborate with and increase the capacity of California's Independent Living Centers to create access and integration for people with disabilities.
Critique:
CFILC efficiently supports independent living centers in their local communities through advocating for systems change and promoting access and integration for people with disabilities.  The website contains comprehensive information about employment options, public policy, grant proposals, current CFILC issues and an extensive resources website listing.
Keywords:
Advocacy, Independent Living, Legislation
 

California Rehabilitation Association
Website: http://www.carehab.org
Level: CA State
Site Provider:
The California Rehabilitation Association (CRA) is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the rights of people with disabilities primarily through active political involvement in Washington, D.C. and advancing the Rehabilitation profession..
Critique:
The CRA website provides a calendar of trainings for professionals to gain continuing education credits and an opportunity to network with other professionals in the field.   You will find useful information about upcoming events, conferences, board meeting minutes and links other websites that contain information on national legislative changes.
Keywords:
California Legislation, Advocacy, Conferences, Training
 

Children with Disabilities
Website: http://www.childrenwithdisabilities.ncjrs.org/
Level: National
Site Provider:
The Children with Disabilities online guide is a new initiative by the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (the Council).  As part of their effort to promote a national agenda for children and foster positive youth development, the Council's nine participating Federal agencies and offices have joined forces to create this Web site to provide children with disabilities and their parents access to a wide range of Federal, State, local, and national resources.
Critique:
The Children With Disabilities Web site is very informative giving information about advocacy, education, employment, health, housing, recreation, technical assistance, and transportation.  This website cover a wide range of federal, state, local and national resources.
Keywords:
foster youth, delinquency prevention, children with disabilities
 

The Council for Disability Rights
Website: www.disabilityrights.org
Level: National
Site Provider:
On national, state, and local levels, the Council for Disability Rights advances the rights of people with disabilities. The Council promotes public policy and legislation, public awareness through education, and provides information and referral services.
Critique:
This web site contains information to support people with disabilities in the areas of education, technology, attendant care services, employment, inclusion, health care, housing, and transportation.  It posts news briefs about various national happenings related to issues of disability rights. It also provides a parents’ guide to special education resources, voting resources and election information, a link to related books to order, and excellent contact information and advocacy details about how to take action against structural barriers.
Keywords:
special education, structural barriers
 

Disability Rights Advocates
Website: www.dralegal.org
Level: National and International
Site Provider:
Founded in 1993, Disability Rights Advocates is a national and international non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities. Operated by and established for people with disabilities, DRA pursues its mission through research, education, and legal advocacy. DRA's mission is to ensure dignity, equality, and opportunity for people with all types of disabilities throughout the United States and worldwide.
Critique:
This web site contains information about high impact class action lawsuits, people with disabilities in the holocaust, a Disability Watch link to watchdog advocates and organizations who work for access for people with all manners of disabilities. There is also information about international advocacy initiatives and funds for legal defense.  Information is provided about representative legal cases. There is also information about the organizations’ Health Access Project and their Employment Project.  This site has links as well to order publications.
Keywords:
disability rights, access, class action litigation, disability watch
 

The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
Website: www. dredf.org
Level: National
Site Provider:
The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) is a national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities through legislation, litigation, advocacy, technical assistance, and education and training of attorneys, advocates, persons with disabilities, and parents of children with disabilities.
Critique:
The DREDF web site contains information about current legislation debates, legal cases, and national policy related to the civil rights of persons with disabilities.  Through their site, one can order publications and learn about political actions and initiatives. They have all the latest information on education, training, and technical assistance for people with disabilities or people who care for someone with a disability.  Also through this site one can access global, national, and many local links for further information about legislation, technology, and services affecting the lives of people with disabilities.
Keywords:
disability civil rights, disability advocacy, training, legal defense
 

Learning Disabilities Association of America
Website: http://www.Idaca.org
Level: CA State
Site Provider:
The Learning Disabilities Association of California (LDA-CA) is a non-profit volunteer organization who’s purpose is to promote and support the education and general welfare of children and adults with learning disabilities.
Critique:
The LDA-CA has a comprehensive website containing articles on disabilities, a newsletter, resources and detailed information on the different aspects of a learning disability.  They also offer discounts on state and national conferences if you are a member.
Keywords:
Advocacy, Education, Employment Opportunities
 

The National Arts and Disability Center
Website: http://nadc.ucla.edu/
Level: National
Site Provider:
The National Arts and Disability Center (NADC) is the national information dissemination, technical assistance and referral center specializing in the field of arts and disability. The NADC is dedicated to promoting the full inclusion of children and adults with disabilities into the visual-, performing-, media, and literary-arts communities. The NADC is a project of the University of California, at Los Angeles (UCLA), Tarjan Center for Developmental Disabilities (formerly University Affiliated Program).
Critique:
This is a good website which have in its website resources directories, annotated bibliographies, related links and conferences serve to advance artists with disabilities and accessibility to the arts.
Keywords:
Arts and disabilities, children, literacy, arts
 

The National Council on Disability
Website: www.ncd.gov
Level: National
Site Provider:
The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency making recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting 54 million Americans with disabilities. NCD is composed of 15 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. In its 1986 report Toward Independence, NCD first proposed that Congress should enact a civil rights law for people with disabilities. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law.
NCD's overall purpose is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.
Critique:
This site contains PDF versions of government reports and studies about Americans living with disabilities. It has links to all federal agencies that do work related to persons with disabilities. It lists extensive resources and contains links to information about rights, access, housing, how to contact your senator or representative, various state resources for people with disabilities, independent living centers, parent training, and access to education for people with disabilities. It also has a comprehensive section of answers to questions about receiving government entitlements, social security, and information about how to make a disability related complaint.
Keywords:
disability research, Americans with Disabilities, ADA, Government benefits
 

University of Washington Center for Disability Policy and Research
Website: http://depts.washington.edu/cdpr
Level: National
Site Provider:
The site providers' mission encompasses the following: To conduct policy analyses of health and human services designed to prevent and minimize impact of disabling conditions, integrate and coordinate existing services, and assure access to high quality health services for people with disabilities; to conduct research on the disablement process and disabling conditions, the health needs of people with disabilities, the personal, and the delivery of health and human services to people with disabilities and their families; to improve surveillance of primary and secondary factors contributing to the progression of chronic disease and injury; to train practitioners, administrators, and policy-makers in disability policy and research; and to disseminate information concerning important disability policy and research issues.
Critique:
This site has evaluations of local projects centered on advocacy and training for people with disabilities and people who work with them.  It lists journal articles relevant to issues of disability rights, policy, and access.  It also has full text versions of research projects being conducted at the center and links to more local and a few national advocacy and policy sites.
Keywords:
disability research, policy analyses, training
 

World Institute on Disability
Website: www.wid.org
Level: Local, National and International
Site Provider:
The World Institute on Disability (WID) is a nonprofit, public policy center dedicated to promoting independence and full societal inclusion of people with disabilities. Since its founding in 1983 by Ed Roberts, Judy Heumann and Joan Leon, WID has earned a reputation for high quality research and public education on a wide range of issues. The Board of Directors and staff, over half of whom are people with disabilities, are respected national leaders in the disability field as well as in industry, government, and social services. This enables WID to bring a cross-disability perspective to the policy arena. WID's innovative personnel policies are national models of affordable reasonable accommodation, including personal assistance, adaptive technology, and flexible work scheduling."
Critique:
This site has information about local events and activities.  Also, the site contains contact information and summaries of projects at the Institute, such as the work incentives initiative, a health care access and long term care project, an individual development accounts project which helps people with disabilities access grants and small loans, a youth with disabilities project, Proyecto Vision for Latinos with disabilities, a technology policy project, and an international disability project which aims to connect networks of disability rights organizations and initiatives throughout the world.  The list of links from this site is extremely comprehensive and well-organized.
Keywords:
Oakland, California, International disability, Advocacy

HUNGER,  HOUSING, POVERTY

The American Academy of Pediatrics
Level: National with Regional and Local Links
Website: http://www.aap.org/policy
Site Provider:
The American Academy of Pediatrics is a national organization of Pediatrics who among other things, provide advocacy, research and professional education pertaining to the health of children. The WIC portion of this site is dedicated to linking to AAP's policy statement regarding WIC, including it's commitment to being an active partner in the development and implementation of WIC and other Federal child nutrition programs.
Critique:
This website is informative and very comprehensive mostly intended for professionals and many of the site locations require membership, however, the WIC portion of the site is free to everyone. It provides many links to information about research and policy regarding infant and child nutrition. While the AAP is not a governmental organization nor a for-profit organization, there are biases based on political and social forces that shift and change over time. This organization has also been subject to much social advocacy and criticism and has been moved and shaped to some degree by public activism as well as other interests.
Keywords:
Child Health, Child Nutrition, Pediatrics
 

America's Second Harvest
Level: National
Website: http://www.secondharvest.org
Site Provider:
America's Second Harvest is the largest domestic hunger relief organization in the nation. The organization distributes emergency food relief to families and in particular children through networking with food rescue centers and food banks.
Critique:
This site is beneficial in regards to listing their national programs which provides food to needy families through disaster relief assistance and food initiatives that strive to provide not food but fresh products and nutritional education. The organization has been effective in contributing to policy making by establishing coalitions with various anti hunger organizations that conducts research in order to gain an understanding of the actual reality of hunger and the various populations that are at risk.
Key Words:
Hunger and social policy, Food and Public policy
 

California Coalition for Rural Housing
Level: State
Website: http://www.calruralhousing.org
Site Provider:
The California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH) is a statewide network of nonprofit housing developers, legal services agencies, public housing California. CCRH supports the production and preservation of decent, safe, and low-cost housing for rural and low-income Californians. Supporters include nonprofit housing agencies, lending institutions, community advocacy organizations, consumer members, and local government officials. The Coalition advocates for housing at all levels of government before legislative and regulatory bodies. It also provides technical and organizational assistance to community groups and nonprofit agencies and educates the public on housing issues.
Critique:
This website is very simple and provides information in an easy to understand, concise manner. There are various links to various CCRH programs, including their Tenant Organizing and Education program and their Internship program for students of color.
Keywords:
California rural housing, low-cost housing, housing preservation.
 

California Department of Housing and Community Development
Level: State
Website: www.hcd.ca.gov
Site Provider:
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is California's principal housing agency. Their mission is to provide leadership, policies and programs to expand and preserve safe and affordable housing opportunities and promote strong communities for all Californians. The Department administers State and Federal housing finance, housing rehabilitation, and economic developmental programs. The Department promotes the development of housing through policy and programs and administers housing-related laws. The Department also analyzes, enforces and participates in the development of building codes, manufactured housing standards and mobile home park housing regulations.
Critique:
This site is difficult to use, as it is often offline for updating purposes. When it is online and functioning, it provides an incredible amount of California housing information. All laws and policies regarding housing in California can be found on this site.
Keywords:
California housing, safe and affordable housing, California housing law and policy, California government, housing development.
 

California Food Policy Advocates
Level: State
Website:  http://www.cfpa.net
Site Provider:
California Food Policy Advocates is the only anti poverty program in the state which concentrates on providing nutritious and healthy food to low income families. The organization influences public policy through research of hunger at the national and local level and provides public awareness and education on the issue while also assisting public and private food programs in order to make their services more efficient in addressing hunger and rectifying the underlying causes.
Critique:
This site provides a multitude of information and facts on hunger in California and provides a report on hunger and it's association with homelessness. The site sets out to not only research hunger in California but also provides information on the Food Stamp Program and legislation AB 231 which sets out to counteract the barriers that prevent individuals from being eligible for food stamps. I found this site beneficial in providing fundamental strategies on how to lobby and advocate in order to influence the public policy arena.
Key Words:
Food and public policy Substance Abuse
 

California Housing Finance Agency
Level: State
Website: http://www.calhfa.ca.gov/
Site Provider:
The California Housing Finance Agency's mission is to finance below market rate loans to create safe, decent and affordable rental housing and to assist first-time home buyers in achieving the dream of home ownership. They support the needs of renters and first-time home buyers by providing financing and programs that create safe, decent and affordable housing opportunities for individuals within specified income ranges. They also established as a State affordable housing bank to make below market-rate loans through the sale of tax-exempt bonds. We are a completely self-supporting State agency. Other topics include but are not limited to: Bulletins, Proposition 46 overviews, Press releases, customer service surveys, mortgage insurance and muli-family programs.
Critique:
This site is very personable, helpful, and informative about the self sustaining programs they offer.  Caution: This site is not recommended for research unless for comparing it to government programs or more personal uses.
Key Words:
Affordable housing
 

California Welfare Information Clearinghouse
Website: http://www.financeprojectinfo.org/cwic/index.asp
Level: State
Site Provider:
The California Welfare Information Clearinghouse summarizes welfare reform related resources specific to the California. It includes materials from WIN's national web site, as well as additional information of specific interest to Californians concerned with welfare related issues at the state and local level.
Critique:
See Welfare Information Network
Keywords:
California, welfare, policy, CalWorks, MediCal
 

Center for Law and Social Policy
Level: National
Website: http://www.clasp.org/
Site Provider:
Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) is a national, nonprofit organization founded in 1968, which conducts research, policy analysis, technical assistance, and advocacy on issues related to economic security for low- income families with children.  Family policy projects include welfare reform, workforce development, child care, child support enforcement, child welfare, couples and marriage policy, and reproductive health and teen parents. Civil legal assistance projects include "general counsel" to LSC- funded programs and the Project for the Future of Equal Justice.
Critique:
CLASP has a rather extensive website for welfare policy, however it took me a while to figure out exactly how to get to the policy information. I had to wade through many pages describing the organization itself and what it does before I could get to information about specific issues. Much of the specific policy info is contained on another website which is a project of CLASP, called the State Policy Documentation Project (SPDP) I gave info for this website below. The CLASP website does also provide opportunities to register for online conferences, as well to download their free monthly publication which contains articles on current welfare policy issues.
Key Words:
social policy, welfare, advocacy, low-income, legal assistance, technical assistance, economic security
 

Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
Level: National
Website: http://www.usda.gov/cnpp
Site Provider:
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion is an agency of the US Department of Agriculture. It's stated mission is to "work to improve the health and well-being of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidelines that links scientific research to the nutrition needs of the consumer". The CNPP defines nutrition policy within the USDA and translates the USDA-funded nutrition research into information and education material for consumers, policy-makers and health professionals.
Critique:
As with the other USDA websites, this website is comprehensive, easy to use and provides multiple links about it's activities and those of related USDA agencies.
Caution:
As with other USDA agencies, this research and policy agency is biased towards the agriculture industry and therefore it's guidelines, recommendations, and definitions should always be read with a critical eye.
Keywords:
Nutrition, Health, Nutrition Policy, Agriculture
 

The Center on Hunger and Poverty
Level: State
Website: http://www.centeronhunger.org
Site Provider:
The Center on Hunger and Poverty is part of the Heller School of Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University and promotes policies that address hunger at a National State and local level. The Center has two main have two main sections the Asset Development Institute and the Food Security Institute which carry out an array of programs geared toward combating hunger between low income families and children and redeveloping policy frameworks.
Critique:
This site is informative and useful in regards to understanding domestic hunger and provides a list of articles which address this issue and it's implications for the future. The site does a great job of advocating for the need of more comprehensive legislation which will get to the root causes of poverty, based on analytical and inclusive research.
Key Words:
Hunger and social policy
 

Community Food Security Coalition
Level: Regional
Website:  http://www.foodsecurity.org
Site Provider:
The Community Food Security Coalition is a non profit Northern American organization that implements a public policy framework which advocates for federal resources in order to build local and regional food systems that will at all times provide affordable, and nutritious food to families.
Critique:
This is an extremely informative site because its mission is to not only address the issue of hunger in America but to incorporate community involvement and self-sufficiency to provide an alternative to global food systems. This organization seeks to build improved better relationships between local farms and consumers which will assist in keeping small family owned farms in business while enabling families have access to fresh food reflective of their particular region.
Key Words:
Hunger policies and community coalition, Hunger public policy and community
 

The Finance Project, the Welfare Information Network
Level: National
Website: http://www.financeprojectinfo.org/win/
Site Provider:
A project of The Finance Project, the Welfare Information Network (WIN) is a clearinghouse for information, policy analysis and technical assistance related to welfare, workforce development, and other human and community services. The Finance Project offers a broad range of services to a variety of public- and private-sector clients. These services include: research and analysis; policy tool development; technical assistance; development of web based clearinghouses; management of major, multi-state initiatives; and developing peer and organizational networks
Critique:
Extensive website with policy info in many areas including: Homelessness, housing, immigrants,employment, child welfare, nutrition programs, substance abuse, mental health, TANF & Welfare to Work, and Medicaid, to name just a few. It is definitely more descriptive than political, and maintains a neutral stance. It provides a wealth of information re: existing programs and policies surrounding poverty and welfare, including detailed information on program guidelines and changes in eligibility criteria. From this site you can also link to info re: state and local programs. Below is the direct link to California specific issues.
Key words:
welfare, policy, TANF, Medicaid, homelessness
 

Food and Nutrition Service
Level: National with Regional and Local Links
Website: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fncs
Site Provider:
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is a Federal agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. FNS's mission is to ensure access to nutritious and healthful diets for all Americans through food assistance and nutrition education. FNS partners with regional and local organizations by providing low-income people access to food and nutrition education that supports American agriculture.
Critique:
This website is easy to use, very comprehensive and informative and includes links to nutrition newsletters, relative legislation, toll free information and support numbers etc. It is designed to be used by people who are implementing Federal food programs and by people who are interested in advocating for and supporting Federal nutrition and health support.
Caution:
While this organization is instrumental in providing low-income people with food and nutrition assistance, and partnering with Federally-funded food supplement programs, it is also mandated to support the USDA, which creates a built-in bias towards the agriculture industry. Their food guidelines and legislative advocacy should always be read with a critical eye and with this bias in mind.
Keywords:
Nutrition, Nutrition Policy, Health, Agriculture
 

Food and Nutrition Service
Level: National with Regional and Local Links
Website: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/
Site Provider:
This branch of the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), a Federal agency of the US Department of Agriculture, is responsible for administering the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program at the national and regional levels. The stated mission of this program is to "safeguard the health of low-income women, infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk, by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets." The WIC program provides means-tested cash allowances in the form of food vouchers to low-income families while their children are 5 and under. They also promote breastfeeding education and provide support through breastfeeding consultants, educational materials, and support groups.
Critique:
This website is user-friendly and very comprehensive and informative about the WIC program, including nutrition and breastfeeding newsletters, relative legislation and regulation activity and toll-free information and support phone numbers.
Caution:
This agency is a part of the USDA, and as such should be viewed through a critical eye, however, extensive political activism has affected this organization in a way that makes it slightly more grass-roots friendly and slightly less agribusiness vulnerable than other USDA organizations.
Keywords:
Health, Child Health, Infants and Toddlers, Nutrition
 

Food Research and Action Center
Level: National
Website: http://www.frac.org
Site Provider:
The Food Research and Action Center was originally established is a non profit organization aimed at addressing hunger and the lack of nutrition through increased education and improved public polices at the various levels of government.
Critique:
This site is intriguing because although the center focuses on research and public policy it embodies a non partisan approach to dealing with hunger and believes each political has a responsibility to develop comprehensive solutions. The center also provides useful articles that analyze the Food Stamp Initiative, Food Breakfast programs and other services which assist in combating hunger.
Key words:
Hunger and Public Policy
 

Grass Roots Organizing for Welfare Leadership
Level: National
Website: http://www.ctwo.org/growl/
Site Provider:
Grass Roots Organizing for Welfare Leadership (GROWL) is a national movement of welfare rights and economic justice organizations that challenges the dominant framework around welfare reform from a grassroots perspective. GROWL employs three strategies:
1. Conducting research to influence policy-makers;
2. Bringing together grassroots and support organizations to build cross-cutting networks;
3. Providing training and consultation to increase grassroots' capacity.
GROWL's growing national membership includes 47 grassroots welfare rights groups and strategic alliances with several research and media advocacy organizations. GROWL works closely with organizations that places a strong emphasis on race and gender justice.
Critique:
Although this site could be an excellent resource for researchers falling more toward the left, I was disappointed to find that most of it was outdated, with the most recent postings being from the early part of 2002. This is unfortunate as the site seems to have had the right idea - it has a section entitled "how to get involved," which listed community events and trainings for political advocacy, postings of major Headlines re: welfare policy, articles and reports, and even a resource page. It looks like the ghost of what was a good start, but got put on hold because of budgetary issues. I included it anyway for 3 reasons: 1) although the articles/postings are 1 to 3 years old, many are still relevant regarding current welfare policy, 2) The web-links page is still functional and provides many good resources for similar sites, and 3) it looks as though this web-site may be picked up again and updated at some point when funding is available.
Key Words:
Welfare, grass roots, political advocacy, race, gender, organizing
 

Housing California
Level: State
Website: http://www.housingca.org
Site Provider:
Housing California is a statewide coalition of over 1,000 regional and local housing advocates, nonprofit developers and homelessness service organizations. They lobby on state-level policy and budget matters in an effort to increase housing opportunities for homeless and very low-income households. They organize the nation's largest conference on housing and homelessness with attendance of over 1400 people.
Critique:
Housing California's website is a wealth of information on policy, legislation and advocacy resources. There is a Bimonthly newsletter and an excellent resource page for housing and advocacy. There are also job postings and information on their annual conference.
Keywords:
California housing, low-income housing, housing advocacy, homelessness.
 

Hoursing Rights Committee of San Francisco
Level: Regional
Website: http://www.hrcsf.org/
Site Provider:
This site talks about rights for tenants in San Francisco. There are several resources for SF residents/ tenants such as subletting issues, workshops, newsletters, committee memberships, noise, roommates counseling services, and links to other agencies. It also talks about landlords responsible such as eviction, repair issues, security deposits, and city responsibilities such as subsidized housing, etc.
Critique:
This site is as easy as 123 to navigate through. It also provides a lot of good information for tenant and poor people
Keywords:
housing rights
 

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Level: National
Website: http://www.huduser.org/publications/pdrpubli.html
Site Provider:
Primarily sponsored by HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research, these reports, executive summaries, case studies, and guidebooks span the fields of housing and urban development. The Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) is responsible for providing advice, maintaining current information, monitoring housing needs, housing market conditions, and the operation of existing programs; and for conducting research on priority housing and community-development issues. We provide reliable and objective data and analysis to inform policy decisions. The focus is on providing definitive answers to questions about what programs work and how they can be made better.
Critique:
This site is best used for research on political issue regarding Federal housing programs and policies. You can get specific and detailed info and links to other similar sites.  Caution: Some article asks for certain software to open them. Articles/ papers are prepared by specialist and my have bias but are very thorough in nature so if you like to read you in.
Key words:
Housing Policy
 

Legal Services of Northern California
Level: State with Federal Links
Website: http://www.lsnc.net/
Site Provider:
This site contains various links to legal advocacy agencies and housing hotlines. It also informs the reader about California and federal laws, policies, and legal rights. This site contain many other legal issue that deal with California laws and policies Such as meta-legal, research, statutes, regulations, constitutions, welfare and disability laws, housing statistics food stamp, case summaries and data.
Critique:
This site is very easy to use. It's as easy as ABC. It gives you a brief outline for the subject, background info, and it gives you an agenda like summary to follow your subject.  Caution: This site will lead its reader and have you read history or background on your subject information in a certain way.
Key words:
legal service Northern (then go to the housing link)
 

The National Housing Law Project
Level: National
Website: http://www.nhlp.org
Site Provider:
The National Housing Law Project (NHLP) is a national housing law and advocacy center.  The goal of NHLP is to advance housing justice for the poor by increasing and preserving the supply of decent affordable housing, by improving existing housing conditions, including physical conditions and management practices, by expanding and enforcing low-income tenants' and homeowners' rights, and by increasing opportunities for racial and ethnic minorities.  NHLP works to achieve that goal by providing legal assistance, advocacy advice and housing expertise to legal services and other attorneys, low-income housing advocacy groups, and others who serve the poor.  NHLP? primary areas of emphasis are public policy advocacy, litigation assistance, training, and research and writing, focusing on issues and problems that will have the greatest impact on the housing rights of the poor.
Critique:
This site is full of information on the issue described above and has several helpful links to related issue.  Caution: But it is very dry and hard to get into all the legal stuff
Keywords:
national housing laws
 

National Low Income Housing Coalition
Level: National
Website: http://www.nlihc.org
Site Provider:
The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated solely to ending America's affordable housing crisis. NLIHC believes that affordable housing for everyone is possible and advocates to amend policies that prevent Americans from attaining affordable housing. Their primary concern is housing for people living in this country with the lowest incomes.
Critique:
The NLIHC website is interesting and easy to navigate. It provides excellent resources around policy and attaining housing. There is a monthly newsletter and a page of useful resource links.
Keywords:
Affordable housing, public housing, vouchers, fair housing, choice of tenancy.
 

National Multi Housing Council
Level: National
Website: http://www.nmhc.org/
Site Provider:
NMHC is a national association representing the interests of the nation's larger and most prominent apartment firms. NMHC advocates on behalf of rental housing, conducts apartment-related research, encourages the exchange of strategic business information, and promotes the desirability of apartment living. One-third of Americans rent their housing, and 15 percent of all U.S. households live in an apartment home. Other topics include but are not limited to: State tax outlooks, opposing section 8 block grants, legislation, and court briefs opposing class action suits, Washington updates, environmental updates, rent control proposals, articles, open forums, and conferences.
Critique:
This site is very useful to gather info about land Lords rights, wishes, views, and beliefs. It also guides you to court cases and land lord laws.  Cautions: This site gives perspective for the Land lords view point and they use the word Lord in reference to controlling and ruling over a land.
Keywords:
Affordable housing, Housing Laws, Section 8.
 

State Policy Documentation Project
Level: National (with state specific information)
Website: http://www.spdp.org/
Site Provider:
The State Policy Documentation Project (SPDP)is a joint project of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) that tracks state policy choices on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) programs and Medicaid in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.The information presented on the SPDP website describes state policy--statutes, regulations, and caseworker manuals--not practice. SPDP tracks policy choices on a wide range of TANF and Medicaid issues.The information is presented in three ways: individual state policy descriptions, 50-state policy comparisons, and summaries of policy issues.
Critique:
This website is mainly descriptive and gives detailed information of state specific welfare policies, as well as state to state comparisons of policy language and implementation. I found the site a little difficult to follow, i.e. it was hard for me to find specific information. Also some of the links led to pages that didn't exist. But it seemed to contain comprehensive information on the specific language for welfare policy related to the 1996 welfare reform act for each of the 50 states.
Key Words:
welfare, policy, state, TANF, Medicaid, welfare reform.
 

Welfare Information Network
Level: National
Website: welfareinformation.org
Site Provider:
Welfareinformation.org is designed for journalists, producers and editors covering welfare in the United States. This site provides an in-depth directory for journalists seeking background information on welfare issues and contact information for people who can give interviews.  Welfareinformation.org is produced by Voices for the Silenced, a project of *We Interrupt this Message.
Critique:
Rather than containing information regarding welfare policy, Welfareinformation.org is an excellent resource on how to find such information. As it is actually designed for journalists, it contains agency and individual contact information to use as a resource for getting any and every angle related to welfare policy, legislation, and services. The site is extremely simple and easy to use, and includes a search engine by key word as well as by location.
Key Words:
journalism, welfare, directory
 

The Welfare Law Center
Level: National
Website: http://www.welfarelaw.org/
Site Provider:
The Welfare Law Center works with and on behalf of low-income people to ensure that adequate income support -- public funding provided on the basis of need -- is available whenever and to the extent necessary to meet basic needs and foster healthy human and family development. The Center engages in legal representation and policy advocacy around the country to improve the administration of cash assistance, Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Child Care. The Center is a recognized national leader in using litigation to improve welfare programs.
Critique:
The Welfare Law Center is primarily a legal and political advocacy group dedicated toward improvement of welfare policy in an effort to improve conditions for the nation's poor. They describe their current program as focusing mainly around two areas: 1)Legal and Policy Advocacy, and 2) Promoting Individual and Community Empowerment. The website seems to consist mainly of press releases, legal documents, and announcements re: welfare policy issues.  I feel this site gives a lot of information re: welfare policy issues, however I found it difficult to tell how the site providers implement the services related to the two areas of focus mentioned above. Although very specific services related to these areas are outlined on the site, there is no information on how to access them.
Key Words:
welfare, law, legal, advocacy, disability
 

World Hunger Year
Level: National and International
Website: http://www.worldhungeryear.org
Site Provider:
World Hunger Year is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1975 by Bill Ayers and Harry Chapin. The organization is dedicated to fighting hunger and poverty in the US and internationally and believe that solutions can be found at the grass-roots level. They offer long-term support for community-based organizations, cash grants, job training, education, after-school programs, micro-credit loans and entrepreneurial opportunities at the community level.
Critique:
This website is well designed and user-friendly. There are many links to related non-profit organizations and to programs within the organization itself. This organization has a bias for non-industrial, community-based agriculture and promotes and supports advocacy for issues related to hunger and food issues from a non-commercial perspective.
Keywords:
Hunger, Nutrition, Community Agriculture
 
 

MENTAL HEALTH

American Experience: A Brilliant Madness/ Timeline
Website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/nash/timeline
Level: National
Site Provider:
This site details the information from a PBS American Experience film called A Brilliant Madness, and includes a timeline on the mental health treatments beginning in 400 BC.
Critique:
This web site provides chronicles the evolution of mental health treatment beginning in 400 BC.  The information provided is pretty basic, but the span of time covered is impressive.  The site provides links to other sources of information of most significant topics.  It has a lot of information on genesis of specific psychiatric medications, which have greatly impacted the treatment of certain mental health conditions.
Keywords:
mental health history, asylum, psychiatric treatment, medication, Electro-convulsive therapy
 

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Website: http://www.bazelon.org/
Level: National and Local
Site Provider:
The Bazelon Center advocates for people with mental illness, provides legal technical assistance, collaborates locally and nationally with consumer organizations to work toward reform, active in national policy coalitions.  The Bazelon Center supports choice and dignity for mentally ill children and adults.  Information is available on insurance, access to care, fair housing, systems of care, self-help networks, forced outpatient treatment and criminalization of mentally ill.
Critique:
This site has a nonprofit advocacy perspective and focuses on the rights of mentally ill people.  Good free information in the form of articles that are downloadable.
Key words:
Forced outpatient treatment, Advocacy, Reform, Law, Self-help, assisted outpatient treatment
 

Growth Central Online
Website: http://growthgroups.com/mentalhealthresources.htm
Level: National
Site Provider:
Growth Central Online is a website of Mental Health Resources.  This website provides resources on abuse/domestic violence, anger control, adolescents, couple therapy, parenting, step-family, divorce, and gay/lesbian issues.
Critique:
This website has a lot of links to many mental health issues and provides very good resources on issues such as abuse/domestic violence, anger control, adolescents, couple therapy, parenting, step-family, divorce, and gay/lesbian.
Keywords:
Abuse, domestic violence, anger control, gay, lesbian, divorce
 

Kathi’s Mental Health Review
Website: www.toddertime.com
Level: Regional
Site Provider:
Mike Stortz of Protection and Advocacy, Inc.
Critique:
The site had excellent information regarding medications used for controlling different illnesses and disorders.  It went into details about the side effects of the medication.  The site also has an analysis of the Bill AB 1421.
Keywords:
Medication, AB 1421, Mental Health Disorders, legislation
 

Mental Health History Timeline
Website: http://www.mdx.ac.uk/www/study/mhhtim.htm
Level: International
Site Provider:
This web site is sponsored by author Andrew Roberts, who wrote a book called The Lunacy Commission, as well as other writings on mental health and mental health care.  He has compiled historical data about mental health in England, Wales, and America from a variety of sited sources.
Critique:
This Mental Health history Timeline is an international site documenting attitudes, beliefs, policies and emerging treatments in mental health in England, Wales, and in America, beginning in 1377.  The user is able to read mental health history chronologically, or to focus on a particular point in time.  The site includes views from mental health consumers and their families, and also encourages further contributions.  It documents societal views on madness and disability as well.
Keywords:
American history, mental health history, Dorothea Dix, asylum care
 

Mental Health Matters
Website: http://www.mental-health-matters.com/
Level: National
Site Provider:
A directory of Mental Health sites, including alternative resources, support groups, and patient's rights in order to supply information and resources to mental health consumers, professionals, students and supporters.
Critique:
The main purpose of the website is to provide a structured source of information about mental health issues by providing information for students to continue their education about Mental Health issues, providing consumers with access to their peers and anonymous consumers for the exchange of ideas, and information to improve the knowledge base and spread information throughout the community. Latest and popular articles are also provided. Lots of information but has a search mechanism if you do not want to explore the entire site.
Keywords:
Mental health education, Advocacy, Legal Resources
 

Mental Health Resources
Website: http://www.mentalhealth.about.com
Level: National
Site Provider:
Mental Health Resources is a part of a network of sites sponsored by an organization called About.com.  About.com has created a number of sites on a wide variety of topics.  An expert in the field of the issue being discussed controls each site.  In the case of Mental Health Resources, that expert is a practicing psychologist.
Critique:
This web site provides a great deal of information regarding psychological and psychiatric issues.  It offers information for people with mental illness and their families.  It offers them the opportunity to learn skills for coping with mental illness from others who are living with a diagnosis of mental illness.  It presents information about specific psychiatric medications as well as a glossary of mental health terms.  It caters to both an audiences with a sophisticated understanding of mental health issues and to those who might be seeking very basic information.  It also lists mental health resources through a state mental health directory and a glossary of mental health related books.    The most interesting aspect of the sight is it’s posting of recent studies and articles on various mental health topics.  It also provides links to mental health site addressing the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people.
Keywords:
psychiatry, psychology, psychiatric medications
 

Mental Health Sanctuary
Website: http://www.mhsanctuary.com/
Level: National
Site Provider:
Mental Health Sanctuary is an online resource for patients, families and professionals in mental health. Articles, resources, chats, bulletin boards and support regarding a variety of mental health disorders are in this site.
Critique:
I think this site provides helpful information about mental health disorders.  The information on this website is mainly for its consumers.
Keywords:
Sanctuary, consumer resources, mental health support, mental health disorder
 

The International Society for Mental Health Online
Website: http://www.ismho.org/
Level: International
Site Provider:
The International Society for Mental Health Online (ISMHO) was formed in 1997 to promote the understanding, use and development of online communication, information and technology for the international mental health community. ISMHO is a nonprofit corporation.
Critique:
The website mission is to promote mental health in the form of online communication which can reach many people but also exclude people who do not have access to the internet. There is not much information on the website and the headlines that are on the website is provided by Aetna InteliHealth. The drawback is that there is a membership fee in the amount of $25 annually and this does not disclose what addition information is included in the due.
Keywords:
Online communication, International mental health, internet, access
 

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
Website: http://www.nami.org/
Level: National
Site Provider:
NAMI is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help organization whose mission is to provide support and advocacy for consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses.  The site provides information and links and some discussion groups on living with mental illness and associated issues.
Critique:
NAMI is predominantly an advocacy organization for families and friends of the mentally ill as opposed to the consumers themselves.  Its mission is somewhat ambiguous because, while the organization is concerned about the rights of mental health consumers, its real focus is on those who have loved ones who are mental health consumers.  From that perspective it does also advocate for mental health comsumers. Good links to other organizations in support of rights of mental illness.
Key words:
Family support, Advocacy, Discussion groups
 

NAMI, California
Website: http://www.namicalifornia.org
Level: State CA
Site Provider:
NAMI California is a grassroots organization of families and individuals whose lives have been affected by serious mental illness. The organization does advocacy, education and support for families and those with mental illness.  NAMI California strives to eradicate stigma surrounding mental illness.
Critique:
While they support “hope and healing of those with mental illness they often advocate healing through medication, forced if necessary.  This is the California affiliate of the National NAMI (listed also), focusing on issues that are specific to California. Good list of recent news stories about mental illness. Also tracks California bills on the issues of mental illness.
Key words:
Family support, Advocacy, California, Legislation
 

The National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice
Website:  http://www.ncmhjj.com/
Level: National
Site Provider:
Promotes awareness of the mental health needs of youth in the juvenile justice system and assists the field in developing improved policies and programs based on the best available research and practice.
Critique:
Typical website that includes information regarding ongoing projects and publications and evidence based practices to influence policy and services but the interesting information provided is the online training and resources available for downloads. Included are a comprehensive database of the best available research and information, a compendium of effective and innovative programs and policies, a list of experts and technical assistance resources, and publications that synthesize existing knowledge.
Keywords:
Juvenile justice system, Youth mental health, publications, technical assistance
 

The National GAINS Center for People with Co-Occurring Disorders in the Justice System
Website: http://www.gainsctr.com/
Level: National
Site Provider:
Policy Research Associates (PRA), a private organization, hosts this site.  The National GAINS Center gathers information designed to influence the range and scope of mental health and substance abuse services provided to people in contact with the justice system.  The Center tailors these materials to the specific needs of localities and provides technical assistance to help them plan, implement and operate appropriate, cost-effective programs.  As with other PRA organizations it has a partnership with SAMHSA and other national and state organization, public and private, for profit and not for profit.
The projects cover issues for both adults and juveniles.  There is also a special focus on diversion.
Critique:
Good links divided up by government, professional, etc.  The site also contains some good policy info in the articles that can be ordered under Publications.
Key words:
Criminal Justice, Substance Abuse, Technical Assistance, juvenile, adult
 

National Mental Health Association
Website: http://www.nmha.org/
Level: National
Site Provider:
The National Mental Health Association is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide, NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans through advocacy, education, research and service.
Critique:
Includes legislative/policy alerts and free downloads on new publication. Advocacy on local, state, and federal level with extensive information for family and children and consumers with addition to a consumer support page. Mental health information also included resource, fact sheet and prevention.
Keywords:
advocacy, education, legislative information
 

National Mental Health Information Center
Level: National
Website: http://www.mentalhealth.org/
Site Provider:
The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration is the provider of this site.  This is a U.S. government mega-website on mental health that includes professional information such as conferences, funding information, new government initiatives in the area of mental health and current CMHS programs.  Current programs include suicide, meeting the needs of mental health for children and adolescents, Consumer/Survivor services, Community Support Programs and Homeless Programs.
Critique:
The site contains information and resources about mental health issues which are also available by state. It includes information in Spanish and has a section specifically targeted toward kids.  Access to Medline and National Academies Press is also provided.
Site has a government perspective.  For example, while it discusses poverty as an underlying reason for poverty, it does not explicitly discuss lack of accessibility to and insufficiency of government support as a reason.  Access to Medline can be very useful.
Key words:
Homelessness, Government, Statistics, national academies press
 

National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness
Website: http://www.nrchmi.com/
Level: National
Site Provider:
Policy Research Associates, a private organization hosts this site.  The Resource Center provides technical assistance and “identifies and synthesizes knowledge.”  This is also a government-related site.  It has a huge database (7,800) of journal article abstracts about mental health, substance abuse and homelessness.  Strong affiliations with SAMHSA.
Critique:
This site contains a particularly extensive set of links to other government and nonprofit websites.  While journal articles tend to be treatment rather than policy oriented, there is policy related material, but you must search for it.  The site has a government orientation and makes an effort to appear balanced in their presentation.
Keywords:
Technical assistance, Database, Substance abuse, Homelessness
 

New Freedom Commission on Mental Illness
Website: www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/
Level: National
Site Provider:
The White House: New Freedom Commission on Mental Illness
Critique:
The President established the New Freedom Commission on Mental Illness in April 2002.  Its mission is to conduct a compressive study of the United States mental health service delivery system, including public and private providers and to advise the President on methods of improving the system
Keywords:
policy, service delivery, research
 

Rand Institute for Civil Justice
Website: www.rand.org/icj/research/health.html
Level: Regional
Site Provider:
Rand Institute for Civil Justice
Critique:
Rand was begun on May 14, 1948.  It is an independent nonprofit organization and its mission is to help improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis. It is also a center for education and training in policy analysis.
Keywords:
civil justice, analysis, policy
 

Screening for Mental health, Inc. (formerly the National Mental Illness Screening Project)
Website: http//www.mentalhealthscreening.org
Level: National
Site Provider:
Screening for Mental Health, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the coordination of mental health screening programs nationwide.  Their mission was inspired by the positive achievements of National Depression Screening Day. They are also committed to “ensure cooperation, professionalism, and accountability in mental health screening”.
Critique:
This comprehensive web site on mental health screening is useful for both individuals concerned about specific mental health issues and larger organizations wanting to provide screening for various mental health issues.  The site offers information about when and how to attend a screening, as well as how to host one.  There is detailed information on number of different mental health diagnoses, such as depression, eating disorders and bipolar disorder.  The site is easy to navigate and provides a lot of important contact information to other mental health organizations as well as links to other mental health related web sites.
Keywords:
diagnosis, mental health screening, depression
 

Treatment Advocacy Center
Website: www.citizen.org/eletter/depression.htm
Level: Regional
Site Provider:
Public Health Research Group in consultation with the Treatment Advocacy Center.
Critique:
It is a reference site used in an ongoing partnership between doctor and patient in the vigilant management of the patient’s health. Give good information on Manic Depression( Bipolar Disorder), Major Depression and Schizophrenia.
Keywords:
Patient, doctor, health, bipolar, depression, schizophrenia
 

Win Human Rights in the Mental Health System
Website: www.mindfreedom.org/
Level: International
Site Provider:
Support Coalition International: Win Human Rights in the Mental Health System
Critique:
The site is a good source for information on forced drugging and on the National Alliance for Mentally III Escalates Chemical Crusade.
Keywords:
Human Rights, and forced drugging
 

The World Federation for Mental Health
Website: http://www.wfmh.org/
Level: International
Site Provider:
The WFMH was founded in 1948 to advance, among all peoples and nations, the prevention of mental and emotional disorders, the proper treatment and care of those with such disorders, and the promotion of mental health on the international level.
Critique:
Links to Mental Health Resources such as World Health Organization and Mental Disability Rights International which gives you a good idea of what is going on in other countries regarding mental health but the website is not extensive in the information it provides. The website provides regional news, information regarding conferences, world mental health day and quarterly newsletter.
Keywords:
Mental health conferences, Advocacy, Public education
 

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute
Level: National
Website: http://depts.washington.edu/links/alphindx.htm
Site Provider:
The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute is a multidisciplinary research center at the University of Washington.  Its mission is to support and facilitate research and research dissemination in the field of alcohol and drug abuse.
Critique:
This section of the ADAI website is extremely helpful as it provides an alphabetical list of links to sites for substance abuse policy, centers,treatments, journals and more.
Key Words:
Alcohol and drug abuse, drug abuse policy
 

Drug Policy Project
Level: National
Website: http://fas.org/drugs/
Site Provider:
The Drug Policy Project is a site created by the Federation of American Scientists (FAS).  The FAS is a non-profit organization founded in 1945.  Its goal is to bring the scientific perspective to public policy.  The Project has two ongoing activities, the quarterly Drug Policy Analysis Bulletin and FAS ADAPT (Analysis and Dialogue for Drug-abuse Policies and Tactics).  The Bulletin publishes concise articles that bring research and analysis to bear on the problems of drug abuse control.  FAS ADAPT brings together opinions of experts from diverse disciplines and political views to define drug policies.
Critique:
This website has an array of full text articles on different topics within the subject of drug abuse.  Some of the very helpful articles are using crack and pregnancy, punishment and drug use, and important principles of a drug policy.
Key Words:
Drug policy
 

ERIC, the Educational Resources Information Center
Level: National
Website: www.ericfacility.net/ericdigests/ed355651.html
Site Provider:
ERIC is funded by the Institute of Educational Sciences (IES).The non-profit organization ERIC produces a variety of publications and provides user assistance.
Critique:
This site is especially helpful if writing or trying to understand the foundations of substance
abuse policy.  It describes what substance abuse policy should look like.  Including; why it is important, what it should include, how it should be developed and communicated, and legal issues to be considered.
Key Words:
Substance abuse policy, ERIC Digest
 

Medical Use of Marijuana Initiative Statute, Prop. 215
Level: State
Website: www.ss.ca.gov/vote96/html/BP/215.htm
Site Provider:
Medical Use of Marijuana Initiative Statute, Prop. 215 Official title and summary were prepared by the Attorney General of California.  This site provides the text and brief analysis of the proposed law.  It also provides arguments and rebuttals for and against the proposed law.
Critique:
This site is helpful in that it gives the basic facts of the proposed law, but it is the same information found in voter information guides.  The policy analysis provided is brief.
Key Words:
Substance abuse policy, medical marijuana
 

National Center on Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Level: National
Website: http://www.casacolumbia.org
Site Provider:
National Center on Alcohol and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. CASA is a think/action tank that engages all disciplines to study every form of substance abuse as it affects society politically, economically and socially.
Critique:
Website provides good information about substance abuse policy research and analysis, public opinion research, health treatment research and analysis, and program demonstration. Website provides up-to-date announcements about conferences and studies regarding substance abuse research and policy. One can access CASA publications by becoming an online member. Links and resources include funding resources, international resources, state and local resources, and age specific resources.
Keywords:
Substance Abuse Research, Substance Abuse Think Tank, Substance Abuse Policy
 

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
Level: National
Website: http://www.ncadd.org
Site Provider:
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.  National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) is an advocacy group that fights the stigma and disease of alcoholism and other drug addiction.
Critique:
The website provides information about NCADD programs including prevention, intervention, advocacy, and policy strategies. Policy programs include involvement in grassroots organizing at the local level and up-to-date information about current legislation in Congress related to drug and alcohol issues. Provides resources for further information about current policy as well as links to find and contact local representatives.
Keywords:
Substance Abuse, Policy, Advocacy, Alcoholism, Stigma, Drug Addiction
 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services of the US Department of Health and Human Services
Level: National
Website: http://www.samhsa.gov
Site Provider:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services of the US Department of Health and Human Services.  SAMHSA is the Federal agency charged with improving the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative services in order to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to society resulting from substance abuse and mental illnesses.
Critique:
Website provides a wide range of information regarding both substance abuse and mental health services including links to other, more specific agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services. Website includes a clearinghouse of information about statistics, treatment programs, and funding opportunities and information to employee regarding workplace policy and programs. Website best serves as a starting point from which to begin research and a good link to government programs, policy, and departments dealing with substance abuse.
Keywords:
Federal Government and Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Substance Abuse Policy
 

The Substance Abuse Policy Research Program
Level: National
Website: www.saprp.org
Site Provider:
SAPRP is a national program supported by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with direction and technical assistance provided by Wakeforest University School of Medicine.  This site provides up to date research on substance abuse including tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs and related issues.  It also provides links to other sites providing more specific information to each substance.
Critique:
Website provides information about grants and funding for substance abuse policy research. A good resource for those working on substance abuse prevention research that will affect policy at national and/or state level. Provides guidance for proposal writing, announces calls for funding opportunities and information about grants awarded. Provides links to general information about drug and alcohol statistics, criminal justice and substance abuse, newsletters related to substance abuse, current policy related to drug and alcohol, and other funding sources.  This site could be helpful in researching information researching information regarding substance abuse within the population of public assistance recipients, as it had many articles on this topic.
Key Words:
Substance abuse policy, substance abuse, research.
 

Treatment Improvement Exchange
Level: National
Website:  http://www.treatment.org
Site Provider:
Treatment Improvement Exchange (TIE).  The Treatment Improvement Exchange (TIE) is a resource sponsored by the Division of State and Community Assistance of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to provide information exchange between CSAT staff and State and local alcohol and substance abuse agencies. The TIE Contract is funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment,
Critique:
Site provides resources regarding substance abuse treatment on both state and national level. This is very comprehensive and easily navigated site that includes both national and state information about legislation regarding substance abuse treatment, statistics on drug, alcohol, and tobacco use and treatment, funding information for treatment programs. Site also contains articles and links to specific topics related to substance abuse such as criminal justice, child welfare, welfare reform, and dual diagnosis. Provides resources and links to state and federal agencies involved in substance abuse treatment issues. Provides links to both private and federal treatment agencies .
Keywords:
Substance Abuse, Treatment, Substance Abuse Policy, Alcohol and Drug Legislation