From Sara Van Wormer, Project Coordinator and
 Dr. Judith Kovach, Project Manager/Executive Director of the MPA/F

This is an update on the recent events and activities of the Michigan Project for Informed Public Policy (MPIPP). We are still monitoring the anti-discrimination ordinance in Kalamazoo, but are also planning to become active in providing empirical data and research regarding the anti-bullying and second parent adoption bills currently making their way through the Michigan legislature. This Thursday, we will be meeting with Penny Gardner of C.A.R.E.S. to discuss how MPIPP volunteers can contribute to the second parent adoption bill efforts. On April 1st, we will be meeting with Julie Nemecek and Michelle Brown, co-directors of Michigan Equality, to talk about how MPIPP can help provide education regarding anti-bullying measures. A meeting with Jay Kaplan of the ACLU is also in the works.

At this time, we would like to know your interests and/or time availability to work on these upcoming projects. Please respond to this email with a brief note specifying your interest in the anti-bullying and/or second parent adoption legislation efforts.

For current news regarding these topics please see below:

Support the compromise Matt’s Safe Schools bill
http://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=34209

Anti-bullying bill debate continues Oregon study sheds more light on challenges ahead
by Todd Heywood
http://www.pridesource.com/article.shtml?article=34215

______________________________
Sara Van Wormer, Project Coordinator for MPIPP
Dr. Judith Kovach, Project Manager for MPIPP, Executive Director of the MPA/F