Copeland Innerprises

TOUR INFO

PURPOSE OF THE “Rural America Empowerment” TOUR

The purpose of tour is three-fold; first, to inspire and encourage individuals throughout the country not to lose hope during these tough economic times. Second, provide individuals with information and resources that will assist them with the obstacles and crisis they’re facing associated with job loss; home foreclosure; health care assistance after losing their job and health benefits; overcoming barriers to employment, domestic violence, alcohol, drugs and so much more. Third, to teach individuals how to access community resources, use the invaluable information provided, and personally employ strategies to proactively execute and act through initiation, follow-up and follow through. Various agencies, businesses, organizations and experts will be on hand to present information in interactive workshops, or through one on one consultation.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

To inspire, encourage and equip individuals with resources and information to help them not only survive but eventually thrive during these challenging economic times,
To provide individuals with information and resources to re-career in the face of job loss, chronic unemployment and underemployment,
To offer individuals techniques and strategies that will assist them in harnessing their skills, talents and passions to create a viable business,
To coach individuals and families in identifying and applying the attitudes, habits and actions that will enable them to overcome barriers preventing the achievement of self-sufficiency,
To disseminate information and resources to assist in the prevention of home foreclosure, and
To expand awareness of community resources that can support the development of contingency plans of action when faced with unanticipated change, financial challenges, loss of home, employment,

Personal and career setbacks

To provide individuals with information and resources to develop strategies and put together a plan for health and wellness

The “Rural America Empowerment Tour”
Workshops

Employment and Re-careering
Health, Nutrition and Fitness
Entrepreneurship and Business Start-Up Information
Self Determination and Personal Development
Home Foreclosure Prevention and Intervention
Credit Restoration
Home Buying Preparation
Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Intervention
Spiritual Development and Family Strengthening
Rekindling the Masculine Spirit
Resume Critiques

The “Rural America Empowerment Tour”
Youth Summit Workshops
Designed to Reconnect and Reengage Youth in Your Community….

Educational Opportunities
College Preparation
Career Exploration and Career Choice
Self Determination and Personal Development
Entrepreneurship
Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Intervention
Bullying and Teasing Prevention and Intervention
Health, Nutrition and Fitness
Spiritual Development and Personal Success
Leadership Development in Life and Work
Peer and Family Relationships
Boys (Round Table With Wise Men)
Girls (Round Table With Wise Women)

Immediately following the workshops, attendees will have the opportunity to participate and attend The Rural America Empowerment Fair. The Fair will consist of information and service referrals relative to issues surrounding Employment, Health, Housing, Career Makeovers, Domestic Violence, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Gang Prevention, Crime Awareness and Prevention. Additionally, Local Community Resources and Social Service Agencies will be on hand to answer questions and provide you with all of the information you need to navigate the uncertain waters of today’s society.

Detailed below are brief overviews addressing two of the most severe concerns that will be featured during the workshop and Informational Fair: Employment and Health.

Employment
South Carolina’s unemployment numbers reached a new record high in January with an additional 4,500 more people losing their jobs.
The 12.6% rate for January was up two-tenths of a point from December according the figures released by the South Carolina Employment Security Commission.

A record 273,455 are unemployed in South Carolina. Unemployment rates climbed in each of the state’s 46 counties.

Employment Fair Features

Employers
Temp Services
Job Coaches
Resume Preparation and Resume Critique
Interview Preparation Literature
Job Training Program
Continuing Education Programs
Information About Emerging High Demand Industry Sectors

Health Fair

Health Screening
Blood Pressure
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Cancer
Fitness Instructors
Dieticians
Local Health Educators
Wellness Programs

Health
Chronic diseases are the most prevalent and costly health care problems in South Carolina. Many chronic diseases are lifelong conditions, and their impact lessens the quality of life not only to those suffering from the diseases, but also their family members, caregivers and others. According to the American Heart Association, one out of every three American adults has some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

In 2006, South Carolina had the 17th highest death rate for CVD in the nation. In 2007, heart disease and stroke combined remained the leading cause of death in South Carolina, accounting for 29 percent of all deaths and more than 83,000 hospitalizations. The death rate for diseases of the heart for South Carolina’s African-Americans in 2007 was 236.5 per 100,000, compared to 180.3 for whites, a difference of 31 percent.

In 2006, South Carolina had the eighth highest stroke death rate. African-Americans in South Carolina had 17 percent higher stroke death rate than the national African-American rate. In 2007, the death rate in South Carolina for African-Americans was 65 percent higher than for whites.

Cancer continues to be a serious problem in South Carolina. Reviewing the literature for some of the most preventable cancers, which include breast, cervical and colorectal, South Carolinians face greater disease burden than most people in other states.

Overweight/obesity and the associated risk factors of unhealthy eating and inadequate amounts of physical activity increase the risk for developing other chronic conditions and diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, arthritis, sleep apnea, and depression. These chronic conditions result in a significant toll to the health care system. The total cost of obesity in the United States was $117 billion in 2000. Obesity-attributable medical costs for South Carolina alone reached over one billion dollars in 2003.

Youth in South Carolina Need Our Help!

In South Carolina:
A child is born into poverty every 35 minutes.
A child is abused or neglected every 49 minutes.
A child dies before his or her first birthday every 16 hours.
A child or teen is killed by gunfire every 8 days.

South Carolina Ranks:*
38th among states in per pupil expenditures.
Best state is New Jersey; worst state is Utah
47th among states in percent of babies born at low birth weight.
Best states are Alaska, Oregon, and Washington; worst state is Mississippi
48th among states in its infant mortality rate.
Best state is Utah; worst is the District of Columbia
[*1st represents the best state for children and 51st represents the worst state for children in the country]

Child Poverty in South Carolina
Number of poor children (and percent poor) 218,250 (20.9%)
Number of children living in extreme poverty (and percent in extreme poverty) 103,398 (9.9%)
Number of adults and children receiving cash assistance from Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 32,399
Maximum monthly TANF cash assistance for a family of three $205

Child Health in South Carolina
Number of children without health insurance (and percent uninsured) 137,000 (12.2%)
Number of children enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) 59,920
CHIP eligibility: 200 percent of federal poverty ($44,100 for a family of four)
Number of children enrolled in Medicaid 445,826
Children as a percent of total Medicaid enrollment 47.7%
Medicaid expenditures on children as a percent of total Medicaid expenditures 28.6%
Percent of two-year-olds not fully immunized 20.5%

Child Hunger in South Carolina
Number of children who receive food stamps 257,284
Percent of eligible persons who receive food stamps 71%
Number of children in the School Lunch Program 496,133
Number of children in the Summer Food Service Program 65,262
Number of women and children receiving WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program
for Women, Infants, and Children) 114,737

Early Childhood Development in South Carolina
Percent of children under age 6 with all parents in the labor force 65.4%
Number of children served by Head Start 12,248
Number of children served by the Child Care Development Fund/CCDBG 19,700
Average annual cost of child care for a four-year-old in a center $5,460
Percent of 3-year-olds enrolled in state pre-k, Head Start, or special
education programs 19.9%
Percent of 4-year-olds enrolled in state pre-k, Head Start, or special
education programs 54.3%

Education in South Carolina
Amount spent per pupil in the public schools $7,549
Percent of public school fourth graders reading below grade level 74%
Percent of public school fourth graders below grade level in math 64%

Child Welfare in South Carolina
Number of children who are victims of abuse and neglect 10,795
Number of children in foster care 4,920
Number of children adopted from foster care 425
Number of grandparents raising grandchildren 50,206

Youth at Risk in South Carolina
Percent of 16- to 19-year-olds not enrolled in school and not high school graduates 8.5%
Averaged freshman high school graduation rate No data
Percent of 16- to 19-year-olds unemployed 21.6%
Number of juvenile arrests 23,565
Number of children and teens in juvenile residential facilities 1,320
Ratio of cost per prisoner to cost per public school pupil 2.2:1
Number of children and teens killed by firearms: 41
24 homicides; 12 suicides; 5 accidents; and 0 undetermined
Compiled from the most up-to-date data available as of November 2008. The Children’s Defense Fund

Measuring Up 2008 reports that South Carolina's fairly low performance in educating its young population could limit the state's access to a competitive workforce and weaken its economy.

Despite improvement over the decade, the performance of 8th graders in math, science, and writing remains poor.
Only 83% of blacks have a high school credential, compared with 90% of whites.

College opportunities for young and working are poor.

The likelihood of enrolling in college by age 19 is low, primarily because the state has one of the lowest high school graduation rates in the country.
29% of black youth are in college, compared with 40% of whites.

The following reflects South Carolina’s performance and progress since the early 1990s on several key indicators.

Preparation
The percentage of young adults in South Carolina who earn a high school diploma has increased slightly since the early 1990s. High school completion is below the U.S. average and well below the top-performing states.

Participation
College enrollment of young adults in South Carolina has improved substantially since the early 1990s. The state is slightly below the national average and well below the top states in the percentage of young adults enrolled.

The enrollment of working-age adults, relative to the number of residents without a bachelor’s degree, has declined in South Carolina—as it has nationally and in the best-performing states. The percentage attending college in South Carolina is well below the U.S. average and the top states.