Saturday, December 7, 2013

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Selection of Dr. Timothy Sands as Next President of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

English: Athletics logo for Virginia Polytechn...
English: Athletics logo for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement this evening following the news that Dr. Timothy Sands will become the next president of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).

“I want to congratulate Dr. Timothy Sands on his selection to lead Virginia Tech forward as the 141 year old institution’s 16th president. Dr. Sands has big shoes to fill. The legacy of Dr. Charles Steger is one of incredible growth and achievement at Virginia Tech, and I know the Virginia Tech community, and our entire Commonwealth, will forever be grateful for his leadership and vision. Now, Dr. Sands takes on the responsibility, and the tremendous honor, of serving as the leader of an outstanding Virginia university. His background demonstrates his readiness for this undertaking and his academic career has prepared him well to lead Virginia Tech. I look forward to watching Dr. Sands continue to make Virginia Tech an even stronger university in the years ahead.”
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Governor McDonnell Proclaims December 9th-13th School and Campus Safety Week in Virginia

Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Governor Will Hold Campus Safety Event at VCU on December 11th 
Declares December 13th as a Day of Mourning in the Commonwealth to Remember Those Lost at Sandy Hook Elementary

RICHMOND - Citing the critical importance of maintaining safe environments for learning at Virginia’s schools and campuses, Governor Bob McDonnell has proclaimed the week of December 9-13 as School and Campus Safety Week in the Commonwealth. 

To mark School and Campus Safety Week, the governor will speak to students and state and local officials at a special event at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Student Commons Theater on December 11 at 10:30 a.m.  The event will also feature remarks by VCU President Michael Rao, the University’s Associate Provost Charles Klink, and VCU student Brendan Hood.

The governor has also declared December 13th as a Day of Mourning and called for a moment of silence and reflection at 9:30 a.m. on that day to honor those innocent students and teachers who lost their lives in the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, last December.

The governor’s proclamation touches upon the work of Virginia’s School and Campus Safety Taskforce, appointed by the governor in the wake of the killings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and mentions the positive changes that have resulted from the group’s 61 recommendations.  The proclamation also states that “…protecting the more than 1.3 million students in Virginia’s schools is a top priority of state government…,” and  “…we must continue to ensure our law enforcement officials and school administrators have the necessary tools to combat any potential violence.”

Many of the Taskforce members will be in attendance when the Governor speaks at VCU on December 11th, as will Virginia’s Secretaries of Education, Javaid Siddiqi, and Public Safety, Bryan Rhode.

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Governor McDonnell To Propose New Funding to Help Ongoing Efforts to Reduce Homelessness in Virginia

Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell speaking at...
Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell speaking at CPAC. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that his upcoming biennial budget will contain considerable new funding to support Virginia’s ongoing, successful, homelessness reduction and prevention efforts.  The governor will call for over $9.5 million in additional funding for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund, the Rapid Re-Housing Program, and efforts to further enhance data collection.  In 2010, Governor McDonnellestablished Virginia’s first executive housing policy framework, which helped to guide the development of a housing policy in the Commonwealth that addresses homelessness and access to affordable housing.  These efforts have led to a 16% reduction in overall homelessness in Virginia since 2010.

 Speaking about the proposals, Governor McDonnell said, “We have made significant strides in the effort to ensure that every Virginian has a roof over their head.  In 2010, we set a goal of decreasing homelessness during this Administration by 15 percent and we are pleased that we have exceeded that goal with a 16 percent reduction in overall homelessness over the last four years, as well as a 17 percent decline in family homelessness. Between 2012 and 2013 homelessness among Virginia’s veterans dropped 18 percent. This is progress, but there is much more to be done to ensure that every Virginian has a place to call home and access to the tools they need to get back on their feet and become thriving members of their communities.  That is why we are directing over $9.5 million in new funding over the next biennium to assist in these efforts.  This funding will continue the progress we have made and strengthen the great work being done through the Virginia Housing Trust Fund and the Rapid Re-Housing Program.”

The governor’s budget provides the following funding towards homelessness assistance and prevention:

Virginia Housing Trust Fund
·         Establishes $4 million in general fund appropriation in each year of the biennium for the Virginia Housing Trust Fund.

·         The funding supports efforts to reduce homelessness by providing low-interest loans and grants through eligible organizations.

Rapid Re-Housing Program
·         Provides an additional $500,000 in each year of the biennium for the rapid re-housing program, which brings the total for the program to $1 million in each year.
·         The program assists households experiencing homelessness to quickly obtain permanent housing.

·         Adds $585,413 the first year and $91,782 the second year in general fund appropriations to support the development and implementation of a new statewide application to increase the accuracy and reliability of homeless data collection.
·         The new database system will help to evaluate the successfulness of the programs being administered throughout the Commonwealth and to establish new avenues for aid to this population.
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Governor McDonnell Proclaims December 9th-13th School and Campus Safety Week in Virginia

Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Governor Will Hold Campus Safety Event at VCU on December 11th 
Declares December 13th as a Day of Mourning in the Commonwealth to Remember Those Lost at Sandy Hook Elementary

RICHMOND - Citing the critical importance of maintaining safe environments for learning at Virginia’s schools and campuses, Governor Bob McDonnell has proclaimed the week of December 9-13 as School and Campus Safety Week in the Commonwealth. 

To mark School and Campus Safety Week, the governor will speak to students and state and local officials at a special event at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Student Commons Theater on December 11 at 10:30 a.m.  The event will also feature remarks by VCU President Michael Rao, the University’s Associate Provost Charles Klink, and VCU student Brendan Hood.

The governor has also declared December 13th as a Day of Mourning and called for a moment of silence and reflection at 9:30 a.m. on that day to honor those innocent students and teachers who lost their lives in the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, last December.

The governor’s proclamation touches upon the work of Virginia’s School and Campus Safety Taskforce, appointed by the governor in the wake of the killings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and mentions the positive changes that have resulted from the group’s 61 recommendations.  The proclamation also states that “…protecting the more than 1.3 million students in Virginia’s schools is a top priority of state government…,” and  “…we must continue to ensure our law enforcement officials and school administrators have the necessary tools to combat any potential violence.”

Many of the Taskforce members will be in attendance when the Governor speaks at VCU on December 11th, as will Virginia’s Secretaries of Education, Javaid Siddiqi, and Public Safety, Bryan Rhode.


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Governor McDonnell Announces $2.2 Million in Appalachian Regional Commission Grants

Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell speaking at...
Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell speaking at CPAC. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Grants leverage cultural, natural, community, structural and economic assets in Southwest Virginia

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced $2.2 million in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grants for 10 projects in the ARC region, which encompasses 25 counties and eight independent cities in Southwest Virginia.

“ARC funds are part of an economic development strategy to spur growth in the Appalachian region,” said Governor McDonnell. “We are encouraging development in communities that are poised for future growth by funding projects such as infrastructure, education, tourism and entrepreneurship support.”

Established in 1965, the general goal of the ARC program is to assist the region in achieving economic prosperity that more completely reflects the nation’s overall prosperity. ARC funds are broadly aimed at providing economic development in the Appalachian Region by funding projects such as infrastructure, entrepreneurship support and workforce development.  The grants support the goal of building a strong and sustainable asset-based economy by bringing jobs and prosperity to Appalachian communities while preserving their character.

2013 Virginia Appalachian Regional Commission Program Grants:
Applicant
Project Name
ARC Award
New College Foundation
New College Center of Excellence
$   200,000
The Highland Center
Attracting New Residents to Highland County
$   50,000
Emory and Henry College
Creation of classrooms with lab facilities for Emory and Henry College School of Health Sciences
$   500,000
People Incorporated Financial Services
People Incorporated Financial Services Small Business Boot Camp
$   75,513

The Crooked Road
Crooked Road Economic Impact Assessment
$   10,000
Mountain Empire Community College
Mountain Empire College Access Initiative
$   99,612
Town of Big Stone Gap
Big Stone Gap Visitors Center
$   51,294
Wise County Public Service Authority
Roda, Osaka and Stonega Sewer Project – Phase I
$   500,000
St. Paul IDA
Willis Building Renovation
$   500,000
Town of Haysi
Haysi Trails Center Development Project
$   288,564

Total
$   2,272,938

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What’s Causing the Rise in ADHD?

English: Percent of Youth 4-17 ever diagnosed ...
English: Percent of Youth 4-17 ever diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: National Survey of Children's Health, 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Dr. Mercola
According to a 2010 US government survey,1 1 in 10 American children now has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—a 22 percent increase from 2003.
ADHD makes it hard for children to pay attention and control impulsive behavior, and an increasing number of older children, including high school students, are now being labeled as having ADHD. Adult ADHD is also becoming more prevalent.
As reported by the Las Vegas Guardian Express,2 nearly 11 percent of American kids are labeled with the disorder. More than twice as many boys are diagnosed with ADHD than girls—one in five, compared to one in 11. The featured article speculates about the cause behind these rising numbers.
Some experts feel the increase could be due to increased awareness and better diagnosis, but I think you’ll find it interesting that this trend also coincides with increased prevalence of the pervasive weed killer, glyphosate, in the American food supply.
There’s also plenty of room for overdiagnosis. In fact, an ADHD diagnosis is often made on the subjective observations of teachers or guardians, based on signs that nearly every child will display at some point. Aggravating factors, such as diet or home environment, are oftentimes overlooked entirely.
The featured article actually points out some interesting correlations between ADHD diagnoses and changes to the American educational system that might help explain how, if not why, so many children are misdiagnosed or flat out falsely diagnosed.

What Is ADHD?

But before we get into potential causes for the uptick in prevalence, let’s review how ADHD is qualified in the first place. The disorder involves a cluster of symptoms that includes inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behaviors.
Often, children with ADHD struggle in school and have difficulty managing interpersonal relationships. They also tend to suffer from low self-esteem. The similar term attention deficit disorder (ADD) has largely been replaced with ADHD, as it describes two of the most common symptoms of the condition, inattention, and hyperactive-impulsive behavior.
Diagnosing ADHD really comes down to a matter of opinion, as there is no physical test, like a brain scan, that can pinpoint the condition. This could change, however. According to a recent study, a newer MRI method called magnetic field correlation imaging that can detect low iron levels in the brains of children with ADHD could potentially help parents and patients make better informed decisions about treatment. As reported by Medicine.net:3
Psychostimulant drugs used to treat ADHD affect levels of the brain chemical dopamine. Because iron is required to process dopamine, using MRI to assess iron levels in the brain may provide a noninvasive, indirect measure of the chemical, explained study author Vitria Adisetiyo... If these findings are confirmed in larger studies, this technique might help improve ADHD diagnosis and treatment...
The [magnetic field correlation imaging] scans revealed that the 12 ADHD patients who'd never been treated with psychostimulant drugs such as Ritalin had lower brain iron levels than those who'd received the drugs and those in the control group. The lower iron levels in the ADHD patients who'd never taken stimulant drugs appeared to normalize after they took the medicines.”
At present, diagnosis is dependent on subjective evaluation, and, for better or worse, teachers can play a significant role in this evaluation. Most children with ADHD will display a combination of inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior, along with the following symptoms:4
Frequent fidgeting or squirmingDifficulty playing quietlyAlways seems on the go
RestlessnessExcessive talking and interrupting othersDifficulty waiting his or her turn
Frequent daydreamingFrequently has problems organizing tasks or activitiesDifficulty following through on instructions and apparently not listening

Many of these “symptoms” could describe virtually any child, or most children, on any given day. Hence, those who display these symptoms at school but not at home or with friends are not considered to have ADHD. Ditto for children who display symptoms at home but not at school.

Only children who struggle with inattention and hyperactive or impulsive behaviors around the clock are deemed to have ADHD—or at least they should be. According to a 2010 study,5 an estimated 20 percent of children are misdiagnosed with ADHD.
According to some, the disorder may not even be a “real” disorder at all. Psychiatrist Leon Eisenberg, hailed as the “scientific father of ADHD,” actually went on record saying that ADHD is “a prime example of a fictitious disease.” He made this stunning confession in a 2012 interview with the German paper Der Spiegel, just seven months prior to his death6 at the age of 87.

How the American School System May Be Promoting ADHD Diagnoses

At least part of the rise in prevalence could be attributed to inappropriate diagnosis. As reported in the featured article, there’s an interesting correlation between the rise in ADHD diagnoses and the implementation of the US Elementary and Secondary Education Act known as “No Child Left Behind” (NCLB). The program was implemented nationwide in 2002.
The NCLB standardized teaching methods across the US which, contrary to what the name implies, does leave a lot of kids “behind,” in the sense that brighter children frequently end up bored and discouraged from lack of academic challenge. And bored, discouraged children will oftentimes “act out.”
“Now with the implementation of CORE standards, who some describe as NCLB on steroids, there is a chance the ADHD numbers may climb even more,” the article predicts.7
But there’s more to this story...
“Another study, published by the Child Mind Institute, states there might be another incentive behind the rise, and that is the financial benefit to schools. Many schools, especially those where the tax base is much poorer... rely heavily on federal funding to operate.
Long before NCLB was enacted, many of these districts had already enacted ‘consequential accountability statutes,’” which penalized a school when children failed; however, often scores for children diagnosed with ADHD are not counted... thereby helping to ensure the passing test scores of the class as a whole.
Geographically speaking, children in the South are diagnosed far more often with ADHD than children living in Western states by a rate of nearly 63 percent. North Carolina, one of the first states to implement consequential accountability statutes, stands at a ADHD diagnosis rate of over 16 percent; California, one of the last states to implement these policies, ranks at only 6.2 percent. The difference is staggering.”

Raising a Generation of Drug Users

About two-thirds of the children diagnosed with ADHD are on some form of prescription medication, and oftentimes the side effects are far worse than the condition itself. These drugs actually rival illegal street drugs in terms of their dangerous risks to health, which include:
Permanent brain damageCardio toxicity and liver damageCancer
Changes in personality, depression, and/orhallucinationsHeart attack and strokeSudden death and suicide

Sadly, tens of thousands of American kids are now prescribed dangerous antipsychotic drugs before the age of five—some even before reaching 12 months of age, hard as that is to imagine. Children in the Medicaid system are at greatest risk for overdiagnosis. Data shows they’re prescribed antipsychotic medications four times more often compared to those with private insurance.8
The price we pay as a society for drugging our children out of objectionable behavior patterns is steep. In children, the long-term effects of drugs are typically largely unknown, while in the short term, we’ve seen shocking increases in violent and aggressive acts committed by teens taking one or more psychotropic drugs.
These children are also likely to experience health problems as they mature into adulthood. Just look at what happens to street junkies through time, and then consider that Ritalin has a more potent effect on your brain than cocaine... Being raised firmly within the drug paradigm from an early age may also make them more likely to opt for drug treatment for other ailments rather than exploring other options.

What Causes Behavioral Difficulties?

Behavioral problems clearly do exist, and do appear to be more prevalent than in decades past, with or without the ADHD label. The question on everyone’s mind is what’s causing it? The cause of ADHD remains elusive, although there are many contending culprits, including poor nutrition and environmental toxins ranging from food- and vaccine additives to agricultural chemicals.
For example, a 2006 study9 found that a mother's use of cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs during pregnancy could increase the risk for ADHD. The study also suggested that exposure to lead and/or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can cause ADHD symptoms. Pesticide exposure has also been linked with ADHD.
Unfortunately, few are focusing on basic nutrition, which I believe is a key factor. We know that the food choices of most children and adults today are incredibly poor, and how can you possibly expect a child to have normal behavior if he is fed refined grains,sugars, and processed foods loaded with chemicals and largely devoid of natural nutrients?

Five Dietary Factors to Address if Your Child Has ADHD

Five dietary factors of particular concern are the following. If your child struggles with behavioral difficulties, whether he or she has been diagnosed with ADHD or not, I strongly recommend addressing all of these factors:
  • Too much sugar. High sugar content and starchy carbohydrates lead to excessive insulin release, which can lead to falling blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, in turn, causes your brain to secrete glutamate in levels that can cause agitation, depression, anger, anxiety, and panic attacks.
  • Besides that, sugar promotes chronic inflammation in your body, and many studies have demonstrated the connection between a high-sugar diet and worsened mental health.
  • Gluten sensitivity. The evidence10, 11 suggesting that gluten sensitivity may be at the root of a number of neurological and psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, is quite compelling. According to a 2011 study,12 celiac disease is “markedly overrepresented among patients presenting with ADHD,” and a gluten-free diet has been shown to significantly improve behavior in kids. The study went so far as to suggest celiac disease should be added to the ADHD symptom checklist.
  • Too few beneficial bacteria. As explained by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, a medical doctor with a postgraduate degree in neurology, toxicity in your gut can flow throughout your body and into your brain, where it can cause symptoms of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression, schizophrenia, and other mental disorders. Reducing gut inflammation is imperative when addressing mental health issues,13 so optimizing your child’s gut flora is a critical step. To learn more, please see my previous article, “Are Probiotics the New Prozac?
  • Animal-sourced omega-3 deficiency. Research has shown that kids low in omega-3 fats are significantly more likely to be hyperactive, struggle with learning disorders, and display behavioral problems. Omega-3 deficiencies have also been tied to dyslexia, violence, and depression. A clinical study published in 2007 examined the effects of krill oil on adults diagnosed with ADHD.14 In that study, patients improved their ability to concentrate by an average of over 60 percent after taking a daily 500mg dose of krill oil for six months. They also reported a 50 percent improvement in planning skills, and close to 49 percent improvement in social skills.
  • Food additives and GMO ingredients. A number of food additives are thought to worsen ADHD, and many have subsequently been banned in Europe. Potential culprits to avoid include Blue #1 and #2 food coloring; Green #3; Orange B; Red #3 and #40; Yellow #5 and #6; and sodium benzoate, a preservative.
  • Recent research also shows that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, used in large quantities on genetically engineered Roundup Ready crops, limits your body’s ability to detoxify foreign chemical compounds. As a result, the damaging effects of those chemicals and environmental toxins are magnified, and may result in a wide variety of diseases, including brain disorders that can affect behavior.

The Hidden Health Hazards of Glyphosate and GMOs

Glyphosate-contaminated food has recently been implicated in the dramatic rise of both ADHD and autism, the latter of which is clearly more extreme in terms of behavioral difficulties. Still, both problems appear to be rooted to some degree in abnormal gut flora, and this is where glyphosate begins its path of destruction. How severe the effect might be in any given person will likely depend on a wide variety of individual factors, including the mother’s gut health during and at the time of giving birth.
Former US Navy staff scientist Dr. Nancy Swanson has meticulously collected statistics on glyphosate usage and various diseases and conditions, including autism. A more perfect match-up between the rise in glyphosate usage and incidence of autism, shown below, is hard to imagine. To access her published articles and reports, please visit Sustainable Pulse,15 a European Website dedicated to exposing the hazards of genetically engineered foods.
According to Dr. Swanson:16
“Prevalence and incidence data show correlations between diseases of the organs and the increase in Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the food supply, along with the increase in glyphosate-based herbicide applications. More and more studies have revealed carcinogenic and endocrine disrupting effects of Roundup at lower doses than those authorized for residues found in Genetically Modified Organisms... The endocrine disrupting properties also lead to neurological disorders (learning disabilities (LD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism, dementia, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). Those most susceptible are children and the elderly.”

How to Optimize Your Child’s Gut Flora

The two key problems caused by glyphosate in the diet are nutritional deficiencies and systemic toxicity, and your gut bacteria are a key component of glyphosate’s mechanism of harm. Effectively addressing this problem requires a two-pronged approach. First you need to avoid the primary sources of glyphosate, which more or less makes it imperative to avoid processed foods. Secondly, you need to address the damage already done. To reseed your child’s gut with the healthy bacteria (probiotics) necessary for optimal physical, mental, and emotional health, I recommend the following strategies:
  • Avoid processed, refined foods as they promote the growth of pathogenic bacteria, yeast and fungus in the gut. Most processed foods are also high in sugar and fructose, grains (gluten), artificial additives, and genetically engineered ingredients (which tend to be more heavily contaminated with glyphosate)—all the top items that tend to aggravate ADHD symptoms. Also replace sweetened beverages (whether diet and regular), including fruit juices and pasteurized milk, with pure non-fluoridated water.
  • Eat traditionally fermented, unpasteurized foods: Fermented foods are one of the best routes to optimal digestive health, as long as you eat the traditionally made, unpasteurized versions. Some of the beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods are also excellent chelators of heavy metals and pesticides, which will also have a beneficial health effect by reducing your toxic load. Fermented vegetables are perhaps among the most palatable fermented foods. Many kids will also get used to fermented dairy products like kefir.
  • Use a high-quality probiotic supplement. If you cannot get your child to eat fermented foods on a regular basis, a high-quality probiotic supplement may be highly beneficial in correcting abnormal gut flora that contribute to brain dysfunction.

Additional Strategies to Relieve ADHD Symptoms

Besides addressing your child’s nutrition, as described in the two sections above, I also recommend implementing the following strategies:
  • Clear your house of dangerous pesticides and other commercial chemicals.
  • Avoid commercial washing detergents and cleaning products used on clothes, and replace them with naturally derived cleaning products free of added perfumes, softeners, etc.
  • Spend more time in nature. Researchers have found that exposing ADHD children to nature is an affordable, healthy way of controlling symptoms.
  • Investigate sensory therapy and emotional wellness tools. Instead of looking for a quick fix, encourage ADHD sufferers to talk, and find out what emotions are causing issues. You may also want to consider energy psychology tools such as the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to improve emotional coping and healing.
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