Government Grants for All

The Role of Credit Cards in Small Business Financing – 6

Testimony by Dr. Robert J. Lahm, Jr. Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship Jones College of Business Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN

How big of a problem is payment and credit card fraud?
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Tags: Business, Cards, Credit, Financing, Role, Small

Free Grant From Government – The Role of Congressional Representatives

Free grants from government entities can be found within the housing sector.

Government entities such as the Federal Housing Administration and the Housing and Urban Development cabinet position are likely to hand out government grants to people in order to make sure they have a place to live. The best way to get a free grant from the government may in fact be through the earmarking process.

Hector Milla Editor of the “Free Scholarships And Grants” website — http://www.FreeScholarshipsAndGrants.org/free-government-grants-money — pointed out;

“…For example if you are able to contact your Congressional representative and make sure that the project you are advocating for in fact allows for some type of job creation within your local community. If the grant is a proven job creator the congressional representative is more likely to place an earmark in a bill for the project. Getting the project earmarked correctly and bringing dollars back to the community is a great way for you and your congressional representative to gain positive publicity…”

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The process of earmarking is fairly easily, because there are not a lot of long and drawn out steps involved. The earmark is not competitively bid or even looked at by numerous companies who could perform a certain service. The earmark for the grant is specifically targeted to a certain company and in fact will go typically to the congressional representative’s district, but sometimes projects are earmarked by members that are actually outside of their districts. As poor as some of the cities within the states of West Virginia or Eastern Kentucky are it certainly would be hard for them to turn down the idea for a grant involving a small business incubator that they received through the earmarking process.

“…Certain congressional representatives want the earmarking process to be eliminated so people can’t be granted money through this process. One of these Congressman is Arizona’s Jeff Flake. I can guarantee to grant seekers that the earmarking process isn’t going anywhere though. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma has also been an outspoken critic of the way the government hands out grants…” added H. Milla.

Further information about trusted and reputable sources for government grants by visiting; http://www.FreeScholarshipsAndGrants.org/free-government-grants-money

More Free Grant From Government Articles

Tags: Congressional, Free, From, Government, Grant, Representatives, Role

The Government’s Role in Business Grants in the UK

If you are looking for business grants to help you start, refurbish, or relocate your business in the UK, your first step should be to research what is available for business grants in the areas you need like start up or relocating to another area. If you have a business you want to relocate to the UK from another country you may need to see if there are any business grants for such a project available.

A business grant is money that usually pays a part of the expenses you will incur in a move, or setting up a business. You don’t have to repay this or give shares in your business. Various places are available to look into for grants: the Government, European Union, Regional development agencies, small business corporations and others in the private sector as well. These grants can be associated with certain businesses, or a geographical location, especially areas in need of economic boosts from new industry.

The Government

The Government helps with grants to businesses and they assist with networking and advice on getting set up and applying for the grants you qualify for as a business. There is a lot of competition for business grants through the Government, so the guidelines and qualifications are exacting. If you meet the criteria then you can apply and hope you are selected for the grant.

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Government business grants are usually for projected development of projects that haven’t been started yet. Generally the terms and conditions of the grant will allow you to keep the grant unless you break the agreement you have. Then you will have to pay the grant back.

Matching Funds

Most business grants from the Government also mean you have to get matching funds from another source like a loan or funds from other businesses who are investing in the project. Grants are never 100% of the amount needed; you need to show your own participation and come up with some of the capital needed to invest in the relocation.

Sources for Business Grants

There are several sources for business grants in the UK, such as the Government, regional development agencies, Chambers of Commerce, county enterprise boards and even some colleges have business grants. You have to research by the type of business you have and what your plans are for it before you can apply for a grant. Know what you are talking about before going into the entities you are applying to obtain a business grant from. Any office you are going to see is going to want a precise plan of action right down to approximate dates and the profit projections.

Business grants may take some time to get approved too; it all depends on the timetable of the office you have applied to and how many they are looking at. Not everyone can get approved because there is a limited amount of grant money available. One good tip is having your matching money already in a place where you can show you already have that part of the funding. Be organized and able to answer any questions that might be asked of you, including your personal background. The office you apply through is going to do a background check before they ask you anything so you have to be honest in your answers. The criteria vary for places you can apply but they will all want to make sure they are dealing with an up front person who is honest in their conviction to the project and will fulfill the agreement and terms of the grant. With a bit of luck and some determination, you should be getting your project off the ground in no time.

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Tags: Business, Governments, Grants, Role

Free Grant From Government – The Role of Congressional Representatives

Free grants from government entities can be found within the housing sector.

Government entities such as the Federal Housing Administration and the Housing and Urban Development cabinet position are likely to hand out government grants to people in order to make sure they have a place to live. The best way to get a free grant from the government may in fact be through the earmarking process.

Hector Milla Editor of the “Free Scholarships And Grants” website — http://www.FreeScholarshipsAndGrants.org/free-government-grants-money — pointed out;

“…For example if you are able to contact your Congressional representative and make sure that the project you are advocating for in fact allows for some type of job creation within your local community. If the grant is a proven job creator the congressional representative is more likely to place an earmark in a bill for the project. Getting the project earmarked correctly and bringing dollars back to the community is a great way for you and your congressional representative to gain positive publicity…”

The process of earmarking is fairly easily, because there are not a lot of long and drawn out steps involved. The earmark is not competitively bid or even looked at by numerous companies who could perform a certain service. The earmark for the grant is specifically targeted to a certain company and in fact will go typically to the congressional representative’s district, but sometimes projects are earmarked by members that are actually outside of their districts. As poor as some of the cities within the states of West Virginia or Eastern Kentucky are it certainly would be hard for them to turn down the idea for a grant involving a small business incubator that they received through the earmarking process.

“…Certain congressional representatives want the earmarking process to be eliminated so people can’t be granted money through this process. One of these Congressman is Arizona’s Jeff Flake. I can guarantee to grant seekers that the earmarking process isn’t going anywhere though. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma has also been an outspoken critic of the way the government hands out grants…” added H. Milla.

Further information about trusted and reputable sources for government grants by visiting; http://www.FreeScholarshipsAndGrants.org/free-government-grants-money

Find More Free Grants From Government Articles

Tags: Congressional, Free, From, Government, Grant, Representatives, Role

Minority Business Loans Can Play A Key Role In Your Financing

Thousands of entrepreneurs seek minority business loans , and many of them succeed. This type of financing is primarily meant for small businesses that are owned wholly or primarily by individuals from an historically under-represented background in commercial lending. These loans are different than grants and can accommodate special types of products including start up loans.

Minority financing was designed and established to help women and minority business owners develop their businesses, although it has become an exclusive opportunity for women belonging to disadvantaged communities. Applicants are privy to funding that is allied with various banks, federal agencies and business development companies. However, unlike minority business grants, these loans have to be repaid.

The loans can be used for various purposes like business upgrades, expansion, purchasing raw material, machinery, furniture, land, recruitment etc. Financing made available to minority applicants helps encourage female and ethnic minority business owners to start their businesses. There are many financing options open to these business owners including loans. A federal agency called the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) provides resources and information for like-minded entrepreneurs.

The main priority of the Minority Business Development Agency is to grow and aid development of minority owned businesses through the usage of targeted loans. This organization also controls many Business Development Centers which can assist local business owners with writing business plans and more.

The benefits you gain by using loan arrangement services of the Minority Business Development Agency are:

- Realistic interest rates

- Fast Approvals

- Outstanding knowledge by experts against various loan options

- Reaching a number of lenders with just one application

In order to take advantage of minority offered loans, a borrower has to fulfill the following criteria:

-Borrower can be any individual, sole proprietor or individuals who belong to the minority community

-Loans are available for those who are willing to start a minority business or expand an existing one

-Business endeavors should be physically located in a selected, chiefly minority-occupied region

Obtaining minority loan funding is not a difficult process if the proper research is done. Of utmost importance is that the business has a plan in place before applying for funding. The business plan should include a good overview of how your business is going to make money, and crucial to lenders will be accurate financial details. This plan should include information such as exactly how much capital is needed, and what this capital would be used for. The more detailed you can be, the better your chances of approval for the loan. The lender also wants to know how you plan to pay back the loan.

Having a great business plan is only the beginning; it is also necessary to have business credit scores in place. These scores are different from personal credit scores. However, the credit of the business owner is also taken into consideration. It is just as important to have good business credit scores, as it is to have good personal credit scores.

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Tags: Business, Financing, Loans, Minority, Play, Role

Supporting Role

Earlier this month I met leaders of the 5,000-strong supplementary school movement, and was impressed not only by the number and diversity of their schools, but equally by the passionate commitment of their leaders and organisers, many of them undertaking the work for little or no remuneration.

The term “supplementary” is misleading. All good supplementary schools add to the work of mainstream schools; some of them – such as those engaging with undermotivated or disaffected pupils – make a valuable contribution in this respect. A 2001 survey by the National Foundation for Educational Research found that 84% of pupils who attended supplementary schools said it helped them with their mainstream schoolwork.

However, many supplementary schools, serving distinct language and faith communities, provide for educational needs which are not met at all by mainstream schools, but which are integral to the communities concerned and make a vital contribution to their full inclusion within our national life. Britain is proud of its diversity, just as our ethnic minority communities are proud to be British. Supplementary schools strengthen and combine these multiple identities.

We want to see more and better supplementary schools, where there are willing organisers and parental demand. There are three particular ways in which national policy and funding can assist – through extended schools, specialist schools and the teaching and learning of languages.

We want all schools, over time, to become extended schools, offering extra provision at or through their school from 8am to 6pm, enabling young people to widen their horizons and enrich their learning.

Some mainstream schools have long recognised the success of supplementary schools and “host” them collaboratively, encouraging pupils to participate as appropriate and including their supplementary GCSE and A-level results within their own scores for pupils in common.

This is what happens, for example, at the Hellenic school in north London, which meets twice a week at East Barnet school. Nick Christou, East Barnet’s headteacher, is a strong personal supporter of the Greek school and his governors charge it only for running costs to use the premises.

The nationwide development of extended schools is a golden opportunity to foster more and better supplementary schools. There is a strong case for school premises to be made available to bona fide supplementary schools at no or reduced cost, and the government will be encouraging this in its formal guidance on extended schools.

There are also significant opportunities for supplementary schools to engage with specialist schools. The extra annual grant that specialist schools receive to support their specialist subject includes a community element. Specialist schools should use this funding to enhance local provision in their specialist area, which could include supplementary school provision.

This is particularly true of schools adopting a language specialism. Support for “mother tongue” supplementary schools would be a thoroughly appropriate use for any part of the additional funding which a language college receives – not only the community element – which is now higher than for other specialist schools precisely to encourage such innovation. Our future guidance on specialist schools will make this clear.

We have made also it an expectation of all specialist schools that they provide free community use of their specialist facilities under their community plan. I am keen that supplementary and mother-tongue schools get real benefit from this provision.

There are many other ways in which “mother tongue” supplementary schools can work with mainstream schools – for example in the introduction of serious language teaching into primary schools – and we encourage this too.

Last year we launched our national recognition scheme – the Languages Ladder. It provides an alternative qualification route for learners of all ages to have their individual language skills recognised from beginners to experts. I very much hope that supplementary schools will use the Languages Ladder with their pupils.

Many supplementary schools focus on communities which are performing less well in mainstream schools. For example, Park View Academy in Haringey identified the underachievement of black Caribbean and African boys and developed supplementary activities targeted to the needs of a core group. The Somali supplementary school in Kensington and Chelsea, set up in 1998 with the help of dedicated volunteers from the community, provides national curriculum support for children aged six to 16 as well as mother tongue classes.

There may be other ways to support the sector to grow in size and confidence. Paul Morrish, who organises the excellent Supplementary Schools Resource Unit, is looking to develop an independent trust to support supplementary schools nationally. I look forward to discussing this idea with him.

But it is essential not to compromise the special ingredients of the sector which underpin its success: self-organisation, self-help and innovation. We want to encourage and support supplementary schools – not nationalise them.

· Lord Adonis is the junior schools minister

Tags: Role, Supporting

Top Us Generals Reject War Tsar Role for Iraq and Afghanistan

Three retired generals approached by the White House about a new high-profile post overseeing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and reporting directly to the president have rejected the proposed post, leaving the administration struggling to find anyone of stature willing to take it on.

One of the four-star generals said he declined because of the chaotic way the war was being run and because Dick Cheney, the vice-president and the leading hawk in the Bush administration, retained more influence than pragmatists looking for a way out.

The deputy White House spokeswoman, Dana Perino, confirmed yesterday that George Bush was considering restructuring the administration to create a new post, dubbed the war tsar by US media. It would involve co-ordinating the work of the defence, state and other departments at what she described as a critical stage in the wars. One of the retired generals approached, Marine General John Sheehan, told the Washington Post: “The very fundamental issue is they don’t know where the hell they’re going.”

The unwillingness of the generals to take the job undermines recent attempts by the Bush administration to put a positive spin on the Iraq war. Mr Bush has claimed repeatedly over the past few weeks that there are signs his strategy of pouring extra US troops into Baghdad and neighbouring Anbar province is working.

The proposal to create the job comes after the departure of Meghan O’Sullivan, the 37-year-old who had the top national security council job on Iraq and Afghanistan. She was responsible for policy but had no power to implement it. The proposed war tsar would have the power to issue orders, and would be answerable directly to the president and his national security adviser, Stephen Hadley.

Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the national security council, said the White House had sought advice from a number of people about the job but insisted it had not been offered to anyone. “The White House is looking into creating a higher profile position that would have the single, full-time focus on implementing and executing the recently completed strategic reviews for both Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Gen Sheehan said Mr Cheney and his allies “are still in the positions of most influence” in spite of two leading pragmatists, the defence secretary, Robert Gates, and the secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, winning support in the past four months for a diplomatic approach. After two weeks of discussing the job with Mr Hadley, Gen Sheehan rejected it: “So rather than go over there, develop an ulcer and eventually leave, I said, ‘No, thanks.’”

Mr Cheney last week reiterated claims of links between al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein’s Iraq in spite of newly released US intelligence assessments saying there had been no evidence. Mr Cheney, unlike Mr Gates and Ms Rice, also favours air strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites.

The US continued to put pressure on Iran yesterday. Major-General William Caldwell, a US military spokesman, in Baghdad yesterday repeated claims that Tehran was supplying Iraqi insurgents with explosive devices used in ambushes on US and British troops but also claimed Iran was training insurgents to use the explosives. He said the information had been gleaned from interrogation of detainees as recently as this month, some of whom said they had been in Iranian training camps. “We know that they [the explosive devices] are being in fact manufactured and smuggled into this country, and we know that training does go on in Iran for people to learn how to assemble them and how to employ them,” he said.

Tags: Afghanistan, General's, Iraq, Reject, Role, Tsar

Dwindling Numbers: A Look at the Primary Care Physician Role

As the most visited physician in America, the primary care physician (or PCP) is responsible for the overall care of the patient. A PCP has received postgraduate training in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics or obstetrics and gynecological medicine. Their post graduate training in one or more of these fields prepares the PCP to manage the care of his or her patients. Typically, the PCP spends 3 years after medical school in residency. Once completed, the physician will be ready to treat a variety of types of patients, and a multitude of diseases.

Once through the required training, the primary care physician typically goes to work in a private practice, or for a hospital health system. Office hours are usually scheduled, and typically the call duties for the private practice are delegated amongst the participating physicians. The PCP will typically split their day between patient appointments and hospital rounds. Usually, this time is spent using diagnostic techniques, administering and evaluating treatments and prescribing medication. The primary care physician is responsible for preventative care, and common diagnostics like blood or urine testing. While dealing with emergency issues is rare for a PCP, it is often their job to follow up and set a long-term course of treatment for patients who are recovering from a serious condition. The PCP often makes referrals to specialists, as well as admits patients to the hospital from the private practice. It is for this reason that the PCP is often called the “gatekeeper.”

In the event that a patient has a condition that would be best treated by someone who has a focus in that area of medicine, the PCP will make a referral to a specialist. The specialist will maintain close contact with the primary physician to create a thorough and effective treatment plan for the patient. There is often a close business relationship between PCPs and specialists, because the PCP has the ability to drive business to a specific specialist. Although the patient doesn’t necessarily have to choose that particular specialist, the recommendation of a trusted PCP can often bring more business their way. The salary for a primary care physician, who chooses to work in private practice or in a hospital-affiliated practice, is usually between $100,000 and $200,000 yearly. The average salary is approximately $127,000, but it is important to consider that the amount will vary based on location and population density. It is also important to consider the size of the private practice, as well as the economic conditions of the area.

The United States of America is currently experiencing a shortage of primary care physicians. With specialists making more money, and contributing fewer hours, many medical students are choosing specialty over primary care. The PCP plays a crucial role in our health care system, as the “gatekeeper” to specialized care. Additionally, the PCP is responsible for maintaining a connection with patients, forming lasting bonds that will build better health within the community. Thus, the PCP will always be needed.

Tags: Care, Dwindling, look, Numbers, Physician, Primary, Role

Comparison in the Role of a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and Psychiatric Technician (PT)

In the field of medicine and health care, the job profile of a LVN, that is to say, a Licensed Vocational Nurse, and a Psychiatric Technician are often used in relation with one another. However, the two professions vary greatly and each of them entails entirely disparate job qualifications, responsibilities and expectations.

In general, Licensed Vocational Nurses are also referred to as Licensed Practical Nurses or LPNs. The job profile and the term used for a Licensed Vocational Nurse often vary from region to region, depending upon country specific criterion. For example, while the term is Licensed Vocational Nurse in California and Texas, the term used in Australia and New Zealand is Enrolled Nurse.

On an average, a Licensed Vocational Nurse can be expected to undertake simple as well as intricate medical responsibilities, but these can be performed only under the specific supervision of a physician or a registered nurse. All Licensed Vocational Nurses can register medicine dosages, and in some regions they can be expected to fulfill other responsibilities as well. These responsibilities range from having to initiate IV medications and administering the IV push medications, administering wound and injury care, to maintaining records of patients. A Licensed Vocational Nurse is also expected to collect blood and urine samples when these are needed for lab testing.

Also, a Licensed Vocational Nurse can be asked to perform straightforward lab diagnostic and analysis practices such as urine- analysis as well. The work of Licensed Vocational Nurses is not limited to only hospitals. They can work in hospitals and clinics under the express supervision of physicians, and they can also work in long- term health care facilities where they sometimes might be assigned the responsibility of over- seeing the work of orderlies and nursing assistants. Another responsibility of a Licensed Vocational Nurse is to monitor the patient’s vital signs such as body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation.

In the United Kingdom, where Licensed Vocational Nurses are often referred to as State Enrolled Nurses, they are expected to aid in drawing blood samples of patients, record the readings of the ECG and also change wound dressings as and when they are so required. In the United States, it is compulsory for a prospective Licensed Vocational Nurse to have completed high school at least after which there are a number of programs that the candidates are expected to sit for and qualify, depending on their individual aspirations.

The responsibilities of a Psychiatric Technician might oftentimes appear to resemble that of a Licensed Vocational Nurse, but the difference lies in the respective fields of work. While a Licensed Vocational Nurse can be of assistance to a physician or a registered nurse on a wide variety of medical responsibilities, Psychiatric Technicians specifically deal with medical responsibilities arising in the field of Psychology. A Psychiatric Technician is expected to work with a medical team providing professional services, in the capacity of assisting individuals suffering from problems arising out of developmental and emotional difficulties.

Psychiatric Technicians are involved in the process of working with people who suffer from psychological ailments such as dementia, depression and psychosis, when these conditions are causing visible and palpable mental distress as well as emotional duress to the patient. It is important for those looking to take up the profession of a Psychiatric Technician to have studied pharmacology for Psychiatric Technicians are expected to be educated in the field of administering and understanding medication in terms of drug standards, dosages requires and the effects of different medicines in contexts of different psychological issues.

A Psychiatric Technician works under a psychiatrist, a registered nurse or any other category of mental health workers, and forms an important and integral part of a medical team.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts offers LVN/LPN programs and Psychiatric technician programs through their campuses in California.

Tags: Comparison, Licensed, Nurse, Psychiatric, Role, Technician, Vocational

Why Nurse Recruiters Serve an Important Role in the Medical Community

Let’s face it, nursing is in VERY high demand these days, and although there are many nurse recruiters out there who are actively trying to get the best nurses to the hospitals who are in need of them, something should be taken into consideration: the importance of them specifically in the medical community.

The recruiters don’t just recruit for money, for the most part. Most will tell you that he or she has a passion for staffing hospitals and medical centers. Since there is and has traditionally been such a high-demand for nurses, this means a lot of personal fulfillment; not just for those who recruit, but for those who are hired as well as those who do the hiring: not to mention, the patients they all serve, ultimately.

One of the biggest challenges that recruiters face has to do with the fact that there are an over-abundance of nurses who are and will become available; this is a highly competitive business, the world of nursing. There are ways to entice individuals to certain hospitals, and have been traditionally used to do so. Many nurses who are already in positions will, at times, see what other hospitals have to offer. Nursing itself is a very demanding job, with sometimes the worst hours, long shifts, and other such worries.

The recruiters know how demanding this job is, however. It is their job to make it sound as enticing as is possible. One of the angles used to entice nurses to open positions, is to find out what the nurse likes about his or her current job. Once the dislikes are found out, a recruiter can work from there, as well as improving the good points, hopefully. Nurses ultimately know what will or will not work for them, however.

One thing that nurse recruiters should never do, is promise a nursing candidate something that is not deliverable. How disappointing it can be for a nurse to obtain another position, only to find that he or she will not get something promised, never mind that other things might have been blown up, way out of proportion! This is a good reason why many nurses are hesitant to even work with a recruiter in the first place, although typically hospitals do not want to work with individuals; the recruiters usually perform a screening on each one, which is highly desired by hospitals for insurance purposes.

If you are a nurse, please bear in mind that there are many recruiters out there who are dedicated toward getting you the nursing job of your dreams, if you are currently disgruntled with the job you have. While thinking about going through a recruiter, don’t be afraid to ask what his or her history is and verify the information you are given. If you are a recruiter, remember that nurses are your clients just as much as the hospital is. Treat them both with respect and dignity, and your commissions will be not only forthcoming, but in abundance as well.

Tags: Community, Important, Medical, Nurse, Recruiters, Role, Serve