 August 2021 Coming in September - Early Intervention (EI) Month Monroe County has dedicated September as Early Intervention (EI) Awareness Month. The County will be collaborating with community organizations, providers, and parents to plan a series of events, starting with the kickoff on September 4.  The County and its partners (including The Children's Agenda) will raise awareness about the Early Intervention Program in Monroe County and the local organizations and agencies that serve children under the age of three with developmental delays or disabilities. One of the goals of the campaign is to increase child and parent knowledge of early intervention programs, so they can make informed advocacy and engagement decisions.
 Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Parents Helping Parents President, Brittany Jencik wrote to the D&C asking Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the Covered Lives Assessment.  Raising Rochester - A New Podcast from TCA  Subscribe to Raising Rochester on your favorite podcast platform! The Children’s Agenda has started a podcast. Hosted by TCA Policy Director Pete Nabozny, “Raising Rochester” will focus on key issues affecting children and families in Rochester and throughout New York State. New episodes will be released every other week consisting of a conversation between Pete and another individual to gain insight on a children/family issue in our community.
Our first episode is an interview with Kim Dooher, parent of a special needs child and co-founder of Parents Helping Parents of Monroe County. You can subscribe to Raising Rochester on your favorite podcast app (click the podcast logos below) or by visiting our website.
Please share this podcast with your friends and family, and feel free to provide feedback directly to Pete.      Violence Hurts our Children’s Mental Health Exposure to violence is among the most detrimental experiences children can have. Children who experience violence are more likely to become ensnared in a cycle of violence that leads to future harmful behaviors including aggression, delinquency, violent crime, and child abuse.
Exposure to violence has been shown to contribute to mental health problems during childhood and adolescence. Psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are found at higher rates among youth exposed to community violence.
Parent leaders working with The Children’s Agenda would like to raise awareness of how violence is affecting our children and families in a march to the Rochester City School District Central Office at 141 West Broad Street.
There is money to address the trauma and mental health struggles children are facing in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Rochester City School Districts Board must use this funding to provide mental health programming and supports in all our schools. Violence has infected our neighborhoods, homes, and community. It is important children receive help now before the cycle of violence begins to play a larger role in their lives.  We invite you to our awareness march starting at 5:30pm on Thursday, September 23, 2021. We will meet at City Hall, 30 Church Street, Rochester NY 14614 then proceed to the RCSD Central Office. Click here to register.
If you would like to play a role in planning for this event, we would welcome ideas and your support. Please bring a sign to show your support.
Please direct all questions to TCA’s Parent Advocacy Coordinator, Carmen Torres at carmen@thechildrensagenda.org. National Grant to Transform Child Care in New York State Exciting news: New York was selected as one of five states by a national funder consortium with the Alliance for Early Success to receive a $1.2 million grant over the next 3 years called “Child Care NEXT” to support the state's efforts to transform child care. The competition was fierce - 36 states applied, and all of the applications were strong. We know one reason New York was chosen was the hard work and ambitious recommendations of the Child Care Availability Task Force.  The New York State groups who led this proposal on behalf of the larger Empire State Child Care Campaign are The Children’s Agenda, the Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy, and the Alliance for Quality Education.  This funding support over the next 3 years is significant for a number of reasons. First, it means NY will be receiving sustained financial and technical support for the Empire State Child Care Campaign’s efforts to transform our child care system. The funding from this grant alone is not enough to fund a full campaign for transformation, but it provides a strong start.
Prayer and Action for Rochester’s Children Children's Interfaith Weekend - Oct. 15-17, 2021  Plans are underway for the Children’s Interfaith Weekend, celebrated on Oct. 15-17 this year! Register your congregation or faith-based group here. Once you do, you’ll receive resources for your worship service or event, as well as information on the advocacy issue that will be the focus this year – mental health services and social-emotional supports for Rochester students. To learn more, contact Brigit Hurley at bhurley@thechildrensagenda.org or (585) 256-2620 ext. 2602.  Worth a Read TCA In the News Other News
August 2021 Donors Miss Toyin Anderson - Dr. Jennifer Banister, Ph.D. - Ms. Jen Cathy - Dr. Ganie DeHart - Mr. Ed Doherty - Ms. Meredith Dragon - The Farash Foundation - Ms. Joan Feinbloom - Ms. Gloria J. Forgione - Greater Rochester Health Foundation - Mrs. Joan Hausladen - Rev. Louise Johnson-Toth and Mr. Gregory Toth - Dr. Edward D. Lewis, MD - Mr. David Liebert and Ms. Nancy Liebert - Dr. Sarah Liebschutz - Dr. Sarah Liebschutz - Mountain Rise United Church of Christ - Mr. Howard Schenker and Ms. Arlene Schenker - Mr. Paul Tremblay and Dr. Jennifer West - Mr. Patrick Walter - Mr. Richard Watkins and Mrs. Estella Watkins - Mr. Brandon E. White Sustaining the work we do together is only a click away. Making a monthly donation to The Children's Agenda supports our efforts to help children who are vulnerable because of poverty, racism, health inequities and trauma.
The Children's Agenda |