October 2021

State of Emergency for America’s Children

On October 19th a "National Emergency in Children’s Mental Health" was declared by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children’s Hospital Association. They called for increased funding for evidence-based mental health screening, diagnosis, and treatment; regulatory changes to improve access to telemedicine; implementation of school-based mental health care; and prevention programs in schools, primary care, and community settings.

That same day the White House issued a new resource to provide evidence-based recommendations for educators, school staff, and mental health providers to create a system of supports for students with behavioral health needs and their families.

In contrast, in Rochester, the news broke that RCSD was placing uniformed police offers at high schools during bus arrival and dismissal and considering a revision to the code of conduct that was adopted in 2016.  

RCSD needs to focus on both prevention and rapid response when a critical incident happens.  Rapid response does not require armed police officers in the building, and The Children’s Agenda stands behind Superintendent Lesli Myers-Small’s clear statement that she does not support that.  All students need sufficient access to social workers and counselors in every school and universal screening for emotional well-being and trauma with referral, follow-up and integrated care.  Our children are acting on the stress and trauma of all they have experienced over the past 18 months. They need mental health and emotional support as they return to school after life-changing disruptions. They do not need a return to the school-to-prison pipeline.

RCSD has received $284 million in federal relief and rescue funds. That money is specifically intended to provide for the educational and economic recovery of our community. For children to learn, they must have support to cope with the trauma caused by COVID-19 and the social, racial, and economic turmoil that accompanied it. 

The Children’s Agenda and 14 parent, student, educator, and advocacy organizations have been calling on RCSD to invest $40 million in research-based restorative practices and social-emotional supports for children over the past 4 months.  They have been joined by dozens of faith communities throughout Monroe County – all so far to little or no avail.  Anything less than spreading mental health supports such as help zones, additional social workers and counselors is a dereliction of our duty to provide for the well-being of our community’s children.   

Related Stories

• Children’s Agenda calling for more resources for students amid increase in violent incidents (WHEC)
• Rochester City School unions ask district to address safety concerns with police, parents balk (WXXI) (City News)
• Parents, children’s organizations question RCSD’s plan to address violence at schools (WROC)
• Talk focuses on supporting mental health needs of children in Rochester (Spectrum News)

Responding to the Triple Threat

The crisis of children’s mental health is acutely felt here in Rochester where we are one of 8 U.S. cities that face the triple threat of COVID-19 vulnerability + lack of mental healthcare + high mental health needs. The threat is especially dire for young people who have faced 18 months of educational disruption, erosion of social networks, and exposure to violence. Supporting our children and young people through this crisis requires transformational investments in our children. We must reorient our priorities to provide children with what they need most. 

Monroe County has $144 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. They are seeking community input on how to use those funds across six priority areas: public safety, public health and wellness, economic recovery, workforce development, infrastructure improvements, and sustainability. 

Attend one of four community forums and tell County government:

• Make Monroe County’s most vulnerable children and families the top priority
• Work with RCSD to provide mental health screening and supports for all school children
• Partner with school-based health centers to add school-based mental health care

Raising Rochester - Episodes 4 & 5 Available Now

Local Government Matters

Local government impacts the lives of children and families every day. We see that most profoundly in county government where vital programs such as Early Intervention for children with developmental delays and Preschool Special Education are administered, nutrition assistance is provided, and emergency and community-based mental health support is available.

City and town governments also play a role in supporting children’s well-being through recreation programs that provide safe and nurturing after-school and summer programs, parks and playgrounds that foster healthy physical activity, libraries that open young minds to new worlds, and youth employment opportunities that develop skills for future careers.

Yet, in Monroe County fewer than half of registered voters cast a ballot in local elections. We can change that this year. Learn about the candidates at https://www.vote411.org/new-york#candidate-and-ballot-measure-information

Be a voter. Vote for kids.

NOTE: Your polling place for November 2nd may have changed. Check where to go here: https://www.monroecounty.gov/etc/voter/

Early Voting Locations

Kids Can't Wait

United in Care and Concern

Monroe County faith communities, community members, and advocates gathered together this month on Children’s Interfaith Weekend to address the surge in social and mental health concerns among children in our region. Events included a community roundtable co-hosted by The Children’s Agenda, Partners In Community Development BIPOC PEEEEEEK and New Born Fellowship Church. The event featured keynote speaker Dr. Myra Mathis, a psychiatrist and graduate of RCSD who spoke about the need for equal access and equity across the mental health system and the unique role faith leaders can play in supporting children and families. 

There was also an interfaith service of prayer and intention co-hosted by The Children’s Agenda and the Rochester Alliance of Communities Transforming Society (Roc/ACTS). The gathering included leaders of Islamic, Jewish, and Christian communities who renewed their commitment to help students recover from the trauma caused by COVID-19 and the social, racial, and economic turmoil that accompanied it.

Additionally, congregations around the county held their own observances of Children’s Interfaith Weekend, inviting their members to sign The Children’s Agenda’s letter calling on RCSD leaders to invest federal and state funds in school climate, students’ mental health, and healing from trauma.

If your congregation wants to get involved, there’s still time. Contact Brigit Hurley at 585-256-2620 extension 2602 or BHurley@thechildrensagenda.org.

Welcome!

TCA in the News

• Connections: How to increase access to mental health services for children in need (WXXI)
• ‘The industry is hurting for staff’: Worker shortages leave local daycares, child care centers in crisis (WROC)
• Bello proposes new agenda to boost early intervention resources across NY (WROC)
• Monroe County Executive Bello calls on Gov. Hochul to expand coverage for early intervention support (WHEC)

October 2021 Donors

Ms. Jen Cathy - Mr. Peter Collinge and Ms. Carol Thiel - Mrs. Amanda Dreher - Mr. James Evinger and Mrs. Ann Evinger - Mr. Joshua Herz - Kenlou Foundation - Dr. Norman Loomis and Mrs. Laura Loomis - M&T Charitable Foundation - Ms. Sarah Mittiga - Peace of Christ Parrish - Mr. Richard Schwartz and Mrs. Vicki Schwartz - Mrs. Sally States - Kathy L. Strong Fund - Mr. Paul Tremblay and Dr. Jennifer West

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
1 S. Washington Street
Suite 120
Rochester, NY 14614
United States

If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please (Unsubscribing is not supported in previews).