November 2021

Building Back for Children

On November 18th, the House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better bill. It includes historic, transformative investments in children that will foster an inclusive and equitable recovery for our nation. With $400 billion for child care and preschool education, the bill means:

• The majority of working American families will pay no more than 7% of their income on child care for children under 6 years old
• States will be able to expand access to high quality, affordable child care, covering 9 out of 10 families with young children
• There will be universal, free preschool for all 3- and 4-year olds in the setting that parents choose, from public school to community-based programs to Head Start

The Children’s Agenda celebrates this long overdue acknowledgment that high quality child care and early childhood education is a vital public good. There was a time in the US when K-12 education was a private matter. Starting public education with 5- or 6-year olds instead of earlier was an arbitrary starting point. It is one that, today, we know overlooks critical periods in brain development that occur in the first few years of a child’s life.  Furthermore, research shows that every $1 invested in early child care and education yields $4 - $9 in the long run with children doing better in school, being more likely to graduate high school and college, and earning more as adults. Investing in early childhood systems is investing in infrastructure.

But the Build Back Better framework is not merely an economic proposition. It is also a transformative statement about our nation’s values. In 2019, only 9% of the federal budget was spent on children. When enacted, the Build Back Better framework will accelerate the reversal of the downward trajectory our nation has been on for years in regard to spending on children. It will also begin the first of many steps to put the United States on par with other countries in our spending on early childhood care and education.

At The Children’s Agenda we know the work is not over. First, the Build Back Better framework must now pass the US Senate where changes to minimize the investment in children may be made. Second, when enacted, New York must be ready to use the funds effectively. We welcome Governor Hochul’s statement this week that child care will be a top priority in her first executive budget. However, we know how much work needs to be done to ensure New York’s child care system – from state agencies down through county governments – has the capacity to implement programs that are affordable, equitable, high-quality, and coordinated. The Children’s Agenda will continue to lead on child care and pre-K education in partnership with the Empire State Campaign for Child Care and, most importantly, with families in our region.

Action Changes Things

Raising Rochester

Investing Locally

In addition to the Build Back Better budget, local governments have also received substantial funding from the federal government to recover and rebuild from the pandemic. The Children’s Agenda has been advocating alongside families and community members to make children a priority for how those dollars are used.

Parents at the Center

Everything we do at The Children’s Agenda is inspired and driven by youth, families, and community members. Brave voices like the parents who spoke out for mental health supports in RCSD are our guide. For our youngest children who need developmental support through Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education, we have a rapidly growing group of Rochester families organizing under the banner of Children’s Voices Alliance. Their numbers have tripled since their first gathering last month! Their strong voices, along with Parents Helping Parents of Monroe County, will send the message loud and clear in our region that kids can’t wait for the services they need. Follow Kids Can’t Wait on Facebook and amplify their voices.

We are pleased to announce that The Children’s Agenda will soon have a new way of listening to families’ voices. With generous support from the ESL Charitable Foundation, we are launching a 3-year initiative to systematically listen to and document the experiences of 1,000 Monroe County parents each year through polling on issues affecting their lives. This will help us reach more parents including parents who are not part of any formal groups. Their voices will inform our advocacy at The Children’s Agenda and be a valuable source of insight to our entire community, including contributing to ROC the Future’s goal of parent engagement. . Our project will be guided by an advisory council that includes parents and other community members. Stay tuned!

ROC the Day on November 30th for TCA

Congratulations!

TCA in the News

• ROC the Future's 2021 State of Our Children Report (WXXI)
• Rochester School District Stations Police Outside Schools (The Imprint)
• As Students Struggle in Rochester, New York, Schools Consider Bringing Back Campus Police (The Imprint)

With Gratitude

During this month of giving thanks, The Children’s Agenda is grateful to the individuals, organizations, and businesses who support our work. Because of you, we can speak boldly. Special thanks to:

Mr. David Canning and Mrs. Jennifer Canning - Ms. Meredith Dragon - The Education Trust - Empire Justice Center - Mrs. Blanche B. Fenster - Mr. Richard Lourette and Mrs. Diane Dinkins-Lourette - Ms. Carol Love and Mr. Nick Love - Mr. Gregory Partridge and Mr. Douglas Potter - Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy - Martin L. Suter and Suzanne S. Suter Family 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

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