December 2021

2022 Wish List from The Children’s Agenda

There is a palpable excitement in kids at this time of year. A break from school, family holiday celebrations, spending all day in pajamas, hopes to play in the snow. . . It can be one of the best times to be a parent.

Or it can be one of the worst. The fears of disappointing our children, not having enough time or money to spend, worrying about bills or child care or concerns about health. Every parent wants what’s best for their children, and no parent wants their child to go without.

Those two poles – the heights of our hopes and the depths of our fears – are the backdrop to The Children’s Agenda’s New Year’s Wish List for every family in our community and across New York. We are wishing for and equitable and inclusive renewal in 2022, including:

• Mental Health Supports: A “National Emergency in Children’s Mental Health" was declared in October. Perhaps a silver lining in the anxiety and depression rampant these past two years is that our community understands better the false divide between physical and mental health. The Children’s Agenda wishes for every child to attend a school that has a strong sense of community and close-knit relationships, where there are opportunities for restoration rather than punishment when conflicts occur. Communities of color -- like the majority of RCSD families -- have disproportionately borne the brunt of pandemic losses, stress, and economic deprivation. We wish for every school to have robust and culturally-relevant preventive services and mental health care. We wish for every child and family to have access to support when and where they look for it, whether at the doctor’s office, in their neighborhood, or online.

• Universal Child Care:  Last January, The Children’s Agenda released a report showing there were only 3 child care slots available for every 10 children in Monroe County and even fewer for children under the age of 2 in the City of Rochester. That was before the pandemic. At least 128 licensed programs have closed Monroe County since April to November this year, meaning 4,213 fewer slots for kids. In 2022, we wish the US Senate and the New York state legislature will listen to parents like Brandie and Dan talk about what a difference quality child care is making in their children’s lives and how the cost of child care weighs on them. Then we wish our elected officials will act to ensure every family, no matter where they live, how much they earn, or whatever their race and ethnicity, has access to high-quality, affordable care and that the professional providers who care for children are paid professional wages.  

• No Child Hungry: Before the American Rescue Plan was enacted, the 27 million children who could benefit the most from the Child Tax Credit were excluded because their parents made too little money; nearly half of all Black and Latinx kids were shut out of the benefit. Now those families are receiving up to $300 each month for each child. As a result, families have had more money available for food, housing, and utilities.  The expanded Child Tax Credit kept more than 3 million children nationwide out of poverty this year – with the biggest difference in the lives of Black, Latinx and Native American families.  In 2022, we wish that the US Senate will prioritize children and extend the federal Child Tax Credit. In New York, we wish for the state to follow through on its commitment to cut child poverty in half in 10 years upon the Governor signing the Child Poverty Reduction Act.

• No Child Waiting for Developmental Assistance: When a young child has trouble swallowing, learning to walk, regulating her/his emotions, or learning to speak, parents turn to Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education services. Those services help children and their families thrive. But in New York, young children are often forced to wait for needed therapies due to shortages in providers. Access to therapies was made worse during the pandemic. We hope that Governor Hochul signs into law the Preschool Special Education Funding Parity and Covered Lives for Early Intervention bills in 2022, ensuring that children don’t have to wait for life changing support.

The greatest joy of being a parent is being able to bring joy to your children.  Families are the single greatest asset any child has starting out in life.  But every family needs support from time to time.  Whether it’s for mental health, child care, fighting poverty, or assistance with disabilities, there’s no such thing as “someone else’s child.”  Our local, state and federal leaders have a duty to provide those supports so that all children thrive – in 2022 and beyond.  

Until they do, The Children’s Agenda will be here making smart choices and speaking with bold voices on behalf of children. Thank you for your support and advocacy. Together we are making a difference.

Wishing you and your family a healthy and joyful New Year,

Larry 

Thank you to our December Donors

It's not too late to make a donation to The Children's Agenda in 2021.  Thank you to our December donors and have a happy holiday season.

1199 SEIU Labor Management Initiatives, Inc. - Christopher Bell - Linda Brebner - Regina Connor - Robert Dunlavey and Stephanie Oddleifson -  Helen Ganotis - Mary Jo Green - Virginia Hancock  - H Robert and Joyce Herman - A Dirk and Linda Hightower - Eileen Hurley - Nancy and Ron Kraus - Lilita Lassen -Ward - Mark McDermott - Thomas and Beverly McInerny - Paychex Charitable Foundation - Dan and Jay Ross - Ray Samson - Thomas and Linda Sargent - Eamonn Scanlon - Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy - Terry Schwartz - Bridget Shumway - Angela Sims - Matthew Stevens - Robert and Gayle Stiles - The Rubin Family Foundation - Carmen M. Torres - Tom and Gloria Treis - Paul Tremblay and Jennifer West - James Wallace - Kim Wolfe - Louis S. & Molly B. Wolk Foundation - Michelle Yale

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
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