The Children's Agenda is unique in that we advocate at the local, state and national levels. National policies have profound impacts for children locally. For example: - Service Requirements: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires services be provided at no cost and in a timely manner to children with developmental delays and disabilities. This includes Early Intervention for children 0 - 2 years and Preschool Special Education for children 3 - 5 years.
- Innovation: The Social Security Act gives the US Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to approve experimental, pilot or demonstration projects by states to improve their Medicaid programs. In some regions of the country, this has been used to create better care for children and youth.
- Funding: In 2021 New York received $705 million from the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant and $1.1 billion from the Childcare Stabilization Fund. Those funds provide child care assistance to families through county government and grants made directly to child care programs by the state. As of August 1, approximately 55% of children in Monroe County will be eligible for child care assistance.
By partnering with national coalitions and initiatives, The Children's Agenda has greater impact. We learn from other organizations and contribute to a shared national agenda. National partnerships also give us the opportunity to elevate children's needs as they relate to other social issues. This makes children visible in policy initiatives where they might otherwise be overlooked. By working with national partners like the Partnership for America's Children, Alliance for Early Success and Annie E. Casey Foundation Advocacy Learning Lab, we achieve far more together than any of us would on our own. July has meant of a lot of national work at The Children's Agenda. Read on for updates and opportunities to get involved with linking local, state and national efforts for children. |
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Raising Democracy by Resurrecting Hope |
Our work at The Children's Agenda isn't about our organization working alone. It's about being part of a national movement for children. Movement building is hard and requires deep, authentic connections. The Children's Defense Fund's Proctor Institute is a place for building those connections. By sharing stories and a passion for justice, advocates are renewed, informed and inspired. This year two of our staff -- Brigit Hurley and Brittany Read -- attended the Proctor Institute in-person and virtually. Brigit shared the work of our Interfaith Collaborative on a panel along with colleagues from the Children's Defense Fund - NY. Faith communities have a long history as leaders in social change movements. Connected by a shared commitment to caring for children, we can lift our voices and act together. Planning for Monroe County's 2022 Children's Interfaith Weekend is underway. If your faith community would like to get involved, let us know! |
| TCA's Brigit Hurley with colleagues from Children's Defense Fund - NY |
Larry Marx (CEO, The Children's Agenda) and Kercena Dozier (CEO, Children's Defense Fund - NY) on a visit to TCA's office in July. |
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"It's not right that families who can afford any kind of care and can go anywhere can make that choice. Children who live in homes that don't have those resources should have the same choice." ~ Bridget Shumway, Generations Childcare |
64% of New York State is in child care deserts |
3,524 New York child care programs closed from January 2020 - July 2022 |
| So Far, So Good, and Still So Far to Go |
This year saw tremendous strides in New York's commitment to quality, affordable child care. Most recently, New York state began distributing funds to new child care programs to serve families living in child care deserts. That includes designated funds for infant/toddler care and night/weekend hours. Yet, we have a long way to go to reach our vision of universal child care that provides every child access to quality early education, provides every family with peace of mind, and pays professional child care providers professional wages. The Children's Agenda is pleased New York was chosen by the Alliance for Early Success as 1 of 6 states to participate in the Child Care NEXT initiative. This month our Policy Director, Pete Nabozny -- along with our co-leads from New York at the Schuyler Center for Advocacy & Analysis and the Alliance for Quality Education -- participated in a national convening of Child Care NEXT states. Together, they planned how to build and sustain political power, organizing, and advocacy at all levels – from neighborhoods and communities to the state capitol, and everywhere in between. |
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The Children's Agenda staff learning and sharing at Clarissa Uprooted. |
| Connecting Past and Future, Local and National |
As part of our ongoing professional development and commitment to antiracism education, our staff visited the Clarissa Uprooted exhibit. The exhibit is an intergenerational oral history project by youth from Teen Empowerment and the Clarissa Street Reunion Committee. It focuses on the stories of elders who grew up in the Clarissa Street neighborhood. Once a thriving Black neighborhood, it was harmed by urban renewal and interstate projects in the 1950s-1970s. What happened in the Clarissa Street neighborhood was echoed across the country in communities like Maxwell Street in Chicago, Roxbury in Boston, Treme in New Orleans, Overtown in Miami, and West Bottom neighborhoods in Kansas City. Approximately 1.2 million families were displaced nationally. Although Black Americans were only 13% of the population at the time, they made up at least 55% of people who were displaced. Clarissa Uprooted gave our staff the opportunity to listen to stories of elders, study maps and archives, and reflect on our role in repairing the intergenerational harm that was done. We were inspired and challenged by the stories of joy and celebration, pain and betrayal. Knowing our local history and how it is connected to national policies can help us do better now. |
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Parent Leadership Spotlight |
This month, some of the parent leaders who work with The Children's Agenda met with our new staff and interns to talk about how they are strengthening parent leadership and advocacy. Our staff are excited to support the organizing and advocacy of parent advocates -- from our local school district to Congress. Our parent/family advocacy group is growing! All Rochester parents/families are welcome! To get involved, send a message to Carmen Torres using the button below or call her at (585) 256-2620 ext. 2613. |
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Our team is growing! Join with us in welcoming two new staff members to The Children's Agenda. |
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Shannon Mullin is our new Research & Policy Analyst. Because smart voices are based on evidence, she will be analyzing data, reviewing evidence, and translating research into policy recommendations. Shannon grew up in Ballston Spa, NY. She earned her bachelor's degree in Conflict Analysis & Resolution at George Mason University and her master's in Public Health at the University of Albany. In-between degrees, she worked as an AmeriCorps volunteer in New Orleans. Shannon brings expertise in maternal and child health policy and interned with the Schuyler Center for Analysis & Advocacy. |
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Episode 15 – Jenn O'Connor on Preventing Childhood Trauma Jenn is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at Prevent Child Abuse New York. She and Pete Nabozny discuss a wide range of topics, including what primary prevention is and why it matters, Prevent Child Abuse New York’s work, and recent policy changes affecting children in New York State. Episode 18 - Rachel Bonsignore on Kindergarten Readiness Rachel is the Executive Director of Liftoff Western NY, an initiative to ensure all young children in Western NY are ready for Kindergarten. She and Pete Nabozny discuss Liftoff’s origins and the effort’s key issues areas. They also highlight promising local efforts to better support young children in western New York. |
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Thank You to our Recent Donors! |
Dr. Albert and Dr. Jean Mangold • Candles 4 Kindness • Dr. Daan and Lorraine Braveman Gary and Debbie Leary • Dennis and Barbara Asselin • Ellen Kimbrough • Dr. Ganie DeHart Holly Barrett Howard and Arlene Schenker • Jeanne Carlivati • Jeff Hoffman • Jen Cathy Jim and Carmen Brush • Joan Hausladen • Joe Kelly • Joe Simson Dr. Karl Rosengren and Dr. Sarah Magelsdorf • Linda Pratt • Long Pond Pediatrics Dr. Lori Jeanne Peloquin and Ted Retzlaff • Mary Louise Musler • Mary Margaret Palmer Michael Bleeg • Paul Tremblay and Dr. Jennifer West • Rev. Dr. Peter and Sarah Peters Renee Haefner • Rev. Dr. Richard and Joyce Gilbert • Richard and Vicki Schwartz Robert Genthner • Roberta Moriarty • Robin Hood Foundation • Sarah Mittiga Dr. Stephanie Townsend • Susan and Lincoln Spaulding Children are young for a short time. You can make a difference by contributing today. |
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