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FEATURED NEWS

  • Senator Cooney and advocates calling for more funding for families with children
    Senator Cooney and advocates calling for more funding for families with children
    March 24, 2023

    State lawmakers and advocates have been pushing to have the New York State child tax credit for families increased.

    Read More »
  • Childrens advocates call for reimbursement rate hike for Early Intervention services
    Childrens advocates call for reimbursement rate hike for Early Intervention services
    March 24, 2023

    Some lawmakers say the state of New York is failing young children, especially when it comes to vital early childhood intervention services.

    Read More »
  • Need grows for mental health services for young New Yorkers
    Need grows for mental health services for young New Yorkers
    March 22, 2023

    New numbers support the much widely recognized need for mental health services for young people across the country and the state.

    Read More »
  • Children’s Agenda releases latest poll about youth mental health in Monroe County
    Children’s Agenda releases latest poll about youth mental health in Monroe County
    March 22, 2023

    A parents' poll shows 40% say their children have struggled with emotional or mental health since returning to school in-person.

    Read More »
  • Parents say kids lack mental health services in Monroe County schools
    Parents say kids lack mental health services in Monroe County schools
    March 22, 2023

    The Children’s Agenda is calling for robust solutions to what they say is a mental health crisis among children and teens – including improving access to care in schools.

    Read More »
  • New poll from The Children’s Agenda spotlights parent concerns on youth mental health
    New poll from The Children’s Agenda spotlights parent concerns on youth mental health
    March 22, 2023

    In the midst of an ongoing mental health crisis nationwide, The Children’s Agenda, a locally based nonprofit, has released a new poll taking a deep dive on parents’ concerns surrounding youth mental health.

    Read More »
  • Raising Rochester Podcast – S2:E3 – Aqua Porter on Anti-Poverty Efforts in Rochester and Monroe County
    Raising Rochester Podcast – S2:E3 – Aqua Porter on Anti-Poverty Efforts in Rochester and Monroe County
    March 21, 2023

    In this episode, Raising Rochester welcomes Aqua Porter, Executive Director of the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI). Aqua speaks with TCA CEO, Larry Marx about the role RMAPI plays in the community, how poverty impacts children in the city of Rochester, and how collective impact efforts are making a difference in poverty in our community.

    Read More »
  • Groups call for increased funding to fight child poverty in NY
    Groups call for increased funding to fight child poverty in NY
    March 20, 2023

    New York needs to expand and strengthen its child tax credit to cut child poverty.

    Read More »
  • Coalition calls for Early Intervention services funding in New York state
    Coalition calls for Early Intervention services funding in New York state
    March 15, 2023

    The Children’s Agenda reports only about half of the children who qualify for Early Intervention are receiving services in a timely manner.

    Read More »
  • As test scores plummet comptroller says New York state’s fourth graders need immediate support
    As test scores plummet comptroller says New York state’s fourth graders need immediate support
    March 13, 2023

    A national assessment shows average test scores for elementary students across the country are down, but New York state schools saw an even steeper decline.

    Read More »
  • Tens of thousands of NY young children with developmental delays are not getting critical services
    Tens of thousands of NY young children with developmental delays are not getting critical services
    March 6, 2023

    New York children with developmental delays are waiting longer than legally mandated time lines for services.

    Read More »
  • Some New York schools providing alternative to Regents exams
    Some New York schools providing alternative to Regents exams
    March 6, 2023

    In place of passing Regents exams, students can demonstrate they have learned skills they can use in college and careers.

    Read More »
  • Child Care Groups, Advocates Pushing State Officials to Adopt a Universal Child Care System
    Child Care Groups, Advocates Pushing State Officials to Adopt a Universal Child Care System
    February 24, 2023

    Last week advocates from across the state of New York, including about 24 people from the Rochester area ascended on the state capital in Albany to lobby officials to adopt the Children and Families Reinvestment Act and move NYS towards a universal child care system.

    Read More »
  • Monroe County faces child care crunch
    Monroe County faces child care crunch
    February 16, 2023

    The child care shortage starts with staffing. Providers have trouble attracting workers because of what they can pay.

    Read More »
  • Local advocates push NYS lawmakers to boost funding for early intervention services
    Local advocates push NYS lawmakers to boost funding for early intervention services
    February 15, 2023

    Local parents and care providers delivered a collective call in Albany to further help infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities.

    Read More »
  • A chance to succeed: Solutions not suspensions in Rochester
    A chance to succeed: Solutions not suspensions in Rochester
    February 15, 2023

    Suspensions might sound normal, but suspending students from school is an outdated and punitive form of discipline that causes harm and should be used as a last resort.

    Read More »
  • In New York state, students can be suspended for up to an entire school year
    In New York state, students can be suspended for up to an entire school year
    February 15, 2023

    New York state allows students to be suspended for up to 180 days — an entire school year. As a result, thousands of students across the state have been kept out of school for a month or more, cut off from their peers and receiving just an hour or two of instruction per day.

    Read More »
  • Rochesterians rally in Albany for universal child care
    Rochesterians rally in Albany for universal child care
    February 15, 2023

    Activists from around the state, including about two dozen Rochesterians, rallied in Albany to call for more state funding for child care.

    Read More »
  • Local advocates go to Albany to push for universal child care
    Local advocates go to Albany to push for universal child care
    February 15, 2023

    Advocates headed to Albany to push for universal child care.

    Read More »
  • Families waiting upwards of 12-months for early intervention services
    Families waiting upwards of 12-months for early intervention services
    February 7, 2023

    These are federally mandated supports, where children have a right to get access to these services within 30-days, however families are having to wait upwards of 12-months to get connected.

    Read More »
  • January 2023 E-News
    January 2023 E-News
    February 6, 2023

      January 2023 Budgets are value statements. Caring for our children is a fundamental human value, but in the United States we lag behind when it comes to translating that value into public policy. In 2021, only 9.4% of the federal budget was spent on children who make up 20% of the US population. At […]Read More »

  • The Children’s Agenda Group Wants To Suspend Suspensions
    The Children’s Agenda Group Wants To Suspend Suspensions
    February 6, 2023

    The Children’s Agenda Education Policy Director Eamonn Scanlon makes the case for alternative disciplinary measures.

    Read More »
  • Local advocates pushing for passage of ‘Solutions Not Suspensions’ bill in New York
    Local advocates pushing for passage of ‘Solutions Not Suspensions’ bill in New York
    February 6, 2023

    When most people hear school suspension, they think teenagers. However according to a new report - from the Children's Agenda, 15,306 from 15 area school districts were suspended at least once in the 2020-2021 school year. 606 of the students were in grades pre-k through third.

    Read More »
  • Local advocacy group heads to Albany to address child care access crisis facing Upstate NY
    Local advocacy group heads to Albany to address child care access crisis facing Upstate NY
    February 6, 2023

    “For too many families, child care is a constant challenge to manage. Parents can’t afford to pay more for child care, but providers can’t afford to charge less,” said Nabozny.

    Read More »
  • Child care providers say governor’s budget lacks workforce investment
    Child care providers say governor’s budget lacks workforce investment
    February 6, 2023

    The Empire State Campaign for Child Care say the final state budget must invest $1 billion to increase wages for the child care workforce

    Read More »
  • Lawmakers, Hochul clash on plans to fix child care crisis
    Lawmakers, Hochul clash on plans to fix child care crisis
    January 27, 2023

    Gov. Kathy Hochul's vision to address the state's child care crisis continues to differ from several lawmakers as they prepare to begin this session's budget negotiations.

    Read More »
  • December 2022 E-News
    December 2022 E-News
    January 11, 2023

    Preview – December 2022 E-News December 2022 When we invest in children, struggling communities become thriving communities. Over the past year we have achieved much for children — The Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, with two representatives from Rochester, is now meeting. They will guide New York in reducing child poverty by half in the next […]Read More »

  • NY Congressional Representatives Demand Congress Oppose Corporate Tax Breaks
    NY Congressional Representatives Demand Congress Oppose Corporate Tax Breaks
    December 13, 2022

    Attendees demanded that congressional leadership in Washington oppose any new tax breaks for wealthy corporations in their year-end spending bill unless passed together with relief for working families.

    Read More »
  • Rochester community call for expansion of child, earned income tax credits
    Rochester community call for expansion of child, earned income tax credits
    December 13, 2022

    Community leaders in Rochester gathered Saturday, calling for Congress to expand the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit as Congress reviews their end-of-the-year federal budget.

    Read More »
  • Coalition calls on Hochul to boost Early Intervention provider pay
    Coalition calls on Hochul to boost Early Intervention provider pay
    December 13, 2022

    Monroe County leaders and children’s advocates are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to increase reimbursement rates for therapists and teachers working with children with development delays in the state’s Early Intervention system.

    Read More »
  • Hochul called upon to increase funding for early childhood intervention services
    Hochul called upon to increase funding for early childhood intervention services
    December 13, 2022

    There is a call to the Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature to increase funding for early intervention efforts that could help infants and toddlers.

    Read More »
  • Assemblyman, local families call for more funding for early intervention providers
    Assemblyman, local families call for more funding for early intervention providers
    December 13, 2022

    The Children's Agenda is pleading for the governor and state lawmakers to confront the shortage of service providers in the early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities.

    Read More »
  • 94 groups pen letter to NY Gov. calling for increase in early intervention funding
    94 groups pen letter to NY Gov. calling for increase in early intervention funding
    December 13, 2022

    Nearly 100 organizations across New York are calling for a boost in funding for early intervention providers due to a backlog of requests for services for the very youngest in our state to access care.

    Read More »
  • Local advocates push for more early intervention funding
    Local advocates push for more early intervention funding
    December 13, 2022

    State regulators require that Early Intervention services begin within 30 days of a plan being established, but there just aren’t enough providers to keep up with demand.

    Read More »
  • Childhood Poverty Advisory Council
    Childhood Poverty Advisory Council
    December 2, 2022

    Across the state, approximately 1 in 5 children were living in poverty last year. In Rochester, that number spikes to nearly 1 in 2.

    Read More »
  • November 2022 E-News
    November 2022 E-News
    December 1, 2022

    Preview – December 2022 E-News December 2022 When we invest in children, struggling communities become thriving communities. Over the past year we have achieved much for children — The Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, with two representatives from Rochester, is now meeting. They will guide New York in reducing child poverty by half in the next […]Read More »

  • Raising Rochester Podcast – S2:E2 – Monica Graham on Parent Advocacy Opportunities with the Rochester City School District
    Raising Rochester Podcast – S2:E2 – Monica Graham on Parent Advocacy Opportunities with the Rochester City School District
    November 15, 2022

    This week’s guest on the Raising Rochester podcast is Monica Graham. Monica is a parent of a 9th grader in the Rochester City School District and a committed advocate for parents in the district. She shares her experiences as a parent advocate, explains how she got involved in parent advocacy, and gives advice on how more parents can get involved as advocates for their children and all children in our community.

    Read More »
  • October 2022 E-News
    October 2022 E-News
    October 31, 2022

      October 2022 Smart choices. Bold voices. Those words exemplify everything we do at The Children’s Agenda. There is risk when we speak boldly, but those risks are necessary to speak up for kids. To drive effective change, we have to be audacious and pursue goals that others might see as too difficult. By being bold, […]Read More »

  • Statewide plan to cut childhood poverty in half
    Statewide plan to cut childhood poverty in half
    October 26, 2022

    There's a new initiative in the works with a goal of cutting childhood poverty in half over the next decade.

    Read More »
  • Coalition urges limitations on school suspensions
    Coalition urges limitations on school suspensions
    October 24, 2022

    The Children’s Agenda Education Policy Director Eamonn Scanlon makes the case for alternative disciplinary measures.

    Read More »
  • The Children’s Agenda calls for ending suspensions for young children
    The Children’s Agenda calls for ending suspensions for young children
    October 24, 2022

    The Children's Agenda is calling for the end of suspensions for young children in New York.

    Read More »
  • Rochester-area nonprofit seeks to end school suspensions for students
    Rochester-area nonprofit seeks to end school suspensions for students
    October 24, 2022

    One local group is offering up alternatives to suspending kids from school and calling for changes in the state.

    Read More »
  • Rochester schools suspend students at high and unequal rate
    Rochester schools suspend students at high and unequal rate
    October 24, 2022

    Despite a stated interest in moving away from harsh disciplinary practices, local schools continue to suspend students at high and unequal rates, according to a report released Thursday by The Children's Agenda.

    Read More »
  • Local education advocates call for alternative disciplinary methods for students
    Local education advocates call for alternative disciplinary methods for students
    October 24, 2022

    When most people hear school suspension, they think teenagers. However according to a new report - from the Children's Agenda, 15,306 from 15 area school districts were suspended at least once in the 2020-2021 school year. 606 of the students were in grades pre-k through third.

    Read More »
  • Should there be a cap on how many days a school year students can be suspended?
    Should there be a cap on how many days a school year students can be suspended?
    October 24, 2022

    Parents are showing cautious optimism about the new school year. That’s according to new polling by the Children’s Agenda, which took responses from 600 parents in the region about the school year.

    Read More »
  • Faith leaders push for change in school suspensions
    Faith leaders push for change in school suspensions
    October 24, 2022

    A group of local pastors and community leaders gathered on West Broad Street early Sunday morning outside the city school district central office building as part of activities for Children’s Interfaith Weekend.

    Read More »
  • Faith leaders, community gathers outside RCSD in support of ‘Solutions Not Suspensions’ bill
    Faith leaders, community gathers outside RCSD in support of ‘Solutions Not Suspensions’ bill
    October 24, 2022

    Local faith leaders and community members gathered outside the offices of the Rochester City School District Sunday morning to renew their commitment to support the children of Rochester.

    Read More »
  • An update on the state of early intervention services in Monroe County
    An update on the state of early intervention services in Monroe County
    October 3, 2022

    The Children’s Agenda is calling for an end to school suspensions for students Pre-K to Grade 3. 84% of Monroe County parents support solutions not suspensions.

    Read More »
  • New York advocate: Universal child care is the ‘North Star’
    New York advocate: Universal child care is the ‘North Star’
    October 3, 2022

    New York’s Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is still in the process of distributing federal money to child care providers.

    Read More »
  • Children’s advocacy group calls for culture shift to combat ‘school-to-prison pipeline’
    Children’s advocacy group calls for culture shift to combat ‘school-to-prison pipeline’
    October 3, 2022

    The Children’s Agenda is calling for an end to school suspensions for students Pre-K to Grade 3. 84% of Monroe County parents support solutions not suspensions.

    Read More »
  • New poll shows parents in Finger Lakes are cautiously optimistic about new school year
    New poll shows parents in Finger Lakes are cautiously optimistic about new school year
    October 3, 2022

    Parents are showing cautious optimism about the new school year. That’s according to new polling by the Children’s Agenda, which took responses from 600 parents in the region about the school year.

    Read More »
  • September 2022 E-News
    September 2022 E-News
    September 30, 2022

    Preview – September 2022 E-News September 2022 Members of the Very Invested Parents (VIPs) group along with Parent Advocacy Coordinator Carmen Torres At The Children’s Agenda, we believe in the power of parents. That’s why, two years ago, we organized the Very Invested Parents (VIPs) advocacy group. This dynamic group organizes in the community and […]Read More »

  • Raising Rochester Podcast – S2:E1 – Amanda Wilbert and Stacia Paganelli, Step By Step Pediatric Therapy Services
    Raising Rochester Podcast – S2:E1 – Amanda Wilbert and Stacia Paganelli, Step By Step Pediatric Therapy Services
    September 7, 2022

    Amanda Wilbert and Stacia Paganelli from Step by Step Pediatric Therapy Services join this week’s episode of Raising Rochester to discuss Monroe County’s shortage of Early Intervention services from a provider perspective. The conversation touches on their backgrounds, the importance of Early Intervention services for children and families in our community, and the workforce shortages affecting the sector in Monroe County and throughout New York State.

    Read More »
  • August 2022 E-News
    August 2022 E-News
    August 31, 2022

      August 2022 As New York’s children head back to school, each and every one of us has the responsibility to ensure every child receives a quality education in positive learning environments that support their success. That’s why The Children’s Agenda advocates for stronger schools that put children first. Educational success, however, depends not only on […]Read More »

  • Coalition produces analysis on child care spending in New York
    Coalition produces analysis on child care spending in New York
    August 19, 2022

    New York’s Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is still in the process of distributing federal money to child care providers.

    Read More »
  • NY lost about 10,000 child care slots during the pandemic. That’s making it hard for parents to return to work.
    NY lost about 10,000 child care slots during the pandemic. That’s making it hard for parents to return to work.
    August 19, 2022

    Rural and upstate communities, like those in the North Country, lost the most child care. 

    Read More »
  • Childcare providers have closed over 3,000 locations in New York State
    Childcare providers have closed over 3,000 locations in New York State
    August 19, 2022

    Families are in desperate search of childcare as more than 3,000 facilities close their doors in the state of New York.

    Read More »
  • Child care infrastructure further weakened during pandemic
    Child care infrastructure further weakened during pandemic
    August 16, 2022

    We look at child care in New York with The Children’s Agenda which recently did a study of the state’s diminishing child care infrastructure

    Read More »
  • Discussing the impact of child care closures in New York state
    Discussing the impact of child care closures in New York state
    August 16, 2022

    More than 3,500 child care programs closed in New York state, leaving thousands of kids unable to access the care they need.

    Read More »
  • Monroe County has lost 69 childcare programs, 1,700 spots, since before pandemic
    Monroe County has lost 69 childcare programs, 1,700 spots, since before pandemic
    August 12, 2022

    The Children’s Agenda just finished a study on the current childcare situation across New York State.  It found that statewide, there are 1,326 fewer childcare programs than there were before the pandemic which amounts to 10,554 fewer spots for children with parents who need to work. 

    Read More »
  • Children’s Agenda calls for universal childcare amid statewide shortage
    Children’s Agenda calls for universal childcare amid statewide shortage
    August 12, 2022

    As families in New York state are facing widespread shortages in childcare, The Children’s Agenda calls for greater support from the state.

    Read More »
  • Over 3,000 childcare services have closed their doors in New York
    Over 3,000 childcare services have closed their doors in New York
    August 12, 2022

    Over 3,524 regulated childcare programs have closed across the state of New York with many of those being in home child services.

    Read More »
  • States boost child care money as congressional effort stalls
    States boost child care money as congressional effort stalls
    August 10, 2022

    Democrats in Washington had big ambitions this year to boost child care subsidies nationally as part of a broad domestic spending bill. But with those plans stalled because of a lack of bipartisan support, some states moved ahead with plans of their own.

    Read More »
  • Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 19 – The Path to Universal Child Care – Schuyler Center
    Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 19 – The Path to Universal Child Care – Schuyler Center
    August 2, 2022

    This week’s episode of Raising Rochester has been handed over to our colleagues at the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy. The Schuyler Center recently convened a discussion about “The Path to Universal Child Care,” and we felt the conversation would be worth amplifying through our podcast. This episode is hosted by Dede Hill, Director of Policy at the Schuyler Center. She is joined by Maria Whyte, Deputy County Executive of Erie County and Shanita Bowen, Director of Operations for ECE on the Move.

    Read More »
  • July 2022 E-News
    July 2022 E-News
    July 29, 2022

      July 2022 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 […]Read More »

  • Addressing homelessness, poverty in Rochester
    Addressing homelessness, poverty in Rochester
    July 26, 2022

    With just days before the district's budget is due, there are still many unanswered questions as to what is and is not included in the final draft.

    Read More »
  • Supporting students: What’s next for mental health
    Supporting students: What’s next for mental health
    July 22, 2022

    People across the country are searching for ways to support many of America’s children and young adults, who say they’re facing stress, anxiety, and depression. Remote school, shuttered activities, and family job losses during the pandemic often changed their lives – and their sense of well-being. 

    Read More »
  • Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 18 – Rachel Bonsignore on Liftoff Western NY
    Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 18 – Rachel Bonsignore on Liftoff Western NY
    July 19, 2022

    Rachel Bonsignore is this week’s guest on the Raising Rochester podcast. Rachel is the Executive Director of Liftoff Western NY, an initiative to ensure all young children in Western NY are ready for Kindergarten.

    Read More »
  • Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 17 – Jenn O’Connor on recent legislative and policy changes affecting children in New York State
    Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 17 – Jenn O’Connor on recent legislative and policy changes affecting children in New York State
    July 5, 2022

    Jenn O’Connor is this week’s guest on the Raising Rochester podcast. Jenn is the Director of Policy and Advocacy and Prevent Child Abuse New York. She and Pete Nabozny discuss a wide range of topics, including her background, Prevent Child Abuse New York’s work and recent legislative and policy changes affecting children in New York State.

    Read More »
  • June 2022 E-News
    June 2022 E-News
    June 30, 2022

      June 2022 Moral Documents Budgets reveal priorities and values. How cities, counties and states, school districts, and our nation as a whole decide to spend our money declares who matters.  That’s why The Children’s Agenda has since our inception 18 years ago, played a watchdog role for the next generation, advocating for what children […]Read More »

  • Challenges in child care
    Challenges in child care
    June 14, 2022

    A long-term decline of the industry, pandemic-driven losses, staffing shortages and high costs have contributed to a child care shortage.

    Read More »
  • Shortage of early intervention services in Monroe County a concern for hundreds of parents
    Shortage of early intervention services in Monroe County a concern for hundreds of parents
    June 14, 2022

    Close to 300 children are now waiting for early intervention services: help with things like speech and motor skills.

    Read More »
  • Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 16 – Sara Taylor and the State of Mental Health Care for Children in our Community
    Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 16 – Sara Taylor and the State of Mental Health Care for Children in our Community
    June 14, 2022

    Sara Taylor is this week’s guest on the Raising Rochester podcast. Sara is a parent of a child with mental health issues, an advocate for parents and families advocating the mental health system, and the founder of BIPOC PEEEEEEK, a parent organizing effort. She shares her perspective on the state of mental health care for children in our community, inequities within that system, and news about an exciting project that she and other parents are attempting to launch in the fall of 2022.

    Read More »
  • Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 15 – Danielle Jones on Maternal Wellness
    Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 15 – Danielle Jones on Maternal Wellness
    May 31, 2022

    This week’s podcast guest is Danielle Jones. Danielle is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, doula, and a highly involved member of the Rochester community. This conversation focuses on her background, her involvement in the Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative, her work as a doula, and maternal wellness.

    Read More »
  • May 2022 E-News
    May 2022 E-News
    May 31, 2022

      At The Children’s Agenda, we are filled with both sorrow and outrage at yet another massacre of children. The 19 children and two teachers murdered in Uvalde are victims of what is now the leading cause of death of children and teenagers in the United States: gun violence. Employing effective public policies that stop […]Read More »

  • Local educators and advocates call for systemic changes after a gunman killed Texas schoolchildren
    Local educators and advocates call for systemic changes after a gunman killed Texas schoolchildren
    May 26, 2022

    Local educators and children’s advocates are calling for policy changes to prevent future mass school shootings.

    Read More »
  • Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 14 – TCA Education Policy Director Eamonn Scanlon on the Rochester City School District Budget
    Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 14 – TCA Education Policy Director Eamonn Scanlon on the Rochester City School District Budget
    May 12, 2022

    This week’s guest on the Raising Rochester podcast is Eamonn Scanlon. Eamonn is the Education Policy Director at The Children’s Agenda, and focuses a great deal of his work on the Rochester City School District’s budget. He joins the show to discuss challenges with this year’s RCSD budget, Rochester’s somewhat unique budget approval process, budget advocacy priorities, and more. After recording this episode, the RCSD Board of Commissioners narrowly passed the proposed budget, though many board members expressed a great deal of frustration with the way the budget process played out this year.

    Read More »
  • Crisis in the Classroom: Following the money
    Crisis in the Classroom: Following the money
    May 5, 2022

    With just days before the district's budget is due, there are still many unanswered questions as to what is and is not included in the final draft.

    Read More »
  • April 2022 E-News
    April 2022 E-News
    May 3, 2022

      Budgets are value statements. We cannot reduce them to only dollars and cents or spreadsheets and graphs. They require choices and when we choose one thing over another, it reveals something about us as a community. That is why The Children’s Agenda analyzes government budgets from the Rochester City School District on up to […]Read More »

  • Tax credits for low-income New Yorkers get temporary boost
    Tax credits for low-income New Yorkers get temporary boost
    May 2, 2022

    The recently adopted state budget includes a one-year expansion of two tax credits designed to help low-income New Yorkers. Listen to learn what it all means.

    Read More »
  • Monroe County receives nearly 10K child abuse referrals each year
    Monroe County receives nearly 10K child abuse referrals each year
    April 22, 2022

    Children of any background or socioeconomic status can be a victim of child abuse. However, pediatrician Jeff Kaczorowski says he sees poverty be a huge stressor for families.

    Read More »
  • State Funding Boosts Child Care Subsidies
    State Funding Boosts Child Care Subsidies
    April 22, 2022

    Child care access is expanding across New York state, thanks to funding in the latest budget that was passed earlier this month.

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  • More families can receive child care subsidies thanks to a boost in state funding
    More families can receive child care subsidies thanks to a boost in state funding
    April 21, 2022

    Child care access is expanding across New York state, thanks to funding in the latest budget that was passed earlier this month.

    Read More »
  • Crisis in the Classroom: The cost of child care
    Crisis in the Classroom: The cost of child care
    April 21, 2022

    As the state works to bounce back from the pandemic, a multibillion-dollar investment is being made to support the growth of future generations. The goal is to make childcare more accessible, but the funding could also help reduce the rising poverty level.

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  • How childcare investments in the budget may help your family
    How childcare investments in the budget may help your family
    April 21, 2022

    If you’re a working parent, if you can find childcare, it’s likely one of your largest weekly expenses. Investments made in the new New York State Budget may help relieve some of that stress.

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  • NYS budget boosts local child care funding
    NYS budget boosts local child care funding
    April 21, 2022

    More child care funding is coming to help some 3,500 Monroe County kids.

    Read More »
  • Parents Want More Support, Greater Transparency in Rochester City School District Budget
    Parents Want More Support, Greater Transparency in Rochester City School District Budget
    April 15, 2022

    The Children's Agenda released a preliminary budget analysis Wednesday outlining many of those commonly cited concerns about the current proposal.

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  • Community Members, Parents Weigh in on RCSD Budget
    Community Members, Parents Weigh in on RCSD Budget
    April 15, 2022

    Several community members and parents attended the Rochester City School District board meeting Thursday night to share questions and concerns over the proposed $836 million budget for the 2022-2023 school year.

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  • Advocacy Organization Calls for More Transparency in RCSD Budget Process
    Advocacy Organization Calls for More Transparency in RCSD Budget Process
    April 14, 2022

    After the Rochester City School District released a revised budget plan last week, some are calling for more transparency from district leaders.

    Read More »
  • Youth Advocates Call on RCSD to Allocate More Funding for Mental Health
    Youth Advocates Call on RCSD to Allocate More Funding for Mental Health
    April 14, 2022

    This year, advocacy groups are asking families to call for more mental health supports.

    Read More »
  • Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Need More Support from NY State, Advocates Say
    Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Need More Support from NY State, Advocates Say
    April 14, 2022

    Parents and advocates say the recently adopted New York state budget does not deliver on early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities.

    Read More »
  • $7 Billion Laid Out for Child Care Funds in State Budget: ‘This is Historic’
    $7 Billion Laid Out for Child Care Funds in State Budget: ‘This is Historic’
    April 14, 2022

    Lawmakers, are coming to an agreement on a significant investment for child care. Here in Monroe County, advocates say this could affect over fifty percent of children, under the age of twelve.

    Read More »
  • Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 13 – Justin Murphy, Author on the History of School Segregation in Rochester
    Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 13 – Justin Murphy, Author on the History of School Segregation in Rochester
    April 12, 2022

    Justin Murphy joins the Raising Rochester podcast to discuss his new book, “Your Children are Very Greatly in Danger.” That book is a history of school segregation in Rochester, NY. It chronicles attempts to integrate schools in Rochester, as well as efforts to resist desegregation. Justin is the Education Reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, and has covered Rochester’s schools for the past 8 years. He and Pete Nabozny discuss his book, the broader context of school segregation in our community, and his recommendations for ways to begin to address school segregation in Rochester and Monroe County.

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  • Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 12 – Larry Marx on Family Voices: TCA’s Recent Monroe County Parent Poll
    Raising Rochester Podcast – Episode 12 – Larry Marx on Family Voices: TCA’s Recent Monroe County Parent Poll
    April 5, 2022

    Larry Marx is this week’s guest on the Raising Rochester podcast. Larry is the CEO of The Children’s Agenda. Larry is an experienced and highly successful advocate for children and has overseen The Children’s Agenda’s growth over the past decade. He led our recent effort to commission a statistically representative public opinion poll of Monroe County parents, He joins the show this week to discuss the poll’s findings and its implications for public policy in our community and throughout New York State.

    Read More »
  • Monroe County Parent Poll: Child care affordability, pandemic-related school disruptions, and mental health concerns
    Monroe County Parent Poll: Child care affordability, pandemic-related school disruptions, and mental health concerns
    April 4, 2022

    Rochester non-profit The Children’s Agenda recently released the results of a poll that surveyed 400 Monroe County parents about issues their children and families have faced and the solutions they support.

    Read More »
  • March 2022 E-News
    March 2022 E-News
    March 29, 2022

      March 2022 Listening to Parents This month The Children’s Agenda released findings from our first-of-its kind poll of Monroe County parents. The poll is a game changer when it comes to advocating for legislative change in the county and in Albany. Too often when our local and state government want to hear from parents, […]Read More »

  • Crisis in the Classroom: The Impacts of Poverty
    Crisis in the Classroom: The Impacts of Poverty
    March 29, 2022

    Carrying baggage into a situation where focus is paramount can make even the simplest of tasks a challenge. Such is the case for nearly half the children in Rochester who are all living at or below the federal poverty line.

    Read More »
  • Nearly Half of All Children in Rochester Live in Poverty, Second Highest in the Nation
    Nearly Half of All Children in Rochester Live in Poverty, Second Highest in the Nation
    March 29, 2022

    Nearly half of all children in Rochester live in poverty according to the U.S Census Bureau. That ranks second highest in the nation of areas with a population of 100,000 or more. Local non-profits are disappointed but explain this is nothing new after decades of economic and political systems working against average families.

    Read More »
  • Crisis in the Classroom: Potential Impact of Regents Exams on Grad Rates
    Crisis in the Classroom: Potential Impact of Regents Exams on Grad Rates
    March 14, 2022

    While Regents testing was once considered the gold standard, some now see it as a barrier to graduation.

    Read More »
  • Monroe County Families Continue to Struggle from Effects of COVID
    Monroe County Families Continue to Struggle from Effects of COVID
    March 14, 2022

    The Children's Agenda conducted a first-of-its-kind poll of Monroe County parents. The responses from 400 parents countywide identified issues their children and families are facing and solutions they support.

    Read More »

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The Children’s Agenda advocates for effective policies and drives evidenced-based solutions for the health, education and success of children. We are especially committed to children who are vulnerable because of poverty, racism, health inequities and trauma.

The Agenda

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  • Early Childhood
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  • Racial Equity

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