FEATURED NEWS

Back in January, when the Rochester City School District first proposed shifting some prekindergarten seats from community-based organizations into district buildings, officials said the list of affected organizations would be published as soon as it was ready. It took until March 27 for that list to be presented internally, a…

E-News Archive

Low-income families are in a particularly vulnerable spot as the coronavirus spreads. If schools close, where can kids get meals? What happens for families that are already deeply struggling?

E-News Archive

The Rochester Board of Education has voted in favor of Superintendent Terry Dade’s proposal to revamp the City School District’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten program. 

Superintendent Terry Dade continued his push for a revamp of the Rochester City School District’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program on Monday. Some Rochester Board of Education members say the board is split on Supt. Terry Dade’s plan to take over 60 % of Rochester’s pre-K program. The board is set to…

Local child care leaders say they're feeling the strain, saying that Monroe County and the City of Rochester face a lack of affordable care options for young kids.

The proposed restructuring of the RCSD’s preschool program will close high-quality community-based centers (CBOs)... in a new plan that hurts families hurts families and fails to demonstrate the promised savings.

We all want quality child care but it is a struggle to hire and retain quality staff when you offer low wages. Therefore, the turnover. Child care employees are dedicated and hard working but are not honored with adequate compensation. Affording a place to live has been getting harder and…

The Children's Agenda offered a 'teach-in' that discussed what caused the budget crisis. It says misreporting of numbers caused it.

On Thursday afternoon, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced three new enhancements to the county’s childcare subsidy program. The enhancements include a reduction in the parent fee percentage for subsidized child care to 20%, the development of childcare

Dozens of parents and community members came together Thursday to learn more about the financial crisis facing the Rochester City School District. Two community organizations - Roc the Future and The Children’s Agenda - teamed up for a forum on the budget.

Monroe County has made enhancements to the child care subsidy program in an effort to ensure working parents have access to vital programs.

Making Sense of the RCSD budget: Hosted by The Children's Agenda and ROC the Future. 5.30-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, Rochester Educational Opportunity Center, 161 Chestnut St., Rochester

The session is an opportunity to learn more about the district’s budget crisis by discussing its causes, how decisions about money are made, how parents can influence the district’s budget and outlining what is likely to happen next.

The district's plan to reapportion 500, or roughly 25%, of pre-K slots allotted local nonprofits to a handful of new and expanded city school sites has raised concerns from child care providers and parents.

E-News Archive

Over 60% of New Yorkers live in a child care desert, meaning more than 50 children under age five with no child care providers or so few options that there are more than three times as many children as licensed child care spots. The trip is free and breakfast and…

The Children’s Agenda is organizing an Early Childhood Advocacy Day trip to Albany for parents and providers to urge legislators for more support of affordable child care and funding for Early Intervention and preschool special education services. The trip is free and breakfast and lunch is provided. The bus will…

ROC the Future has released its annual "State of Our Children" report card, which tracks key measures of wellbeing of children and youth in the Rochester area.

The Children’s Agenda, a local youth advocacy group, says there is a growing shortage of available child care in New York and the rest of the nation.

A new report from The Children’s Agenda said the city is in the midst of a childcare crisis. According to the report, Rochester has approximately 9,000 kids under the age of 2 at any given time, but just under 1,000 child care slots.

Advocates for children are calling the lack of childcare in Monroe County a crisis. The problem is especially acute for newborns to age three. According to a newly released report by the Children's Agenda, there are only three slots for every 10 babies and toddlers who need care in Monroe…

A new report from The Children’s Agenda finds a deficiency in care for infants in toddlers across Monroe County, particularly in the City of Rochester.

E-News Archive

Many people will say that New York State is an expensive place to live, and a new study on the cost of child care supports that statement. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the average cost of child care for an infant in New York is $15,394 per year. That…

The Rochester Board of Education approved laying off 109 teachers, as well as other district staff, in a split vote late Thursday night that moved spectators to tears.

"ROC The Future" is looking to provide custom-built libraries for students in grades K-3 at Rochester Schools 19 and 39. The first is Monday, Dec. 9th at Barnes & Noble Pittsford, 4 - 8 pm. Another will follow on Friday, Dec. 20th at Barnes & Noble in Greece, 4 -…

A Rochester non-profit, dedicated to speaking for some of Monroe County's most vulnerable residents, went before the legislature Thursday evening to present a "report card" on how it believes the county's 2020 budget will serve the children who live there.

The chants of “Let teachers teach” and “Education is a right, that’s why we have to fight,” echoed clearly down West Broad Street early Thursday evening. They came from a rally organized by the Rochester Teacher’s Association and were meant to send a message: stop the proposed layoffs of Rochester…

E-News Archive

ROC the Future has released its annual "State of Our Children" report card, which tracks key measures of wellbeing of children and youth in the Rochester area.

Graduation rates are up, parents are more engaged and supportive, third grade English Language Arts proficiency has improved and college financial aid applications are on the rise. But Rochester still lags the rest of the state and nation in many other areas in terms of childhood outcomes.

Roc the Future released its "State of Our Children" report card Thursday morning. Group members say there have been gains and small changes in all areas affecting children.

A growing body of research shows that tax credits targeted to low-income families lead to better lifetime outcomes for poor children. The Children’s Agenda has long been supportive of both state and federal efforts to improve these types of tax credits. Pete Nabozny, Director of Policy, The Children's Agenda, explains…

There are key moments in a child’s development that act as the foundation for all future learning, behavior and health. Stress during this short window of time could lead to negative outcomes including developmental delays and even adult heart disease. What makes this moment in a child’s life so critical?

What is the so-called “school-to-prison pipeline”? Local organizations are planning a town hall event to educate the community about their concerns. It starts with school discipline, suspension levels, and expulsion.

E-News Archive

More than three-quarters of the brain develops in early childhood, before kids even get to preschool or kindergarten. That means that giving children every opportunity to learn, grow and develop from age zero is fundamental. And that’s why the Children’s Agenda Inc. was established some 15 years ago.

This is the second of a series of blog posts regarding the current RSCD budget situation. The Rochester City School District (RCSD) is currently looking for ways to save $30.1 million this year to make up for overspending in the 2018-2019 budget. In The Children’s Agenda’s first blog post we…

The Greater Rochester After-School Alliance (GRASA) on Thursday will partner with the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, Healthi Kids, the Greater Rochester Summer Learning Association (GRSLA), United Way of Greater Rochester Inc. and the Children’s Agenda to host a “Lights On Afterschool” event.

KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit that works to ensure every kid and community have access to quality playspaces, has selected ROC the Future to lead a playground project here.

The Greater Rochester Community of Churches Faith in Action Network is celebrating 100 years of bringing together Rochesterians from different faith traditions. 

The Children's Agenda hosted a candidates forum Wednesday night.

The Greater Rochester Community of Churches is marking its 100th anniversary with an event that showcases faith and arts this weekend. The County Executive and County Legislator Candidate Forum will be held October 16 at the Schottland Family YMCA starting at 7 p.m.

The Children's Agenda will host a forum for county executive and County Legislature candidates at the new Schottland Family YMCA, 2200 Jefferson Road in Pittsford, from 7 to 9 p.m. Candidates will be asked to discuss child care, child abuse and neglect, programs for pre-school children, and other services for…

As the Nov. 5 general election draws near, local Hispanics are being encouraged to get out and exercise their right to vote.

Election Day is just over three weeks away. Voters have a wide range of issues that they prioritize. Guest talk about children in need in our community and funding for early intervention services and preschool special education services. The conversation comes in advance of an upcoming candidate forum hosted by The Children's…

An upcoming forum is looking to have county executive and county legislator candidates answer questions about county services for children and families. The County Executive and County Legislator Candidate Forum will be held October 16 at the Schottland Family YMCA starting at 7 p.m.