E- NEWS

Each month, The Children’s Agenda sends to our subscribers an update on advocacy activities, recent trends, and other opportunities where you can get involved in improving the lives of children in our community, New York State, and in the United States.

Preview - 2023 April Enews

April 2023

At The Children's Agenda we are going the distance for kids. As you read this, the New York state budget is overdue. The budget has been our main focus since January and we won't give up until the final vote is cast. Whatever happens over the coming days, there are some things we know for certain --

Our voice is strong and growing stronger. Recently an Assemblymember remarked, "You all are everywhere." Yes, we are! Our Action Network (including you!) is over 6,000 strong. Our social media messaging is unrelenting. Our parents and partners show up and speak at every opportunity. The press relies on us for reliable information, insight and analysis.

Our vision is clear. We are creating a community where children are a priority. We want kids considered in every public policy decision. That is how we will ensure children thrive.

Our mission is focused. We advocate for effective policies and drive 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.

Our movement is gaining momentum. Over the past few months we set a new personal best with 1,793 people taking action on one of our budget priorities! That's 1,793 people speaking on behalf of infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities.

You. Me. We. Together we can make a difference for children.

Any Day Now

The latest indications from Albany are that voting on the budget bills (there are 10 of them) will start next week. When it does, the votes will likely run late into the night with round the clock activity.

It is critical that, in the last minute flurry of activity, kids stay in the picture. Too often, children's issues are whittled away to close the gap between spending and revenue.

Kids need your voice NOW! If you have not already sent a letter through our Action Network, please take 3 minutes and use the links below to send letters to your representatives on 3 issues:

Invest in Early Intervention so providers are there when kids with developmental delays need them
Expand the Empire State Child Credit so kids birth - 3 years aren't left out
Invest in the child care workforce so kids have consistency, parents have predictability and early childhood educators are paid fairly

If you have already sent all three of these letters, then now is the time to call the Governor's office and leave a message reinforcing these priorities. Be sure and leave your name and where you live in your message.

Governor's Office

(518) 474-8390

Press 3, then press 1

Leave a message

Rochester Rally

This month parents, youth, faith leaders and community members from across Rochester and Monroe County rallied in support of the Solutions Not Suspensions bill (A.5691/S.1040).

The rally was full of energy and hope. We heard testimony from youth about how suspensions for non-violent, minor offenses interrupted their education. We were inspired by parents' vision for schools where all children are supported. We were called to action by faith leaders.

Special thanks to the numerous community organizations that joined in the rally, including:

Learn more from our fact sheet and this news story. Then add your voice by sending a letter to your representatives through our Action Network. You can also submit written testimony for a public hearing being held in Albany in May. Send your written statement by email to Karen Reppy at: reppy@nysenate.gov by 10:00am on May 2nd.

Parent Spotlight

The Solutions Not Suspensions rally was organized by our Very Invested Parents (VIPs) advocacy group. These 30+ parents have grown in strength over the past two years. Mostly Rochester parents and grandparents, they have:

organized rallies
met with legislators
collected petition signatures
provided public comments at school board and City Council meetings

Many of them are active leaders in other parent groups such as the Community Engagement Teams and PTSAs at their children's schools, Parent Leadership Advisory Council, Special Education Parent Advisory Council, Multilingual Education Council, and Parent Leadership Training Institute. Last month many of them also became certified in Mental Health First Aid.

The parents and grandparents meet monthly via Zoom to learn about what's happening locally and at the state level, set their priorities, and organize advocacy actions. New members are always welcome! If you live in Rochester and want to get involved with advocating for policies that support children, contact Carmen Torres at (585) 256-2620 ext. 2613 or carmen@thechildrensagenda.org.

Donor Spotlight

Candles4Kindness

Looking for a Mother's Day gift? Buy a candle and give twice -- once to a special mom in your life and again to The Children's Agenda!

While a student at Nazareth College, Allie Scheer started a side business selling handmade candles online and at local festivals. She learned about The Children's Agenda in one of her classes and chose us to receive a portion of the proceeds from her sales. Last year Allie donated $3,290 to The Children's Agenda.

You can order online at Candles4Kindness. Look for her at spring and summer festivals in the Rochester area, too!

Catch the latest episodes of Raising Rochester! Listen on our website or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.

Season 2, Episode 3: In this episode, Raising Rochester welcomes Aqua Porter, Executive Director of the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI). Aqua speaks with our 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.

Season 2, Episode 4: In this episode, Larry Marx connects with ROC the Future Executive Director, Brian Lewis. ROC the Future is an affiliate of the national Strive Together Network of collective impact initiatives. Tune in to discover how ROC the Future approaches their work with young people through a comprehensive systems perspective.

Thank You to our Recent Donors!

Drs. Marc and Linda Lavender • Paul Tremblay and Dr. Jennifer West

Robin Hood

Hallowell Fund

Mountain Rise United Church of Christ

Children are young for a short time.

You can make a difference by contributing today.

Make a Contribution