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Recommendations for use of American Rescue Plan Funds
April 22, 2021
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a $1.9 billion stimulus plan designed to accelerate our nation’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It contains a number of measures to provide direct relief to families, e.g. $1,400 stimulus checks to households, extended unemployment benefits and emergency housing assistance, and $5 billion for federal food aid. The pandemic recovery is addressed with $160 billion for vaccine distribution, supplies, emergency response, testing and the public health workforce.
A significant portion of ARPA funds are directed to children and families through provisions that include changes to federal tax credits and increased resources for child care, PreK-12 education, and closing the digital divide.
2021 Analysis of Monroe County Budget – Full Report
December 3, 2020
The Children’s Agenda offers this review of the proposed 2021 County budget and its impact on children and youth. It is a contribution to the local dialogue about how to best use limited resources to create a thriving community for families. Children are the poorest and most diverse segment of Monroe County’s population. This report was developed amid a sharp uptick in COVID-19 infections locally, ten months into a pandemic which has resulted in greater needs among Monroe County children and restricted access to services to address them. The United Hospital Fund estimates that 10,000 more Monroe County children will be pushed into poverty as a result of the pandemic. And all of our children’s health, learning, social interactions, and safety are markedly threatened.
2021 Analysis of Monroe County Budget – Executive Summary
December 3, 2020
The Children’s Agenda offers this review of the proposed 2021 County budget and its impact on children and youth. It is a contribution to the local dialogue about how to best use limited resources to create a thriving community for families. Children are the poorest and most diverse segment of Monroe County’s population. This report was developed amid a sharp uptick in COVID-19 infections locally, ten months into a pandemic which has resulted in greater needs among Monroe County children and restricted access to services to address them. The United Hospital Fund estimates that 10,000 more Monroe County children will be pushed into poverty as a result of the pandemic. And all of our children’s health, learning, social interactions, and safety are markedly threatened.
2020 ROC the Future – State of Our Children Report
November 10, 2020
ROC the Future began as a StriveTogether community (one of 70 nationwide), using collective impact to address very complex issues impeding positive outcomes for children.
Community Schools Data Synthesis
October 30, 2020
A review was done of research and evaluations on community schools throughout the country plus available data on community schools in Rochester. Synthesis of the information can inform development of a community school system. There are varying principles community schools are based on, including collaboration, equity, and a mixed model. Community schools can impact students, teachers, families, communities, and systems. In Rochester the demographics of community schools are, overall, proportionate to the district, but notable variability exists. Current academic outcomes and available staff also vary greatly. Needs assessments indicate priorities for strengthening relationships, supporting social-emotional learning and restorative practices, increasing academic support, meeting basic needs, and engaging families
2020 Policy Brief: Paying the Highest Price
September 30, 2020
The Rochester City School District (RCSD) is facing unprecedented mid-year reductions in education aid from New York State. These cuts surpass the losses faced by any other school district in Monroe County, and are among the highest of any school district in New York State. The state’s current approach to budget reductions disproportionately targets districts with the highest needs, undermines the purpose of New York State aid to local school districts, and bolsters institutional racism in our community.
2020 Policy Brief: Reopening Schools
September 8, 2020
The Children’s Agenda is deeply concerned that school closures are disproportionately harming our most vulnerable children. We believe schools need to reopen safely as soon as possible, but are concerned the politicization of the issue, and the lack of sufficient resources and clear guidelines for schools, is putting reopening—and children’s wellbeing—in jeopardy.
Digital Divide In Rochester – Updated August 2020
August 24, 2020
As the data in this report will demonstrate, the digital divide similarly has disproportionate impact on Rochester’s Hispanic/Latino communities. This report was originally written to inform immediate responses to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. It has been updated to reflect work that has been done to further close the divide. Information has also been added to inform long-term systemic changes to bridge the digital divide in substantial and sustainable ways.
2020-2021 Report TCA Review of City of Rochester’s Budget
June 15, 2020
PRIORITY RECOMMENDATION #1:
Eliminate the School Resource Officer contract with the Rochester City School District.
Under the School Resource Officer (SRO) contract, armed Rochester police officers have been present in a number of Rochester schools since 1998. There is increasing concern that this program has accelerated the school-to-prison pipeline in Rochester, as the permanent presence of armed police on school grounds may unintentionally lead to the criminalization of youth for normal adolescent behavior.
