Children Now Insider: A newsletter that focuses on the power of children’s advocacy

The case for funding children’s advocacy
I authored this op-ed – Beyond Direct Provision – published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review about how supporting advocacy efforts can unlock billions in public funding for kids and catalyze major, systemic change. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic!

Leading CA gubernatorial candidates meet with Children’s Movement members 
We hosted a special webinar series featuring moderated Q&As with me and nearly all of California’s leading gubernatorial candidates: Becerra, Bianco, Mahan, Porter, Steyer, Thurmond, and Villaraigosa (four other candidates – Swalwell, Yee, Atkins, and Kounalakis – participated or had interviews scheduled before leaving the race). All members of The Children’s Movement of California were invited to attend.

The conversations were recorded, and you can view them here.

Take action in support of education governance reform
More than 800 organizations across California have already signed on in support of improving how our state’s education system is governed. This growing list of supporters is signaling to policymakers the importance of long overdue and more coordinated education leadership that works better for kids. Please make sure any organization/business you’re affiliated with adds their support. And if you’re unable to sign your organization on but would still like to support this critical effort, please add your name as an individual!

Children Now hosts environmental health advocacy day
On May 6th, Children Now mobilized our California Alliance for Children’s Environmental Health (CACEH) and partnered with seven other organizations for the 2nd Annual Children’s Environmental Health Advocacy Day in Sacramento. Parents, doctors, nurses, local advocates, and community members headed to the Capitol to meet directly with lawmakers on bills that protect kids from environmental harm.

In case you missed it: Children’s Movement match opportunity
A generous supporter has agreed to match every donation we receive in support of The Children’s Movement between now and May 15. Every contribution will have an impact, regardless of the size, and all gifts will be doubled. If you’ve been thinking about making a tax-deductible donation, now is the time! Please consider sharing this opportunity with your networks; more information can be found here.

Key Presentations
Children Now staff regularly attend, present, and testify at local, state, and national events and hearings. Recent highlights include:

• Eileen Espejo moderated a panel at Equity on the Road at Fresno State University that featured community members speaking about the challenges facing them in the San Joaquin Valley regarding immigration, health, housing, education, environmental justice, land use and planning, and broadband access.
• Kelly Hardy testified in support of a diaper safety bill we are co-sponsoring that would make it easier for parents to know exactly what toxic chemicals are in their baby’s diapers.
• Nora Angeles testified at both Assembly and Senate hearings pressing lawmakers to protect children’s Medi-Cal and affordable health care access in the face of H.R.1.
• I moderated a candidate forum for Superintendent of Public Instruction contenders at San Diego City College, which Children Now hosted in partnership with the Alliance for Candidate Engagement in Education; the recording is available here.

Children Now in the News
Buffy Wicks is on a Rescue Mission – PoliticoPro Technology: California Decoded
California is leading national preschool expansion, but quality lags, report says – Los Angeles Times
A baby uses 3,000 diapers a year. Why a state lawmaker wants parents to know how they’re made. – Los Angeles Times
Diapers To Change for Over 1 Million Babies Under New Proposal – Sacramento Bee
Immigrant families in California fear losing benefits amid public charge confusion – EdSource
Kids with no safe place to rest at night are becoming chronically homeless adults – CalMatters
Legislative Analyst sees merit in Gov. Newsom’s plan for realigning California’s school bureaucracy – EdSource
Tech’s Rough Day in Committee – PoliticoPro Technology: California Decoded
Federal Cuts Revive a California Lawmaker’s Push for Single-Payer Health Care – Capital & Main
Is age-gating social media the answer? Advocates aren’t sure. – PoliticoPro Technology: California Decoded
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New Blog Posts
How Home Visiting Day Has Grown From a Local Celebration to a Statewide Movement
How Medi-Cal Cuts Have Threatened Care for California Kids & Families
How Home Visitors and a New Law Ensure Families Don’t Navigate Challenges Alone
Kids’ Oral Health Success Stories in Northern California