The Children's Agenda

TAKE ACTION TUESDAY‼️📞Call the Governor and leaders in the Senate and Assembly now to say kids can’t wait for Early Intervention! After years of underfunding, New York State’s Early Intervention Program is long overdue for investment. Governor Hochul approved a 5% rate increase for providers - use your voice to help ensure the implementation of the rate increase so providers can deliver services to children when and where they need them. Use the script to guide you through making the calls!

Have you made your call? Fill out the Google Form in our bio!

TAKE ACTION TUESDAY!! Call-In Day for Early Intervention!

Call Governor Hochul and members of the New York State Legislature today and tell them: KIDS CAN’T WAIT! It is imperative that the 5% rate increase promised to providers is implemented as soon as possible.

Use the script and instructions to help guide you: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1BocOYAgwA2tjISB3pwUscXsOLMWGJ6iSg9PemfdjswU/viewform?edit_requested=true

TAKE ACTION TUESDAY!! Call-In Day for Early Intervention!

New York State’s budget included a 5% rate increase for in-person Early Intervention services. However, we recently learned there’s been a delay in implementing the increase and we need your help: call Governor Hochul and members of the New York State Legislature today and tell them KIDS CAN'T WAIT!

Find sample call scripts, instructions, and phone numbers here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1BocOYAgwA2tjISB3pwUscXsOLMWGJ6iSg9PemfdjswU/viewform?edit_requested=true

Citizens' Committee for Children of New York
The Children's Agenda
Advocates for Children of New York
Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy
Liftoff WNY

We are honored to be sponsoring this town hall hosted by to uplift the voices of Rochester families speaking on their interactions with CPS. We know that CPS involvement can affect family dynamics and well-being. We also know that family experiences with CPS vary based on socioeconomic status and race.

According to Hope 585, “there are more than 7,000 reports of abuse or neglect every year in Monroe County alone, but fewer than 20% are substantiated“

TCA’s CEO, Larry Marx, spoke with reporters from News10NBC this morning about the upcoming town hall. He says “Most CPS cases begin with a finding of neglect, that’s a really nebulous finding and at root of neglect is poverty. And the answer to poverty is not to fight the parents, the answer is to help the parents.”

Brandy Cooper from Hope 585 added, “We are hoping that the community will feel heard, that they will know that their voice matters in their situations and they get to express, without judgment, without any thinking that something will happen to them.”

REPOST: Only one week left until the HOPE585 Town Hall! Don’t miss your chance to engage with community members and share your stories about the impact of the child welfare system. Reserve your spot for free today!

We are excited to kick off Children's Interfaith Weekend in Monroe County! Children's Interfaith Weekend is all about coming together and taking action for kids. The Children's Agenda has written a letter outlining the issue of family affordability and solutions that our communities support for Monroe County to more effectively fight poverty. We are calling on the Monroe County Legislature to put children and families first in the 2025 county budget.

TAKE ACTION! Help circulate the letter and collect signatures by sharing it widely in your faith community through a bulletin, newsletter, email, social media or special events and worship services! DEADLINE TO COLLECT SIGNATURES IS NOVEMBER 8TH!

We have compiled materials to help faith advocates gather signatures! Go to https://thechildrensagenda.org/partnerships/interfaith/ to read the letter and access the materials!

🚨 ACTION ALERT! 🚨
NY families & Early Intervention providers need your voice! Gov. Hochul promised a 5% rate increase for providers by April 2024, but it’s been delayed— !

Send your letter TODAY to urge Governor Hochul to keep her promise!

👪 Parents: https://loom.ly/bs54cOk
💼 Providers/Advocates: https://loom.ly/nK2WR6o

Through the City Council Parks, People, and Public Works Committee, Council Vice President LaShay Harris Rochester City Council South is leading an effort to address childhood poverty. A goal of the project is to hear directly from residents with lived experience on the causes and potential solutions to end childhood poverty.

One tool to do this is through an online survey. The survey, created in partnership with The Children's Agenda, is accessible at https://forms.office.com/r/jeN1QJ8SDg (in English) and at https://forms.office.com/r/CkbrSNx9Gd (in Spanish) or by using the QR code in this poster. Your input is needed.

Families report that benefit amounts are insufficient amid rising food costs. In Rochester, The Children's Agenda found that even when families qualify for WIC, limited local vendors make it difficult to use their benefits in their own neighborhoods. https://loom.ly/93Cj40g

Take Action and repost!!

NYS aims to cut child poverty by 50% by 2032, yet many families can't access vital services. The report takes a closer look at the issues.

Thank you to Raising New York and our partners at @ and .ny for this collaboration. This report helps to understand how poverty-reduction & early childhood programs like child care subsidies, WIC, & SNAP can advance equity in NYS. The report outlines strategies for New York State to enhance families’ economic well-being, ultimately benefiting children and communities.

Read the full report at https://raisingnewyork.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/Benefit-Barriers-Report-Oct-2024-Raising-NY.pdf%20

We are hiring! We have an exciting opportunity to communicate the growing impact of The Children’s Agenda as our Communications Manager.

Ideal candidates:
-Have demonstrated excellence in writing, editing, verbal and public communications
-Are highly skilled in developing and implementing engagement strategies for advocacy
-Bring a highly collaborative style and strong experience in coordinating teams and being a team player

For information about the position, go to thechildrensagenda.org/about/join-our-team/

We extend a huge congratulations to Angie, President and CEO at Ibero-American Action League for being named by Senator Samra Brouk as the New York State Senate Women of Distinction honoree!

Angie has been a Board Member of The Children's Agenda since 2022. She leans into challenging conversations and brings with her a unique and deep understanding of systemic issues. We thank Angie for enriching our community and disrupting narratives about poverty, trauma, and racism- she has made a mark on The Children's Agenda and nonprofits around Rochester. She is an authentic woman, a bold advocate, and an inspiration to us all!

The New York State Senate Women of Distinction program honors:

🪜Women of every ethnic, economic, and religious background, who have broken barriers and enriched our State and Nation.

💡Women who have made their mark in history as pioneers in their field, therefore laying the foundation for women after them to succeed.

❤️‍🩹Women who have enhanced the well-being and vitality of their community, with a commitment to excellence.

A celebration event in honor of Angie Perez-Delgado will be held on Wednesday, October 2nd!
Time: 2PM
Event Address: 938 Clifford Ave Rochester, NY 14621

RSVP at sites.google.com/samrabrouk.com/women-of-distinction/home

From September 15th to October 15th, we celebrate the contributions of Hispanic Americans that have led to many achievements in the United States. We also celebrate the rich history and culture of the Hispanic community. Although Hispanic Americans have made major contributions and progress in the United States, many still lack access to paid leave, paid sick days, and child care.

According to the Urban Institute:

“Ethnic and racial disparities exist in access to paid leave. Although 72 percent of white workers reported having access to at least one form of paid leave, only 58 percent of Hispanic/Latinx adults and 67 percent of Black adults reported having access to at least one form of paid leave. In addition, 41 percent of Hispanic/Latinx workers said they could take time off for the birth or adoption of a child and 40 percent for care of an ill family member compared to 57 percent of white workers who said they could take time off for both types of leave.”

This National Hispanic Heritage Month, and every month, we must advocate to ensure that working families of Hispanic heritage have access to the same labor rights as everyone else.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in our communities, we have compiled a list of local events in Rochester, NY!