Children's Advocate
Email Bulletin -- Fall 2011
Now available in English, Spanish, and selected
articles in Chinese at www.4children.org
Perspective:
Our Bright Round Moon. This Autumn moon marks a
special time here at Children's Advocate as we
introduce our first Chinese language content in printed
format.
Policy
Smart
- Weigh in on Legislation
- Help Shape Healthy School Policies
- Free Lead Screening for Artificial Grass
- 2011-12 State Budget Aftermath
Right
Now: Vaccines Protect Children. Mariah Bianchi speaks
out about her son's death from whooping cough, she says,
because "we have to protect each other [by getting
vaccinated]. The stories we share make a difference."
** Includes additional resources
Profiles
in Action: Parents Get More Involved at School.
Immigrant parents are strengthening their role in decision-making
at San Francisco’s Cesar Chavez Elementary School.
As
We Grow And Learn: Prepare for the Unexpected. Families
need to prepare for unexpected events, such as an earthquake,
a fire, or even an long power outage.
** Includes additional resources
Wonder
Why: Play: Fun With a Serious Purpose. "Children
learn best when they're active [and] engaged in something…
meaningful to them," says developmental psychologist
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek.
Science
Talk: Guess What is Science! Show your child a toy.
Then put it behind your back. Ask, "Where did it
go?" Bring the toy back and say, "Here it
is!" Your child will become curious.
Math
Talk: Math is Everywhere You Go. Sit by a tree with
your baby. Talk about the branches, leaves, and the
wind. Say the word "tree" and let your baby
touch the leaves and trunk. Smile.
We encourage you to download and share our articles,
and to forward this email to others.
Tools for advocates
Legislation addendum
The Fall Policy Smart included a round-up of legislation
affecting children that was under consideration by the
Legislature. Here are some additional bills that we
did not have room to include in the issue -- or that
were introduced after the issue went to press. Governor
Brown has until October 9 to sign or veto legislation.
Contact the Governor to weigh in.
Healthy food finance initiative: AB 581 (Pérez)
would set up an initiative to expand access to healthy
food in underserved communities. This would help address
obesity and diabetes epidemics in low-income communities
and communities of color.
Simplified health insurance application process:
AB 1296 (Bonilla) would establish streamlined application
procedures for state health insurance coverage. This
would make the appliction process easier for families.
Vetoed by the Governor:
Family child care unions: AB 101 (Pérez)
was a last-minute bill that would have allowed family
child care providers to unionize if they receive state
subsidies to care for children from low-income families.
This would also have applied to some family, friend,
and neighbor caregivers (license-exempt providers) who
receive subsidies for the children in their care. Starting
in 2014, unionized child care providers would have been
able to negotiate with the state for higher reimbursement
rates for subsidized child care. This bill was vetoed
by the Governor on Oct 4.
Supporters say low wages, limited benefits, delayed
and reduced subsidy payments have forced teachers and
providers to leave the profession. This limits working
families' access to child care. Studies also link higher
wages for teachers and providers to reduced staff turnover
and better quality care. Being part of a union would
give providers and families a stronger voice to speak
out for the children they serve. But children's advocates
also say some providers may decide to stop accepting
children with child care subsidies rather than join
a union -- which could reduce families' access to care.
California legislators to study status of boys and
men of color
Legislators have begun a year-long study of health,
school success, incarceration, and other issues that
affect the well-being of California's boys and young
men of color. The Select Committee on the Status of
Boys and Men of Color has been holding hearings about
the challenges and vulnerabilities that boys and men
of color face in education, health, justice, and employment.
For example, students of color are more likely to have
crowded classrooms, less qualified teachers, and an
overall lack of resources. The hearings will also discuss
community factors and bring attention to the disproportionately
low outcomes for boys of color.
For more information, contact Amy Alley from
the Office
of Assemblymember Sandre Swanson, 916-319-2016
Oct 20: Lights
On Afterschool is an opportunity to celebrate afterschool
programs and advocate for additional programs that help
keep children safe, foster learning, and allow families
to work. For more information or resources, contact
Afterschool
