Q. In these tough times-with the economic downturn, the state budget deficit, and the aftermath of September 11-how can advocates protect children's programs?

A. "We shouldn't accept that children's programs need to be cut because of an economic downturn," says Alan Watahara, executive director of the California Partnership for Children. "We need to rethink strategy, but don't think everything needs to be changed."

Watahara and other leaders recommend that children's advocates:

Work together. Advocates "need to hold hands and say, 'We can't carve kids up into little pieces,'" by funding some children's programs at the expense of others, says Kathy Dresslar, legislative director for Assemblymember Darrell Steinberg.

"Our voices need to be really, really loud and we all need to be on the same page," says Bob Erlenbusch, executive director of the L.A. Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness. "And reach out, particularly to unions. Most folks have children-translate that human connection to action."

"Rally [advocates] around a common message, such as quality child care or after-school programs for every child," says longtime children's policy consultant Steve Barrow. "Then break it down into roles for everyone to work on."

Educate legislators and business leaders. "It's important that legislators understand how their district is impacted by budget decisions," says Barrow. "Educate business and community leaders and bring them to meet with the legislator and their staff."

"Take legislators on tours of different programs," suggests Pat Dorman, public policy chair of the California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC).

"Parents should write letters to the governor, the legislature, the president-immediately!" Dorman adds. "The letter doesn't have to be long, one or two lines about how important services are for low-income families."

Use the media. "Write letters to the editor, make this as public and real as possible. [Take] families to talk with editorial boards. If the media is paying attention, the governor will pay attention," says Lupe Alonzo, senior policy advocate with the Children's Advocacy Institute.

"We need consistent, coherent messages that resonate with the public and the press," agrees Watahara. "And a media campaign to strategically place messages; this might be a good way to collaborate with business."

Call for "economic stimulus" for families. "When you look at tax breaks for business versus low-income consumers, there's a huge imbalance," says Alonzo. "Hotels get a sales tax exemption for linen that costs the state $44 million a year." If advocates push for tax breaks like these to be revoked, "we could fund a state Earned Income Tax Credit to uplift low-income families," she says.

Show cost-effectiveness. "We have to find ways to show immediate savings from the things we do," says Dresslar. Money spent on child care and after-school programs saves taxpayers more money later on, "due to less spending on social services and prisons," Alonzo adds.

Find other funding possibilities. "We do not successfully leverage all the foundation and federal funds available," says Barrow. "Focus on where the state should be looking for other funds to keep and grow programs."

Resources

• California Association for the Education of Young Children, 916-486-7750
  
  
• California Partnership for Children and Families, 916-443-1149
  
  
• Children's Advocacy Institute, 916-444-3875
  
  
• L.A. Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness, 213-439-1070