Photo by Anissa Thompson

Photo past Anissa Thompson

Hundreds of groups working on behalf of children's issues in California are coming together for the first time to puddle their commonage influence to shape child-friendly policies in the state.

Titled the Children's Motion of California, the effort is being spearheaded by Children Now, an Oakland-based advocacy organization.

In an effort to counter what he calls a "silo-ed" approach to children'south advocacy, Children Now president Ted Lempert, launched the Children's Motion a year ago in an effort to "amass the support for kids we all know is out there."

The Children's Motion now includes more than 200 organizations and advocacy groups. They range from religion-based organizations to businesses and healthcare associations, education groups and mental health advocates.

"When there is a proposal to slash early instruction, the response should not just come from early education groups," said Lempert. "Information technology should exist done in the context of 'this is best for kids.'"

Lempert and other members of the even so incipient Children's Movement believe advocating for children — whether lobbying  for increased admission to healthcare, more funds for early childhood educational activity or expanded after-school programs — comes downwards to one central question: "Are you for kids or against them?"

Lempert said there are thousands of groups in California focusing on kids' issues, but the vast number of groups sometimes impedes advocating on behalf of children, since the groups speak with disparate voices.

From business and the environment to gun rights, other interests oftentimes speak with a far more unified voice,  he said.

That'due south not the case when it comes to children. Equally the Children's Movement website explains:

It boils downward to this: there are really only 2 levers driving policy adoption: money (lobbying dollars and/or campaign contributions) or popular force per unit area. Children don't have enough of either one of these things behind them at present. Relative to pharmaceuticals, financial services, tobacco, beverages, labor, the gaming manufacture, trial lawyers, prisons, seniors, and others, interest group representation for children's causes is sorely outmatched. That's why they're in such bad shape. That's why we demand The Children'due south Movement of California.

What makes the Children'southward Move'due south model of advocacy unusual is that each member is contacted earlier its name is listed in support or opposition to a bill or policy, and can opt in or out depending on its views. Typically, a coalition representing an interest group or policy position lists its name in support or opposition of a particular policy proposal, simply doesn't list each fellow member grouping.

"Each individual entrada is an opt-in," said Lempert, who served in the Land Assembly for eight years. "Groups are listed when they affirmatively back up that particular issue.  Each list of supporters (for unlike problems) will be unlike."

He said the Children'due south Motion is essentially a start-upward within Children Now, rather than a divide organization. Children Now is funded with grants from foundations such every bit Atlantic Philanthropies, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the East Bay Community Foundation and individual donations. All the staff fourth dimension and other costs for the Children'southward Move are underwritten past Children At present.

The movement's agenda is broad, but is distilled into 10 talking points on its website. The calendar ranges from lobbying for a "comprehensive P to 12 teaching acquirement and reform parcel" to providing California children with affordable healthcare. The agenda besides seeks to reduce the state'due south kid obesity rates and to assistance children in the foster care system find a legal permanent home through adoption or legal guardianship.

Lempert acknowledges that directing and focusing an organization with multiple members, agendas, and geographic locations will not be like shooting fish in a barrel. Nevertheless, with email and web-based campaigns, Children'due south Move staff are able to poll fellow member organizations to decide if they will support a specific policy position. Ii Children At present staff members  work primarily on Children'due south Movement matters, and others exercise and then on an as-needed basis.

Assemblyman Roger Dickinson, (D-Sacramento), says he supports the idea of such a broad-based movement on behalf of children. He said children's advocacy groups often don't accept a lot of money for advocacy work, and therefore the groups' political reach can exist express. "Trying to build that broader, deeper level of support across the land is a good idea," he said.

Dickinson introduced a bill concluding year (AB 823) to create a California "Children's Cabinet," one of the items on the Children's Movement agenda. The cabinet would include the land's Superintendent of Public Teaching, the Secretary of Health and Human being Services, and diverse department and bureau heads. The purpose, says Dickinson, would be to develop a "more comprehensive and coordinated policy approach to bug that affect children and families."

Lorne Needle, chief community investment officeholder for United Way of the Bay Expanse, says his agency was one of the first to join the Children's Movement.

"For the almost function we lose more than we win when it comes to kids' issues in Sacramento," explains Needle. He believes the Children's Move, with its broad spectrum of backers, could grow to be an intimidating strength on behalf of kids.

"If (Lempert) tin really assemble a list of thousands of corporations—public individual, large and small—religious groups and others … he will exist fielding a constituent base that is really powerful," said Needle.

"When business is in that location lobbying a member on legislation, they can say 'If y'all vote for this, you are for business. If y'all vote against this, you are against business,'" Needle added.

"I desire to be there when nosotros sit with legislators and say—'If yous can't support this, and then you aren't for kids.' If enough of the states tin become on one folio and take that exact chat, that will exist unique in children's advocacy in California,"  he said

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