Strategies for Children hosted the fall convening of The Early Childhood Agenda on Wednesday, September 27 alongside coalition partners and emerging workgroup leaders.
Video recordings of this meeting are available in English and Spanish on our YouTube Playlist. Click here to view the presentation slides in English. Haga clic aquí para ver las diapositivas de la presentación en Español.
We heard introductions, updates, and next steps from all our newly launched workgroups and existing coalition partners. There is still lots to do to and many ways to get involved.
- Join a newly launched workgroup for an issue you care about! Sign up here and choose from the list of priorities.
- Take Action! Our coalition partners have been working tirelessly to achieve real change for young children and families across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We are seeing the impact during the legislative and budget process. For more updates from coalition partners, you can read our follow-up email. See below for two opportunities for action!
Lift Our Kids coalition’s campaign to raise cash assistance grants to the level of deep poverty
The state budget includes a 10% increase in cash assistance programs. This is the 4th increase in four years after decades of frozen benefit levels. Even with these increases grants are still far below the level of deep poverty. The coalition’s bill sets a floor for financial assistance at 50% the federal poverty level (deep poverty) and increases current financial assistance levels by 25% a year until grants reach that level.
Act Now: Submit written testimony in support of lifting kids out of deep poverty.
The Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities recently held a bill hearing and is still accepting written testimony. Instructions are available here. If you or your organization do submit testimony, please send a copy to Naomi Meyer by September 29 so they can include your written testimony in a packet submitted on behalf of the Lift Our Kids Coalition.
Massachusetts became the 8th state to make universal school meals permanent
The state budget included language making universal school meals permanent in Massachusetts. Every student who wants or needs a school breakfast or lunch will receive one at no cost to their families.
Act Now: Thank Governor Healey and the Legislature for making School Meals for All permanent in Massachusetts!