Michael Shipler’s Post

In partnership with Hart Research, we recently conducted a nationwide poll on child care on behalf of First Five Years Fund - and the results show voters want candidates to address this issue heading into the 2024 elections. Across party lines, an overwhelming 89% of voters want candidates to have a concrete plan to address child care access and affordability for working families. It resonates with both parents and those without kids, because they see it as critical for strengthening the economy. The data reveals robust voter support for a number of policy changes - including increasing tax credits - to ease the burden on families. See how this pivotal issue is resonating with Republican, Independent and Democratic voters alike as they evaluate their 2024 choices. https://lnkd.in/eJVAUYmS

As the 2025 legislature begins, we will face a $10-12-billion-dollar shortfall over the next four years. The need for new revenue is urgent. Last time, lawmakers chose to balance the budget at the expense of low-income Washingtonians, children, and people with disabilities through devastating cuts over passing more equitable and progressive revenue. Now, they have the perfect opportunity this session to right those wrongs. Lawmakers must pass multiple progressive revenue solutions to fund the programs and services that help make Washington communities affordable and a desirable place to live. Read more about our legislative agenda: https://lnkd.in/gyiEUVgU

These families and their concentrations of wealth and power have not created value. Instead, the first used unsustainable family planning to create their own growing audiences and artificial demand by ensuring dismal standards for child development and education, treating people as economic inputs rather than citizens while benefiting from the appearance of inclusive and functional democracies where the average vote was being diluted to uselessness. Read more here:https://bit.ly/40GmR9K #FairStart #families #familyplanning #standards

🤔💭 Wondering what the Federal Budget delivers for the disability community? Dive into these essential reads to understand the impact: 🔍 People with Disability Australia (PWDA) responds to the Federal Budget: Some immediate relief but little for our future 🔗 https://ow.ly/4c3F50RGFmE 📢 Ministers for the Department of Social Services media release: Budget delivers for people with disability 🔗 https://ow.ly/YZFF50RGFmB 📄 The Treasury Budget 2024-25 Overview: Cost of living help and a future made in Australia 🔗 https://ow.ly/Yrxz50RGFmC

Children and Youth Policy Update United Parents and the California Mental Health Advocates for Children and Youth (CMHACY) are partnering to bring state policy and legislative information to California's children and youth stakeholders. CA Governor Proposes Elimination of Family Urgent Response System (FURS) to Foster Youth and Resource Families Governor Newsom is facing a multi-billion dollar budget crisis attributed, in a large degree the result of tax revenues coming in much lower than projected. In the state budget process this year, the Governor has proposed the elimination of the Family Urgent Response System (FURS). This would save the state $30 Million in State General Funds.  The Governor’s proposed budget threatens to harm the very children and youth the State has a moral and legal obligation to support & protect. FURS was initially funded as part of the 2019-20 budget package: 1)    FURS is a child welfare-specific support system created by & for children & youth who are currently in the child welfare system, as well as former youth in the child welfare system, along w/ their families. 2)    FURS is a statewide hotline & local in-person mobile response teams in all 58 counties in California. 3)    FURS provides immediate, individual support anytime, anywhere, regardless of the issue, including in person support usually within 1 hour. 4)    FURS services are provided by dedicated, specifically trained staff who understand the unique needs of children and youth in foster care & their families. 5)    FURS provides ongoing support services beyond the initial mobile response. FURS Benefits: 1)    FURS intervenes early to prevent crises & further trauma & improve outcomes for children & youth in foster care. 2)    FURS preserves placements & relationships, reduces the need for higher levels of care. 3)    FURS aids recruitment & retention of caregivers through the promise of a dedicated support system that is there whenever & wherever they need it. 4)    FURS reduces the costs associated with frequent placement changes & higher levels of care by preserving placements & ensuring children, youth & caregivers have the resources & supports they need to be successful. Like thousands of families & caregivers in CA, they have depended on the supports of the FURS program. Prior to the FURS program many families resorted to calling 911. FURS has received approximately 11,000 calls since it’s inception & about 5000 calls annually. The vast majority of these calls has resulted in stabilizing the placement & in many cases has provided ongoing supports. Foster parents, caregivers, providers & advocates in CA are strongly encouraged to contact your local representative (look that up here: https://lnkd.in/ggqhMHkN ), & insist that FURS program be maintained & removed from the Governor’s list of cuts.  Our foster youth deserve better. *Be active in local city, county, and state measures & policies. Be the change, you want to see!

🌟 Human Rights Day 2024: Our Rights, our future, right now 🌟 As we commemorate Human Rights Day tomorrow, it is crucial to reflect on the rights of children and young people. This year's theme "Our Rights, our future, right now" resonates deeply with my mission as ACT’s Children and Young People Commissioner. Children and young people are at the heart of our future, and the rights and interests of our future generations must be protected and upheld today. One of the pressing issues affecting them is the right to housing. Stable housing is not just a basic need, it is a fundamental human right that impacts every aspect of children's and young people's lives. The ABS 2021 Census data on homelessness revealed a stark reality: 1 in 4 people without homes were children and young people under 18 years old, and the number of homeless children and young people had increased by 12% since the 2016 Census. Frequent moves due to high rents and other socio-economic factors disrupt schooling and friendships, creating instability that can have long-lasting effects. In recognition of Human Rights Day, the ACT Human Rights Commission is hosting an event focused on housing as a human right. Join us as Dr Penelope Mathew, ACT Human Rights Commission President and Human Rights Commissioner, and an expert panel delve into critical questions such as: - What is included in the human right to housing? - How does housing contribute to children's and young people's stability, reduce family violence, and promote good health? - What legal changes are needed to better protect the right to housing? 📅 Click on the link in the first comment to register for 'Housing as a right: where to now?'   Let's come together to ensure that every child and young person has the right to a safe, stable home. Our actions today will shape their future. #HumanRightsDay #OurRightsOurFutureRightNow #ChildrensRights #HousingIsAHumanRight #ACTHumanRightsCommission

Since we're talking about Justin Trudeau, his $10/day child care initiative is a pretty big success. Launched in 2021, it took time to roll out and is still pretty new. But already it has led to improved wages and expanded employment in early learning and child care. Improved child care has help expand women's labor force participation by 1.4% and narrowed the gap between men and women. And child care costs for families are down (contrary to inflation). Pretty good stuff. More here: https://lnkd.in/eXYfpVJ2

Your parents’ or guardians’ income will usually affect whether you can get Youth Allowance and how much you can get until you turn 22. That’s because Centrelink's default position is to consider you dependent on your parents, even if you’re not. If you claim Youth Allowance, Centrelink will assess your parents’ or guardians’ income - and reassess it each year until you turn 22. Learn more about the parental income test at: https://buff.ly/4iyFS4H ⠀ There are some exemptions to this rule.

These families and their concentrations of wealth and power have not created value. Instead, the first used unsustainable family planning to create their own growing audiences and artificial demand by ensuring dismal standards for child development and education, treating people as economic inputs rather than citizens while benefiting from the appearance of inclusive and functional democracies where the average vote was being diluted to uselessness. Read more here:https://bit.ly/40GmR9K #FairStart #families #familyplanning #standards

In the U.S., there's NO national paid family leave policy. Childcare is INACCESSIBLE and UNAFFORDABLE. And maternal mortality is a NATIONAL emergency. American systems weren't built for modern mothers, and the needs of moms across the country have been ignored by lawmakers for far too long. Frankly, we're fed up—and fired up! But often mothers lose faith that their actions will make a difference. Not this year. In 2024, Chamber of Mothers is uniting mothers across the country to Vote Like a Mother®. We're empowering mothers with the information and tools they need to vote according to their interests in this election cycle and beyond. We will: ☑️Increase voter registration and participation among women and mothers ☑️ Highlight and amplify public policy issues disproportionately impact mothers ☑️ Create a voter identity for mothers, and activate them to vote in their interests ☑️ Engage partners to amplify impact and reach The bottom line: Moms united are powerful. So, together with I am a voter. and theSkimm, we're declaring today Register a Mom to Vote Day! All you have to do is: 📱Text MOTHER to 26797 to get voter registration information and a guide to the ballot items that matter most to moms. And, when you're done, why not pass it on to your group chat, share this post and help spread the word! #registeramomtovoteday #votelikeamother