Stimulus fund resources

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides stimulus funds to states, including additional funding for a range of programs that benefit young children. Advocates can use the following policy options and tools to make sure California uses these funds to better support
children and families.

Official resources:

• Recovery.gov
• US Department of Education
• California Economic Recovery Portal
• California Department of Education

Early childhood:

• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, from NAEYC
• Making Use of Economic Recovery Funds: Child Care Policy Options for States,
  from the Center for Law and Social Policy and National Women’s
  Law Center
• Navigating the Opportunities for Families with Young Children in the American
  Recovery and Reinvestment Act, from Zero to Three (an interactive
  tool)
• Federal Stimulus Funding Available for Children's Programs in California, from Children Now, is organized by area—after school, early care and education, health, K-12 education, media, obesity

Health:

• Recommendations for the Prevention and Wellness Funds, from Prevention Institute
  and PolicyLink
• Federal Stimulus Funding Available for Children's Programs in California, from Children Now, is organized by area—after school, early care and education, health, K-12 education, media, obesity

Schools:

• Federal Stimulus Funding Available for Children's Programs in California, from Children Now, is organized by area—after school, early care and education, health, K-12 education, media, obesity
• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Recommendations for Addressing
  the Needs of English Language Learners, from the English Language Learner Working Group
• Using ARRA Funds to Drive School Reform and Improvement, from the US
  Department of Education

General:

• What does the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act mean for California?
  from the California Budget Project
  
  

California Budget Gridlock: Grandma Tells the Story

A Children's Advocate comic book

Now available!

Grandma talks with her grandson, Tony, about the state budget crisis, including

• how the budget crisis started
• its continuing negative effects on services for children and families
• some ideas for creating change.

In an easy-to-read, accessible, comic book format.

Download the pdf
Spanish pdf version
Chinese pdf version (download each page separately)

On the ballot May 19

With the May 19th election fast approaching, here are some nonpartisan election resources that can help you get the word out to colleagues, parents, and students:

• Children's Advocate election coverage of Propositions 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E includes summaries of the measures along with pro and con arguments.
  
• Easy Voter Guide is available from the California League of Women Voters in six languages.
  
• Smart Voter, also from the League of Women Voters, provides nonpartisan information on state and local ballot measures, searchable by address or zip code.
  
• California Budget Project offers in-depth, nonpartisan analyses of Propositions 1A, 1C, 1D, and 1E.

May Children's Advocate now online!

This issue includes our election coverage for the May election and a special easy-to-read comic book about California's budget gridlock. Teachers and providers will be interested in our professional development article -- learning social skills through play, as well as an article about how the Water Cooler is bringing children's advocates together. Articles of interest to parents include our parent advice article on raising boys and two articles about parent activism. Here's a full list of articles:

• On the Ballot May 19: Nonpartisan election coverage of Propositions 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E
  
• Grassroots snapshot: San Francisco parents get an advocate on the school board
  
• Hot topics: “I don’t want more kids to get asthma”
  Parents and advocates take action against pollution to prevent asthma in their communities
  
• Early care and education--Learning through play: “A recipe for life success”
  Children develop social skills through play
  
• Raising kids: Overcoming Stereotypes, Part 2: “We’re encouraging ourson to be happy and expressive”
  Families and educators share tips for raising boys
  
• “A coalition that’s broad enough to make it happen”
  The Water Cooler brings advocates for young children together
  
• News from the California Child Development CORPS: “I wanted to be part of it!”
  
• News from Parent Voices: Members get involved in federal advocacy campaigns
  
• California Budget Gridlock: Grandma Tells the Story
  A Children's Advocate comic book (available in PDF format only)
  
• Children's Advocate Roundtable: Spring into action: Sacramento lobby days

Read these articles in English and Spanish (Chinese will be up next week), or download the pdfs to share with colleagues, parents, and students. Online at http://www.4children.org/issues/2009/may_june/