The Children's Agenda Inc

Advocates for equitable and sustainable Universal Pre-K funding in New York State, responds to major investments such as the $1.6 billion allocated for service expansion to nearly all 4-year-olds, and publishes policy analysis and reports to inform funding reform and equity improvements.

Advocates for a universal child care system that ensures quality, affordable care and fair wages for educators; responds to major state budget investments in child care, including the $3 billion allocation in SFY27, and has contributed to policy wins expanding access to New York State’s Child Care Assistance Program, benefiting over 100,000 additional children since 2021.

Organizes a monthly Child Care Organizing and Advocacy Group meeting online via Zoom to mobilize stakeholders and advance policy goals related to child care and family economic security.

Has staff representation on the NYS Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, contributing expertise to state-level policy development and monitoring of child poverty reduction efforts.

Responds to federal policy changes such as the Trump administration's freeze on child care grants through public advocacy, expert commentary, and media engagement to highlight impacts on families and providers.

Issues public statements in response to key legislative actions, including the signing of the Child Poverty Reduction Act in 2021 and major state budget allocations, to analyze impacts and advocate for continued progress in child and family economic security.

Conducts and publishes statewide voter polls on child care, family economic security, developmental services, and education policy priorities, including polls in December 2025 and 2025, as well as parent-specific polls in Monroe County assessing affordability challenges and policy solutions.

Provides expert testimony at state and local legislative budget hearings on human services, health, education, and taxation, including the Joint Legislative Budget Hearings on Human Services (2026), State Taxes (2024), Health (SFY2026), and Rochester City School District budgets (2025–26).

Implements an Antiracism Workplan adopted and updated in 2024, focusing on goals in organizational effectiveness, advocacy, partnerships, Board development, and staff development to advance racial equity across operations and policy work.

Advocates for comprehensive inclusion of maternal and child health in New York’s 1115 Medicaid waiver, supports continuous Medicaid coverage from birth to age 6, and co-signs coalition letters with up to 59 organizations to influence waiver design and implementation.

Publishes annual impact updates summarizing achievements for children and families (2023 and 2024) and issues policy and budget recommendations for local governments, including Monroe County and the City of Rochester, focused on reducing childhood poverty, expanding library access, and addressing youth mental health.

Compiles and shares a booklist of children's literature designed to promote empathy, understanding, and respect through reading as part of community engagement and educational outreach.

Produces research reports on school district budgets, including the RCSD 2026–27 draft budget, mental health clinic access, suspensions, school climate, and meals, informed by input from parent leaders and community listening sessions, and advocates for restoration of student support positions.

Conducts research and publishes reports, fact sheets, and analyses on the status of New York’s Early Intervention program, including county-level data, barriers to timely access, cost savings in PK-12 systems, and recommendations for reform, such as in the report “Reimagine the Future: The Need to Reform Early Intervention in New York State.”

Conducts studies and publishes reports documenting family experiences and systemic barriers in enrolling in public benefit programs such as WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, and child care assistance, based on surveys and community input, and provides recommendations to improve access for New York state officials.