2021 Pro-Kid Policy Agenda for California

"The 2021 Pro-Kid Policy Agenda for California" is the comprehensive state-level roadmap to ensure that all children have the necessary supports to reach their full potential. California has an obligation to end systemic injustices that create barriers to kids of color, as well as kids living in poverty and undocumented kids, from growing up healthy and ready for college, career, and civic life. This work has only become more urgent as the COVID-19 pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on the lives of California's kids, especially Black and brown children, and other children of color. Children and youth are increasingly experiencing stress, social isolation, disconnectedness and serious mental health issues. And the learning loss and lack of preventive health care because of the pandemic threatens this entire generation of children. Policymakers are urged to use the "Pro-Kid Agenda" as a guide to take long overdue action now to ensure California's systems for children are equitable, well-funded, high-quality, and accountable to kids' success. "The Agenda" was compiled by Children Now, California's whole-child organization focused on the range of issues critical to improving children's well-being, including early learning and development, K-12 and higher education, children's health, family and economic supports and foster care. The organization plays a lead role in more than 90 coalitions across the state and coordinates The Children's Movement of California, a network of more than 4,100 diverse organizations statewide, including direct service, business, civil rights, youth, parent, faith-based, and community groups. "The Agenda" reflects the top priorities of each of those coalitions and members. [For "2019-20 Pro-Kid Policy Agenda for California," see ED593288.]