Roamings of a Leo: California's Crisis: Ending Child Poverty

On Monday I attended a conference at the California Endowment sponsored by them and GRACE (Gather, Respect, Advocate, Change, Engage), a ministry of the Daughters of Charity, which works to reduce barriers to full human development and economic stability for low-income families and their children. The Endowment is a private statewide health foundation with a mission to expand access to affordable, quality health care for under served individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians.

Bob Ross, CEO of the Endowment, welcomed us for the day long conference. He stated that the Affordable Care Act will bring $85 billion to support families health and mental health needs. Conway Collis, CEO of GRACE, then welcomed us and stated that Pope Francis has said that poverty is a scandal in the world, especially in countries with so many wealthy citizens such as the U.S.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee, MSW, from Alameda County talked about how she grew up on public assistance and relied on it until she graduated from college and made it on her own. She appreciates the "generosity of the American People." She has introduced H.R. 2182 which is a program that would cut in half the numbers of people living in poverty in 10 years.

Marion Wright Edelman, Founder and President of the Children's Defense Fund was the keynote speaker. She said that child poverty will be this country' undoing...it is our enemy inside. She spoke of transforming people who have lived in lifetime that we need to "listen to." These are Gandhi, Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and now Pope Francis...a prophet in our time. She said this our hour to change. The year 2014 is the 50th anniversary of amazing action in this country that led to voter rights, Medicare, Medicaid, civil rights, and the War on Poverty. We have succeeded to moving Seniors out of poverty. We must make sure everyone is living at incomes above the poverty level. The income division between CEO's and line workers is 231 to 1 in some companies. She said we know what works such as the President's proposal for universal preschool and home visiting. However these are risky times as some are trying to take it all away through propose cuts in our fragile safety net for children and families.

Other statements from speakers include:
In L.A., 46% of the workers make less that $20,000 a year.
How can the government make it easier to apply for safety net programs like food stamps?
Research shows that food stamps make a important difference in the quality of life for children.
Immigration reform is the highest priority that will improve the lives of millions of children and families.

Los Angeles new mayor Erich Garcetti spoke and said that childhood poverty is an enormous drag on our economy as it contributes to rotten outcomes for many children. He said we need a program to move more youth from school to good paying jobs. He is asking companies to commit to 10,000 more summer jobs for youth next year. He said that this can be a first step to helping youth build experience in the jobs world.

A panel moderated by Jim Newton, Editor-at-Large, L.A. Times talked a bout specific approaches to reduce child poverty. Congresswoman Karen Bass said that we need a comprehensive wraparound approach to helping children and families. Darrell Steinberg, California State Senate President Pro Tem, said that we need a fundamental transformation of the education system. His goal is to have universal pre-school in California next year. He said we need to change high school to have rigorous and relevant career education programs partnering with industry with internships and apprenticeships beginning for 14 year olds like the German system.

Peter B. Edelman, co-director center on poverty, inequality and public policty in D.C. said that you got to be bothered and angry that wealth is skyrocketing in the pockets of a few and that one fourth of the jobs in America pay below the the poverty level.

Other good ideas offered during the day:
Comprehensive home environment assessment....get the lead paint out of reach of children.
Parent engagement/outreach from schools.
Address the problem that 85% of poor children are unable to read by the 3rd grade though tutors and educating parents.
Play spaced programing and Promised Neighborhoods that take on a comprehensive approach to poverty, education, and safety.
Research that quality preschool is a poverty buster program.
Medical coverage for undocumented children and families.
Flexible use of government funds to what families need such as rent, food, education, and transportation.
Align programs and funding around agreed upon outcomes. Measure and reward programs that succeed in meeting outcome goals.
Invest in businesses that bring healthy and affordable food to poor neighborhoods.
Partnerships with businesses for jobs for former gang members.
Impact Investing where private sector invests in programs that demonstrate measurable desired outcomes.
Pay for Success Grants using evidenced based methods can unlock local capital investment.

Whew! It was an exciting day of dreaming and planning with many good ideas shared. I like the notion that this may be the time for change...the planets are realligning...and it is possible for our country to make important progress in achieving "liberty and justice for all." Hope lives.