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LESSONS LEARNED
Presentation to Cities CountiesSchools Partnership
Margaret Brodkin and Jill Wynns developed 10 lessons on creating a dedicated revenue stream for children, youth and families for a presentation to elected officials at the Executive Committee of the Cities Counties Schools Partnership. After the presentation several officials in attendance stated their desire to work on measures for their local communities.
1. California faces a once-a-generation opportunity - with the convergence of unprecendented needs of children and a new level of awareness and allies and a recovering economy.
2. The local level offers the greatest potential for revenue measures.
3. Polls show that kids are a powerful political issue.
4. Creating a strong foundation of information is an essential first step.
5. Educating the public and policy-makers about the wisdom of investing in kids pays off.
6. A coalition with everyone at the table results in widespread support.
7. Successful measures often contain a "sweetener" for the public - something universally popular.
8. Cities, counties and school districts can collaborate to get needed resources.
9. The potential for resources creates a forum for negotiations that benefit children. Funding measures can leverage policy change.
10. Public opinion evolves - momentum changes the civic and political culture - or THE MORE YOU GET THE MORE YOU CAN GET.
WHAT'S NEW IN SAN FRANCISCO?
San Francisco created the first dedicated funding stream in California - maybe the nation - for kids. It has been the model and inspiration for emerging efforts. The SF Children's Fund is about to be re-authorized by the voters. A Children's Fund Community Coalition has been meeting for a year and a half, and has developed proposals for improving the legislation - demonstrating that making public policy is an evolving process. Some recommended improvements are:
Increase the Fund by 67%, or approximately $33 M in current dollars.
Include Transitional Age Youth up to age 24, and change the name of the Fund to the Children and Youth Fund.
Create an oversight Commission for the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families to increase accountability and public participation in decision-making.
Require a Service Coordination plan to be developed by Mayor.
Expand the funding cycle to 5 years to provide ample time for programs to be implemented and reach their goals.
Require more transparency and public input into the planning for the use of the Fund.
Require involvement of all city departments in a Community Needs Assessment and the Services, Coordination and Allocation plan.
Create a Service Provider Advisory Committee to facilitate collaboration between those inside and outside government.
Require system-level and program-level evaluation and capacity building for providers.
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