Generations United logo - small
 
 

Seniors4Kids E-Alert

Ways to Make A Difference for Children

from Generations United

January 14, 2014
In This Alert
State of the Union Twitter Action
Issue Spotlight
Advocacy Opportunities
 Stay Connected
 

Join National Effort to Keep Early Learning on the President's 2014 Agenda

Do you tweet or know someone who does? Strong Start for Children - Building America's Future, a coalition of the National Women's Law Center, is asking individual organizations to tweet photos of children/adults holding up #StrongStart photos to the hashtags #StrongStart and #SOTU. The coalition will collect these tweets and forward them to President Obama's twitter account throughout the day on Jan. 21, one week before his speech. You can also send tweets directly to the President - @BarackObama - (please make sure to use the hashtags #StrongStart and #SOTU on January 21). Download signs here (for parents), here (for adults) and here (for children). Want another way to get involved? Find out how by joining their campaign

Issue Spotlight
Honorary Co-Chairs Urge Older Adults to Raise their Grand Voices for Children and Families  

Last month, the world mourned Nelson Mandela's passing. In a Huffington Post piece, Drs. Mary Catherine Bateson and Joan Lombardi eulogized the anti-apartheid revolutionary by highlighting one of his many legacies: The Elders, a group of global leaders that Mandela launched to promote improved conditions for all ages. Bateson and Lombardi also used The Elders as a model for how seniors in the U.S. can become good global citizens by making a difference in their communities.

State and Local Advocacy Opportunities   

National 

Show Your Support for Young Children in 2014 Funding Bill 
Last night, congress came closer to delivering a down payment on the President's early learning agenda. The House and Senate agreed on a colossal 2014 funding bill that would support, among other things, increasing the Child Care and Development Block Grant by $154 million and providing $250 million to support grants to states looking to develop, enhance, or expand their prekindergarten programs. We need to help push this funding bill through the House and Senate now. The House will likely vote tomorrow, sending the bill to the Senate. You can show your support for young children by calling and asking your representative in Congress to vote "Yes!" on the 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill. Look up phone numbers for your Members of Congress. Look up phone numbers for your Members of Congress.

   

Nebraska

Grandstanding for Young Nebraskans  

First Lady Sally Ganem will offer welcome remarks followed by presentations from national and local experts in a webinar scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 1, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The virtual discussion will revolve around ways grandparents can use their wealth of wisdom and knowledge to help the up and coming generation of young Nebraskans. Other presenters include Generations United's Jaia Peterson Lent; ZERO TO THREE's Rebecca Parlakian; Diane Rolfsmeyer, of the Nebraska Early Childhood Network; and Crete Schools Superintendent Kyle McGowen. RSVP by emailing Diane Rolfsmeyer or calling her at 402-435-7211. On Feb 1., connect to the webinar here. Prior to the webinar, please make sure your computer connects to the "UNL Extension Interview Room" (test now). If you have problems, contact Betty Castan. Learn more 

 

 

Colorado  

Colorado Wins Big for Children

In recognition of getting more children health insurance coverage last year, Colorado will receive a bonus payment of $58.5 million. The largest amount awarded to any state under the enrollment incentive program authorized by the 2009 federal CHIP reauthorization legislation, the hefty gift is one of many for Colorado. Since 2010, the state has received more than $155 million in performance bonuses. This is attributed to the state's common sense changes including streamlining applications and using information from other public benefits to determine eligibility for Medicaid and CHP+. Read more. For information and resources about ensuring more children in Colorado have the health care they deserve, click here.  

  

Kentucky

Strong Start Kentucky at the Capitol

In conjunction with Children's Day at the Capitol, Strong Start Kentucky is meeting this Thursday for lunch at the Capitol Education Center. The meeting will also be an opportunity for members to make their case for quality early education to legislators (be sure to make appointments to visit with legislators -- read helpful details). The two-hour lunch will start at 11:30 a.m. If you haven't already, register for Children's Day and download the Blueprint for Kentucky Kids for a summary of issues to be addressed (specifics can be found in the 2014 Blueprint). RSVP by emailing Suzetta or call her at 859-233-9849 ext. 0.Learn more about Strong Start Kentucky   

Your Feedback Invited!

We want our Seniors4Kids Alert to be a real resource to you. Have an advocacy opportunity in your state that you would like to share? My email is aking@gu.org. I'd love to hear from you!

 

Best,

Alan King 

Communications Specialist

Generations United  

 

 

 
 
Free Subscription to GRAND!
All supporters of Seniors4Kids receive a free subscription to GRAND, the online magazine by grandparents, for grandparents. Visit here to read the latest copy and get valuable offers, inspirational stories and more. 

Contact Us

 Generations United's Seniors4Kids
Attention: Jaia Peterson Lent (jlent@gu.org)
1331 H St. NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 2005-4739

Generations United Logo