Click here for power points presented at the conference.

On May 9, 200 advocates, elected officials, and children's service providers from all over the state gathered at San Francisco State University to share what we have all learned about developing local Children's Funds.  

GAVIN NEWSOM: The highlight was an inspirational speech by Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom.  He held the audience in the palm of his hand for over an hour.  Some of his many ins ights:

* The San Francisco Children's Fund is a bottom-up story.   Where the state walked away, San Francisco walked in and created the Children's Fund.  We had the resources and flexibility to do everything from fund salad bars in schools to early care. Most solutions to problems come from the local level.

* Great progress comes from leaders in all aspects of life.  Politician merely create the conditions where success becomes irresistible. 

* The "achievement gap" is really a "life gap."   The state needs a comprehensive strategic plan and more aggressive leadership for supporting children.  I want to create the most comprehensive plan ever presented in the state.   California is way behind other states when it comes to caring for children.  I am working with businesses in the state to understand the scope of the problem and support solutions.

* Preschool is important but a 3 hour program is not enough.  We need prenatal to college. And poor quality can do more harm than good.

* We need a constitutional amendment to increase the voter threshold on revenue to support human services.

* Last year we had more preschoolers shot and killed than officers in the line of duty.  We need to treat ammunition the way we treat firearms - we need regulations.

* Successful people are committed; interested people find excuses.  Committed people find ways to get things done.

LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS

 

Five local elected officials shared their advice and rationale for supporting Children's Funds.   Dr. Tony Iton, Vice President of The California Endowment and panel facilitator, opened by pointing to the important role of women elected officials in supporting education and needs of children and youth.

Marin Supervisor Steve Kinsey emphaised the need to be prepared for the long haul.  He said those outside government need to be the inspiration, while insiders are the drivers.  "Also, find some "angels" for the cause who can help open doors."

Jay Schenirer, City Council member of Sacramento, is leading the Children and Youth Fund campaign there by proposing a tax on marijuana sales.  He has been surprised by the strong opposition from the City Manager, business and community groups, including pastors, the labor council, the Chamber of Commerce, non-profits, charter schools, the police and fire unions and even fellow Council members.  He says, "We must redefine public safety" and start electing people who walk into office with the right thinking on investing in youth and education instead of only the number of police on the streets.

Tony Iton, MD, Vice President, The California Endowment,  Sonoma Supervisor Shirlee Zane, Solano Supervisor Linda Seifert, Marin Supervisor Steve Kinsey, Sacramento City Councilman Jay Schenirer,  San Joaquin Supervisor Kathy Miller Solano Supervisor Kathy Miller, first female supervisor in 30 years, has polled on the proposal that funds for children would be set-aside only from the her county's increases in dollars over the next 10 years.  She said the only thing that polled higher than that was potholes.  Miller talked about the importance of framing, saying they had to turn their Children's Bill of Rights into a Resolution of Commitment to satisfy one conservative Board member who didn't want the Bill of Rights to imply entitlement. Sonoma Supervisor Shirlee Zane emphasized the importance of the theme of "upstream investments," a good PR campaign, and "paking the chambers."   Solano Supervisor Linda Seifert recommended developing a good business case and enlisting support of the cities in the county.  "You have to compete with streets and infrastructure."

CALIFORNIA POLLING ON CHILDREN'S FUNDS

Dave Metz, primo pollster and strategist on California Children's Funds

Dave Metz of FM3 Research presented riveting data from a dozen polls conducted in California and nationwide on funding children's services.  Highlights included:
 

* Support for children, particularly keeping children in school, is consistently high, while concern about taxes is relatively low.

* 62% of voters nationally recognize that the ages before five are the most important time for child development and have long term benefits.

* Some tax mechanisms fare better than others.  Setting aside a small portion of existing annual County budgets rates the highest.

* One of the major concerns of voters is a distrust of government accountability.  Ways to counter that include independent financial audits, citizen oversight boards, community engagement in decision-making, and annual standards for care.

* The most trusted messengers on children's issues are parents, teachers and community-based organizations.

* The most important variable in the success of a ballot measure are the 75 words in the ballot question - that's all most voters will know!

 Polling from Napa is typical for California.

Yes, No and Swing Voters

If you want to learn more about Funding the Next Generation and explore your community's potential for a dedicated public funding stream for children, youth and families, contact:

Founder and Director,  Funding the Next Generation      

margaret@ fundingthenextgeneration.org

phone: 415-794-4963 

www.fundingthenextgeneration.org