You have to know that 360 of the 500 PA public school districts are still underfunded by $3.3 billion dollars because it helps to explain why too few students thrive academically. Knowing that early learning teachers are paid a paltry average of $15.15/hour explains why it’s hard to attract and retain child care and pre-k workers. And even though PA ranks second in the nation for the total number of children with lead poisoning, only 21% of children are tested. Knowing this makes the case for more testing so kids can get early intervention.
SHOW UP DURING A SLUMP
For children who’ve made poor choices, it’s best not to cut them from their team but to get them extra coaching so they can reach their full potential. This is especially true for children who are caught up in the juvenile justice system.
In PA, 94% of kids charged with crimes are low to moderate risk of getting into trouble again. These children are best served by diversion programs instead of jail or probation because diversion creates opportunities for children to learn from their mistakes and make amends with whomever they harm. Approximately 80% of Pennsylvania kids in diversion programs complete them, and they are 17% less likely to be rearrested within five years. This is what winning looks like for kids in a slump.
FEEL THE OUTRAGE
You know that sound a stadium makes when a ref blows an obvious call? Seventy thousand people on their feet – furious. That’s the outrage that fans of kids must demonstrate when lawmakers make the wrong call.
For example, because of decisions made in Washington, DC, roughly 54,000 PA children lost their Medicaid coverage so far this year. It wasn’t because they didn’t need it anymore or because they stopped being eligible; their renewals got buried in paperwork and red tape. This type of bad call costs more than a game…it costs a kid not having her emergency inhaler or a teen abruptly stopping treatment for ADHD or mental health. Not good calls.
HOLD LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABLE
Any sports fan knows the substantial influence of team owners, GMs, and coaches because they control the money and call the plays. For Pennsylvanians who support kids, that means calling out elected officials who withhold winning strategies from children and families. It’s the leaders – not the kids – who deserve the boos when it’s the policies and budgets that create a losing strategy for kids.
GET IN THE GAME
Be a season ticket-holder when it comes to fighting for kids: vote, attend town halls and school board meetings, email and/or meet with you state and federal lawmakers, volunteer at afterschool programs or weekend games, and recruit your friends and family to also get in the game. Later this month, Children First is going to be in Washington, DC and in Harrisburg so you don’t have to wait long to show your support.
Children First can help you find other ways to get in the game and help give kids a fair shot at winning. Because in the game of life, losing is not an option.
