Every Child Healthy, Safe And Prepared For Life's Challenges

Advocacy Alerts

Advocacy Alerts are opportunities for the many members of the WCA family to make a difference.  They are sent by e-mail on an as-needed basis to let you know where and when your action is most needed on a particular issue in children's services. Join the WCA mailing list to receive our Advocacy Alerts.



Show Up & Show your Support for Kids in the 2012 Budget
Posted 11/18, 11/30, 12/6, 12/19, 12/23
You support a healthy Westchester, where children and families have the supports and resources they need to thrive.  Show your elected officials, by attending one or more budget hearings as well as joining our new e-mail Campaign.  You've VOTED for KIDS... Now our elected officials need to do the same!  

Dec 23rd Alert | Dec 19th Alert | Dec 6th Alert | Nov 30th Alert | Nov 18th Alert


Sign Up and VOTE for KIDS on Election Day
Posted 8/10, 8/18/, 9/15, 10/24, 11/8
Kids can't vote... you can! This November, all of the County Legislators are all up for election. These leaders make important decisions that affect children, youth and families in all our communities. The Vote for Kids Campaign is a partnership of individuals and organizations working to put young people at the top of the public agenda in the 2011 County elections... and we want you to join us!

Nov 8th Alert | Oct 24th Alert | Sept 15th Alert | Aug 18th Alert | Aug 10th Alert


President and House Could Have US Caught in a Twister
Posted 7/8/11
The president and congressional leaders are in special meetings this week working out a budget deal. On the negotiating table? Medicaid - A program that helps millions of children and low-income families receive health care and creates millions of jobs.  In Westchester, one in four children (25%) under the age of 18 relies on Medicaid or other public insurance for their health care.  Tell the president and congressional leadership to take Medicaid off the negotiating table: Cuts hurt our nation's health and economy.

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Tell Federal Policymakers: Stop the Downward Spiral
Posted 7/1/11

The White House has entered budget negotiations with congressional leaders, and Medicaid is at risk. This service not only provides coverage for low income children and families, but is vital to our economy. Cutting Medicaid programs is the wrong thing to do. Cuts to health care will cause millions to lose coverage, making health costs rise nationwide. Cuts to these essential programs will also cost hundreds of thousands of jobs - harmful to families and to our government debt alike.

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Proposed Health Care Cuts for Millions of Kids:
15-18 Million Children Could Lose Out
Posted 5/31/11
Last week, the Senate voted "no" on the House proposed budget, which would cut Medicaid by $750 billion over the next decade - gutting the program which provides health care for about one-third of our nation's children, including one-quarter of Westchester youngsters age 18 years and younger. While it's a promising development, our fight to hold children harmless in the federal budget process is far from over. The House plan remains the proposal on the table - the starting point for all future budget negotiations.
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Tell Elected Officials to Keep Programs that Work
Posted 4/13/11
At the County level, the Astorino administration has failed to spend the full funding for child care and youth development programs included in the legally adopted 2011 County budget.  At the Federal level, the FY2011 budget agreement will contain $38.5 billion in cuts, much of it to come from services to children and families, and the stakes for the FY2012 budget are just as high. Let Westchester and US elected officials know that government needs to make decisions that nurture children.
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Put Children First Nationally
Posted 4/7/11
Join Westchester Children's Association and child advocates across the country as we urge Congress to protect vital services for children and families. Tell your representatives that you reject cuts to our children's futures. 
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Tell Legislators to Protect Children & Families in NYS Budget
Posted 3/15/11
Join WCA and Campaign for Kids as we urge state officials to protect vital services for children and families. Contact your state officials today and ask them to protect and sustain critical programs.

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Health Care Reform is Being Revisited on Capitol Hill
Posted 2/25/11

No federal budget has been passed for this fiscal year. The temporary fix, a continuing resolution, expires this coming Friday, March 4th.  The House bill cuts more than $60 billion in federal funding for the remaining months of the year, including painful cuts to critical programs and services for children and families.

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Health Care Reform is Being Revisited on Capitol Hill
Posted 1/19/11
The new Congress will soon consider repealing health insurance reform. While most of the legislators representing Westchester support this critical piece of legislation as it currently stands, we need your help to remind them and their colleagues of its effects on children and families.

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Have Your Voice Heard in the 2011 County Budget!
Posted 11/9, 11/17, 11/19, 11/23, 12/1, 12/9, 12/15, 12/21, 12/23/10
In November and December 2010, WCA, its partners, and its constituents worked to make sure the needs of Westchester's children, youth, and families were considered as the County Executive and Board of Legislators hammered out the 2011 budget.  Thanks to our combined advocacy efforts, almost all of the priority items for children and youth were restored to the budget!

Nov 9th Alert | Nov 17th Alert | Nov 19th Alert | Nov 23rd Alert
Dec 1st Alert | Dec 9th Alert | Dec 15th Alert | Dec 21st Alert | Dec 23rd Alert


Got Kids? Vote!
Posted 10/28/10 and 11/1/10
Vote on election day to put kids first.  Speak out at the County public hearings on the budget 11/17/10, 11/23/10, and 12/9/10. Your participation in the democratic process is vital to make sure that the issues of children and youth is at the top of the public agenda.

October 28th Alert | November 1st Alert


Step Up for Westchester's Kids
Posted 9/28/10
Thousands of Westchester's children and youth depend on our County's help for early childhood education, healthcare, job training, and other services.  These investments have a big payoff for youngsters themselves and for our entire community... And yet these programs are in jeopardy.  What can you do to help? 

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Save State Child Services
Posted 8/2/10
Before they (and you!) go on vacation, make the call to save child services at the state level by urging your state senators to support FMAP, the federally funded bump in funding for vital child care services like Medicaid and education - preventing cuts to these services when families are depending on them the most. 

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Public Hearing in White Plains
Posted 7/28/10
Show your support for child care funding restoration by attending the Public Hearing for Child Care on Thursday, July 29th from 6 to 9 PM at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.  UPDATE: Hundreds attended! View our photos below.

Read More | View Photos from the Public Hearing


Protect Investments in Kids
Posted 7/15/10
Show your support for child care funding restoration by participating in upcoming rallies for Child Care (sponsored by members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators), attending the July 29th public hearing for Child Care, and signing, posting, and circulating the petition to Stop Child Care Budget Cuts. 

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Make the Call to Save Services to Children
Posted 6/10/10
Call state representatives to save Healthy Families New York and the NYS William B. Hoyt Memorial Children and Family Trust. Call US senators and urge them to support FMAP and HR 4213.

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Protect Benefits for Children and Families
Posted 5/25/10
Families experiencing a job loss know about financial struggles. HR 4213 (aka the "jobs bill"), which we expect to be on the House floor as early as today, will help stabilize these families in this time of economic uncertainty.

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Westchester County Rally 4 Kids
Posted 4/28/10, 5/4/10, and 5/7

Child- and youth-focused organizations, including WCA, rallied to support children and youth services in Westchester County on May 6th at this event sponsored by Action 4 Kids, a campaign to protect our future by promoting public investments in children and youth. We sent a loud and clear message to elected officials and the public that public expenditures for children and youth are vital and cost effective investments in our collective future.

April 28th Alert | May 4th Alert | May 7th Alert | Blog | Photos | Article


Show Up and Be Counted
Posted 4/22/10

There are key opportunities coming up for us to show up and be counted in support of children's issues. 4/22: County Executive Robert Astorino will deliver his first State of the County Address. 4/26: County Board of Legislators meeting. 5/6: Children's Rally.  We hope to see you there!

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Round 1 of a Tough Budget Season
Posted 4/8/10

Everyone feels the impact of hard economic times: Families, communities and schools are all tightening their belts.  The County, State and Federal government have huge budget challenges to manage... But budgets small and large should not be balanced on the backs of children. Parents packed the April 5th Board of Legislators meeting (View meeting video).

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Budget Updates: County, State & Federal News
Posted 3/24/10
County, State, and Federal budgets are impacting children and youth.  Thank them for the efforts they have made and request that children remain at the top of the public agenda.

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Our Children Need Support from all Levels of Government
Posted 3/10/10

In times of challenge and uncertainty, such as we are facing now, children need leaders who are willing to make them a priority. Investments today in the well being of children and youth result in long term savings because they prevent future problems at a fraction of the cost of later treating problems. Invest in our future TODAY by contacting your county, state, and federal legislators!

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Happy New Year from WCA
Posted 12/31/09

Thank You for Your Advocacy Efforts and Ring in the New Year With Renewed Support. Contact your federal representatives to let them know that any final health reform bill must (1) ensure that the gains made through CHIP be maintained until comparable health coverage is available through the health exchanges and (2) include both a Medicaid option and a home visitation program.

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Remember Children in Federal Health Reform
Posted 12/9/09

The US Senate is currently negotiating their version of the Health Reform Bill.  Please contact New York's Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and urge them to support Senator Robert Casey's CHIP amendment, which protects children in health reform. Unsure of what to say? Use this easy form from our national partner, Voices for America's Children.

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2010 Westchester County Budget Petition Reminder
Posted 11/23/09

 Looking for a way to "give back" this Thanksgiving?  Sign and forward the petition to protect investments for children in the County budget - either online or on paper.  Over 300 signatures have been collected so far.  Help us reach our goal of 600 in time for the next public hearing.

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Protect Investments for Children in the 2010 County Budget
Posted 11/6/09

 Join WCA in urging the Westchester County Board of Legislators to protect investments for children in the 2010 County Budget.  Invite your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues to take action with you, and make your voices heard! 

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Get it Done Right! Protect Gains in Children's Coverage
Posted 10/14/09

 The Senate Finance Committee passed a health care bill on 10/13.  This version will now be reconciled with the HELP Committee version to create a single bill for review on the Senate floor, and then for consolidation with the final House bill. Click here to contact your federal senators and representatives and tell them to make sure health reform gives our children affordable, comprehensive, and accessible health care. 

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How You Can Help With Health Care Reform
Posted 8/13/09

Kids and families in Westchester, and throughout the country, cannot wait for health care reform. The costs of this necessity are skyrocketing, bankrupting families, forcing employers to cut or drop coverage, and putting tremendous pressure on local, state, and federal budgets. The rising cost of care leaves 47 million Americans uninsured, including more than nine million children. 

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Health Reform is  STILL at a Critical Point on Capitol Hill
Posted 7/22/09

THERE IS STILL TIME!   The House Energy and Commerce Committee is continuing discussion on the health care bill and mark-ups will resume Thursday and perhaps continue into Friday. So there is still time to have your voice heard.

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Health Reform is at a Critical Point on Capitol Hill
Posted 7/21/09

FIRST DO NO HARM!   As you read this e-mail, the House is editing final Health Reform legislation that does not offer affordable, accessible, continuous and comprehensive health coverage for children. 

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Support Federal Action for Child Health & Well-Being

Posted 7/7/09

Now that Congress is back at work following the July 4th recess, members will be considering important legislation affecting children. We urge you to support policies that nurture children's healthy development.

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