Everychild Addresses the Issues Facing Our Children

Members of Everychild Foundation are invited to evening salons in members' homes with speakers on issues facing children in our communities. The purpose is for our members, who may attend with their spouse or a guest, to become more knowledgeable in their role as grant-makers.

Mayor Villaraigosa's Vision for Los Angeles' Schools

Martha and Ronald Doornick opened their beautiful Manhattan Beach home to host the thirteenth Everychild salon on January 21, 2009. The topic of the salon was "Our Chance to Advance Educational Opportunities for all of Los Angeles' Children". Marshall Tuck, CEO of the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools and Advisor to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa spoke.

Everychild member, Melanie Lundquist, Board Member and Senior Advisor for Fundraising at The Partnership, began the evening by recounting that she and her husband both received good educations through the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and as a result had good lives. Watching the decline in the quality of education in the District has, therefore, been distressing for them.

However, when Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa began his campaign promise to improve LAUSD, ultimately resulting in the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools in late 2007, the Lundquists enthusiastically jumped aboard with a major gift and have become its strongest supporters.

The Partnership is charged to work with the myriad of educational agencies, unions and interest groups to develop and implement reforms, based on research, which will dramatically improve the 800 LAUSD schools and 725,000 students.

"The Partnership's focus is to implement strategies proven to be effective in public schools throughout the country:

·
• High Expectations for all Students ·
• Safe, Small, and Clean Schools ·
• Empowered Schools with Strong Leadership ·
• Real Accountability ·
• Rigorous Curriculum and Powerful Teaching ·
• Authentic Parent and Community Involvement ·
• Deconstructing the Bureaucracy and Getting More Money to Schools"*

Currently in its first year of operation, the Partnership is working with 18,000 students and 1,500 employees at low-performing schools throughout the district.

"There are good people who care about kids who go to work every day. They're under-supported, maybe [even] under-educated but they're there doing it.... There are great kids at these schools too," said Mr. Tuck as he outlined the problem caused by the current, hierarchical structure of decision-making within LAUSD. He explained that the District spends too much money on administration verses promoting the one crucial element of a great education; teacher-student interaction. Unfortunately, there has been very little outcry about the situation because many families with the most resources often opt out of public education, leaving behind those with less political clout. The Partnership aims to improve this situation by implementing many of the reforms used in charter schools for all schools.

Our economy is now a knowledge-based and students must attend college if they are to succeed. Because our country's manufacturing base has shrunk, thus reducing the need for skilled labor substantially, it is imperative that we teach all of our students critical thinking and other such skills for them to succeed. With trained, dedicated enthusiasts like Mr. Tuck, the Lundquists and the Partnership Los Angeles, and those who teach our children may finally have the needed political and financial will to actually improve the education of every child in our environs.

*Educational model text copied from the Partnership website:
http://www.partnershipla.org//about?id=0001

Advances in Research and Treatment in Autism

Two outstanding women who are dedicated to helping children with autism and their families spoke at the Everchild Foundation salon, "Advances in the Research and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders", on September 25th at the home of Everychild member and Salon Committee Chair, Amy Childress and her husband James.

Dr. Michele Kipke

Michele Kipke, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine, Associate Director of the Saban Research Institute, and Director of Community, Health Outcomes, and Intervention Research (CHOIR) at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She was joined by Pat Grayson-DeJong, the mother of a son who is challenged with autism and an advocate for parents fighting for better programs in public school districts. She recently retired from the Los Angeles Unified School District where she was an autism specialist and administrator of autism programs. Dr. Kipke explained that Autism Spectrum Disorder is a very complex condition involving irregularities in the brain’s wiring circuitry. It is a spectrum disorder, meaning that disability can range from mild to very severe.

Some of the characteristics of autism include problems with the use language to communicate, sleep disorders, seizure disorders, food sensitivity, allergies, lack of fine motor skills, and difficulty with social interactions.

Because of the number of characteristics and the variability of these characteristics in terms of severity, determining the exact cause of the disorder, identifying treatments and finding a cure are all extremely challenging.

Experts agree that autism is on the rise and it is unclear why. Dr. Kipke cited a recent California study that found a 633% increase in autism diagnoses between 1987 and 2002. A portion of this increase can be explained by better use of diagnostic tools, but experts say that this alone is not the entire reason.

Dr. Kipke said that the cause of autism is still a puzzle to researchers in the field. It appears to be a "perfect storm" involving a number of factors. Certain genetic factors may be involved, the environment, or even exposure to a virus during pregnancy. Researchers are working on every angle in search of a solution to the puzzle.

The current focus for treatment of is early intervention. Because most of the brain’s development occurs between the ages of 3 and 5 years, the brain’s wiring can actually be corrected if problems are identified early. However, the big challenge is to find what treatment works for which patient and to help families gain access to the treatments and services they need.

Pat Grayson-DeJong showed the group a video produced by Autism Speaks and the New York Center for Autism. It gave a grim and heart-breaking view of the difficulties of raising a child with severe autism. Ms. Grayson-DeJong faced these difficulties herself when her son was diagnosed with autism more than 40 years ago. At that time, only speech therapy was available to children with autism. Schools were not equipped to handle children with special needs, and she was advised at one point to institutionalize her son. She refused and became a life-long advocate for both her son and other children with autism. Today, children with autism have many more services available to them, including accommodations and special classes in public schools.

Pat Grayson-DeJong

However, there are still a tremendous number of needs that remain unmet. Families with autistic children face emotional and financial difficulties that can be extremely stressful. Ms. Grayson-DeJong cited the 80% divorce rate among couples with severely autistic children as one sad reminder of the toll this strain can take. Additionally, another heartbreaking fact is that there are very few support services for children on the autistic spectrum as they enter adolescence. The Everychild members present at the salon agreed that this might be an interesting area for our foundation to explore for a possible future grant.

Asthma Expert Discusses Causes; Ways to Alleviate Suffering of Children

Terry Hamemesh, Dr. Rachelesfsky, Jacqueline Caster, Amy Sommer at Salon on Asthma

Dr. Gary Rachelefsky, a recognized expert on asthma, spoke at the May 22, 2008 Everychild Foundation Salon on asthma. The event was held at the home of ECF member Terry Hamermesh and her family. Dr. Rachelesfsky is the Director, Executive Center for Allergy, Asthma, and Respiratory Disease and Professor, Allergy and Immunology UCLA Geffen School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA, To illustrate the devastation wrought by childhood asthma, Dr. Rachelefsky

pointed to statistics that show that 8 million children suffer from asthma in the US today, and nearly one third of these are likely to be misdiagnosed and therefore not treated properly. There are approximately 250,000 hospitalizations due to asthma annually, putting a costly strain on the health care system. In addition, it is estimated that 14 million school days and 14 million workdays are missed annually due to asthma, taking a toll on both the economy and families.

Asthma is more prevalent in urban versus suburban areas, and obese adolescents constitute the largest percentage of asthmatics. Many factors contribute to the prevalence of asthma in poorer urban areas, such as proximity to pollutants from factories and freeways. However, Dr. Rachelesfsky stated that indoor pollution is the primary culprit. For example, cockroaches and dust mites are irritants causing those living in infested homes and who are disposed to asthma to have frequent attacks. Additionally, the presence of cigarette smoke in many homes is another dangerous irritant. Because children in lower-income neighborhoods often spend a great deal of time inside due to the lack of safe playgrounds and unsafe streets, their exposure to such pollutants is often magnified.

To combat these causes of asthma, Dr. Rachelefsky suggests regular insect extermination, plus the use of special mattress and pillow covers and outreach programs to curb smoking. There is also hope that, by working with the community to equip local clinics with pulmonary function machines, those with the disease will receive better care.

The National Asthma Campaign (www.nationalasthmacampaign.org) is Dr. Rachelefsky’s latest effort to address the asthma issue on a broad scale. The campaign aims to improve the lives of those who suffer from asthma throughout the United States via education and outreach programs. By working with various health care providers - community clinics, school nurses, etc - the campaign hopes to create a partnership between medical professionals, patients and families to reduce the rate of asthma. `

The Importance of Investing Public Resources in Children Early in Their Development

The subject of the 11th Everychild salon was the importance of investing public resources in children early in their development. Everychild member Penny Meepos and her family graciously hosted the event at their lovely Pacific Palisades home on November 15, 2007.

Mr. Atlas spoke of how the foundation arrived at its focus. He also described how the decision to devote resources to a narrow area of need has paid off handsomely. In addition, he gave several examples of how his business skills have aided his philanthropic ventures.

Cindy Oser, a pediatric nurse and head of Zero To Three’s Western Regional office then spoke to the group. Zero to Three’s mission is to support the healthy development and well-being of infants, toddlers and their families. Zero to Three advances its mission by informing, educating and supporting adults who influence the lives of infants and toddlers.

Ms. Oser spoke about the hopes and horrors of our smallest citizens. She cited studies and statistics which are both inspiring - the potential for early, enriching activities to allow children to reach their full intellectual and emotional potential - and terrifying; the lack of positive interactions in this early, critical period can set up a child for failure for the rest of his or her life. One of the major goals of Zero To Three’s work is to apply brain development research to practical programs to break the cycle of despair and lost opportunity which continues to plague generations of children. She also mentioned a Federal Reserve study on how proper intervention in the lives of toddlers can benefit society as a whole. The study results showed that adults who had attended pre-school, controlling for all other factors, led healthier, more productive lives and had higher earnings.

Oser also gave several startling examples of the various small developmental "windows" that exist for children. She explained that if action is taken during these windows, it can provide a very high return on investment. For example, children born with congenital cataracts must have them extracted by a certain age. It not, the brain becomes hard-wired as it develops and, even if the cataract is successfully removed, the brain will be incapable of processing the newly found sight sent by the eye. Oser explained that approximately eighty-five percent of the physical architecture of the brain is completed by age three.

The evening reinforced the importance of Everychild’s work to advocate for those who have no voice, and thus, improve the lives of children - and the society in which they will become adults in Los Angeles and throughout the country.

Sherry Lansing Discusses the Role of Women in Philanthropy Today and Her Own New Career as a Philanthropist

Sherry Lansing’s first career was as a schoolteacher, and she has never lost her passion for teaching or her capacity to inspire. In February, 2006, over 75 Everychild members and their guests experienced this capacity first-hand at the home of Cheryl Saban, when the pioneering film industry executive (and Everychild Foundation member) spoke with Cheryl Saban about the role of women in philanthropy today and her own "third chapter" career as a philanthropist.

From 1992 to 2005, Sherry Lansing was chair of the Motion Picture Group at Paramount Pictures, where she was the first woman in the film industry to oversee all aspects of a studio’s motion picture production. Lansing says she always planned to "stop working and start giving back" when she turned 60. In 2005, she left Paramount and founded the Sherry Lansing Foundation, a philanthropic organization focusing on cancer research, health and education.

Lansing suggests that the reason people get involved in a cause is usually something personal - "it starts in your heart." In her case, the early death of her mother due to ovarian cancer was her impetus to get involved in cancer research. Seeing stem cell research as the most important work being done in the field of cancer research today, she is now committing her formidable energy to ensure the implementation of Proposition 71, which provides for $3 billion in funding for embryonic stem cell research. In 2004, Lansing was appointed to the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (established by Prop 71), where she is the patient advocate for Cancer and chair of the Governance Committee. She sees the successful passage of Proposition 71 -- which began as a grass-roots citizens’ movement -- as an example of "the democratization of philanthropy," whereby a motivated group of individuals are affecting public policy.

In discussing the role of women in philanthropy today, Lansing noted that it’s relatively new for women to have their own money to give away. Today, with their growing economic capacity and increasing longevity, women can accomplish much more in the non-profit arena, as Lansing is currently doing. She further suggests that women can make a difference by setting an example for their children, introducing them to the rewards of giving and preparing them to make good philanthropic decisions on their own. Lansing is also quick to point out that "you don’t need to have a lot of money to do a lot of good." As more and more women develop professional skills, they are also contributing their considerable expertise in the non-profit realm. Lansing believes that the strengths that were key to her success in the corporate world are the same tools she is now using to make an impact in the non-profit world: a talent for collaboration, a capacity for getting the best out of people, not being afraid to hold a strong point of view, and especially, not giving up.

Marlene Canter Discusses the Childhood Obesity and Diabetes Crisis

In the past two decades, obesity rates have doubled for children and tripled for adolescents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that if current trends continue, one-third of all American children born in 2000 will develop diabetes. LAUSD School Board member (and current Board President) Marlene Canter has been a leader in Los Angeles in developing solutions to prevent obesity risk factors that begin in childhood. On May 25, 2005, Ms. Canter met with Everychild members, spouses and guests at the home of Karin and Jonathan Fielding to discuss the current crisis in obesity and diabetes and explore interventions to prevent this rising epidemic in Los Angeles children.

The statistics are grim: 61% of American adults and 15% of children are overweight or obese. Obesity-related health costs in the United States top $100 billion annually, and the current generation of children is the first in our nation’s history to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. In Los Angeles, Canter found that many sources of growing obesity could be traced to our schools. With LAUSD schools struggling to meet requirements for literacy and math in classes containing up to 70 students, there was less and less time or money for physical education. Students were surrounded by sodas and junk foods in school vending machines and fast food outlets in their neighborhoods.

Realizing that children who drink sodas are more likely to become obese - and that LAUSD was spending literally millions on sodas on its campuses - Canter began by introducing a motion to ban sodas on LAUSD campuses, which was unanimously passed by the School Board in August, 2002. Subsequently, a second motion banning junk food was also passed; both went into effect in 2004 - the first such district-wide school ban in the nation.

Canter is now focusing her efforts on providing healthier food alternatives for students both on and off campus, starting with school cafeteria food. Canter believes that major food vendors should be held responsible for changing kids’ perceptions about the foods they eat, for offering them healthy alternatives, and for encouraging healthy eating choices through differential pricing. Canter has also proposed setting up farmers markets on high school campuses, starting with one in each of the 8 districts, in order to provide students and their families with the access to fresh fruits and vegetables that is often sorely lacking in low-income neighborhoods.

The rise in obesity and diabetes is "a preventable epidemic, and it’s growing," says Canter. To respond effectively to this health crisis, she suggests, we need awareness, alternatives, and reinforcement. If we can create schools that enhance neighborhoods and build community, our schools can stop being part of the problem and become part of the solution to the obesity and diabetes crisis.

Engaging Inner-City Students in Education: A Salon with Paul Cummins

The name Paul Cummins comes up often in conversations about educational programs for disadvantaged children in Los Angeles. An innovator in the field of education for over 30 years, Paul Cummins has focused on creating educational opportunities for all children, regardless of learning style, ethnicity, or economics. Cummins has founded two private schools (Crossroads and New Roads), joint ventured in creating four charter school campuses, developed an arts program for low-income schools (PSArts), and written extensively on the state of education in this country. He is currently Executive Director of the New Visions Foundation, where he is working on building an integrated, interactive, inclusive educational village in Santa Monica.

In November, Dr. Cummins joined a group of Everychild members and guests at the home of Cynthia and Neil Alexander to explore the question of how to engage inner-city students in their own education and lower the massive drop-out rate - as high as 50% in some inner-city schools. Dr. Cummins spoke of "the two Americas" -- one rich, the other poor -- and shared these statistics: In many elementary schools, there is one counselor for 1000 students. At Manual Arts High School, out of 1800 entering freshmen, 900 leave before graduating, and only 30 graduates go on to college.

Dr. Cummins suggests that it is vital to engage all students in their own education by involving them in subject matter and activities they find meaningful. Declaring that "engagement and meaning are the twin pillars of a successful education," he claims that students are not bored or disinterested when their teachers address topics that relate to the world they live in, such as juvenile delinquency, homelessness, or the environment. Further, Dr. Cummins discounts the importance of testing, stating that "an absorbed student will become self-accountable by virtue of involvement with the subject at hand, which no amount of testing can dictate." Students are engaged when they are encouraged to ask real questions and search for real answers; they are empowered by discovering what they can do to make their world better.

Essential to Cummins’ educational vision are teachers with a passion for their subject matter and an ability to relate to their students - and teacher salaries consistent with the importance of their role in society. Like many societal ills, educational problems often become funding problems. At a time when budget deficits are causing statewide funding cuts for education, Cummins believes we can’t leave our children’s future in the hands of government; private foundations like Everychild must get involved. The challenges we face in repairing our educational system are daunting, but the human price we pay for leaving it broken is incalculable.

Critical Choices for Helping Low-Income Children in L.A. / Dr. Jonathan Fielding

On the evening of June 3, 2004, Everychild members, spouses and guests met at the Brentwood home of Liz and Greg Craig to explore critical issues affecting the lives of many low-income children in Los Angeles today. Speaking with the group was Dr. Jonathan Fielding, who as Director of Public Health for Los Angeles County, is responsible for all public health functions including disease prevention, health protection and health promotion for the county's over 10 million residents. As former Chairman of the California Endowment and a current member of the city's First 5 LA Commission (responsible for allocating tobacco tax dollars to improve health, development and school readiness of children aged 0-5 in Los Angeles), Dr. Fielding had valuable expertise to share with Everychild members regarding both key opportunities for improving the lives of local children and critical factors to consider in making funding choices.

Dr. Fielding illuminated several critical areas for impact on the lives of children in Los Angeles:

Literacy: 50% of the parents of children in Los Angeles don't speak English at home - and maternal literacy is the single biggest determinant of a child's literary success.

Childcare: With nearly 70% of women in the workforce, the need for affordable childcare is critical, particularly for low-income families. While the First 5 LA Commission has committed $600 million to developing a universal preschool system, Dr. Fielding stated that this is only 20% of the funding that's needed.

Diabetes and Obesity: Obesity is the fastest growing epidemic in Los Angeles County, and concurrently, Type 2 diabetes has increased tenfold in adolescents. Current evidence shows that educating children and their parents doesn't make a big difference. What's needed are changes in the environment that promote a healthier lifestyle, such as exercise programs at school, less junk food in vending machines, financial incentives to produce more healthful foods, and places to live and work that promote walking rather than driving, climbing stairs rather than taking elevators and escalators.

In identifying projects to fund, Dr. Fielding suggested that Everychild members ask ourselves, "What are we outraged about?" and then look for key leverage points to address the problems we identify. Do we want to continue to focus on specific groups of children by funding direct services and local capital projects? Do we want to get even more specific, selecting a smaller community of children within Los Angeles and funding a series of projects within that community, or focusing on a specific need over a period of years? Or conversely, do we want to consider affecting broad policy changes by funding advocacy for issues such as nutritional labeling, increasing the age for purchasing cigarettes from 18 to 21, or raising the tax on alcohol? Commenting that "giving away money well is one of the hardest things in the world," Dr. Fielding offered valuable insights and thought-provoking questions for Everychild members to take away from our evening together.

Substandard School Conditions/ACLU

On Friday, January 9th, the Everychild held its 5th evening salon. The fascinating evening was graciously hosted by Member Mona Andrews and her husband, Anthony, at their home in Beverly Hills. Featured speakers were representatives of the ACLU who discussed their high-profile and controversial lawsuit, Williams vs. the State of California. Ramona Ripston, Executive Director of the Southern California Chapter of the ACLU spoke, along with Staff Attorney, Catherine Lhamon, and Amy Salyer, a public elementary schoolteacher and witness in the case.

The lawsuit argues that the state has failed to provide an equal education for all public school students by virtue of the fact that substandard conditions exist in many classrooms in low-income areas. The speakers cited poor roofing, inadequate ventilation and heating/cooling, lack of working bathrooms, rat infestations, mold and classrooms which lacked not only enough desks and books, but in some instances, even teachers. Audience members queried the speakers as to whether or not the ACLU seeks additional funds from the cash strapped state in order to remedy the problems. Attorney Lhamon maintained that they are instead seeking an accountability system which would provide minimal standards, regular investigations of conditions in the schools and intervention to coerce implementation of the standards. The case is now entering its fourth year, and there are many people across the nation eagerly awaiting its outcome.

Children Exposed to Community Violence / RAND

Failures of the Foster Care System / Nancy Daly Riordan

Sheila Kuehl

Children Exposed to Domestic Abuse / State Senator Sheila Kuehl

A recent salon featured State Senator Sheila Kuehl who spoke about children in domestic abuse situations and what can be done to help them. Senator Kuehl, an Everychild Advisory Board Member, is the state's preeminent authority on this topic in legislative circles. She has authored numerous bills addressing this growing problem. She discussed the magnitude of the problem in our state, its root causes and some promising programs that Everychild could consider for a possible future grant. Such programs have proven to provide effective assistance to these children and include art therapy for the very young and theatrical presentations by students about abuse for older students.

Roy Romer

Raising Secondary School Test Scores / LAUSD Superintendent Roy Romer

Former Colorado Governor and Democratic National Committee Chairman, Roy Romer, who is currently the Los Angeles Unified School Superintendent also addressed an Everychild salon at the home off Frankie and Barry Sholem. He spoke about how to raise secondary school test scores in LAUSD schools. Budget cuts have presented significant challenges to improving the academic performance of the students in these schools. However, Superintendent Romer outlined a plan for some promising reforms that will hopefully yield results in the near future. These included more reading instruction for students by subject area teachers and a program that will provide teachers with experienced teaching mentors.

The Salon Committee also presented a screening of the Oscar-nominated documentary film, Children Underground, at the new Pacific Theatres ArcLight Theatres. Sheilah Kitt McKinnon, an Everychild Founding Member, is the film's Executive Producer. Children Underground shows the everyday lives of Romanian street children, a most difficult subject. Ms. McKinnon discussed the making of the film and the prospects for reforms in Romania to help these children.