California Children’s Report Card with Ted Lempert of Children NOW (February 2022)

Ted Lempert, President of Oakland-based research and advocacy organization Children Now, spoke to Everychild members and guests at a virtual salon in February as part of our Nancy Daly Salon Series. California is home to almost 9 million children aged 0-17, with about 5.5 million enrolled in Medi-Cal and 37% identified as low-income. Lempert discussed the state of children in California and the advocacy work being done by his organization.

Children Now describes itself simply as “pro-kid,” and Lempert said that using this framework “allows us to galvanize support for complex issues in a de-siloed way, so it’s always simply about doing what is best for kids.” Children Now issues an annual Report Card on how our youngest population is faring in California across a broad range of issue-areas. It evaluates the State on its ability to support better outcomes for kids prenatally to age 26, with grades based on progress (or lack of progress) on passing and implementing policies and making investments that support kids’ well-being. Unfortunately, the State did not perform well. Grades this past year ranged from two A-‘s to a D and several D+s. Though showing slight improvement from prior years, the overall “GPA” across all measured areas was 1.6, indicating significant need for improvement.

Still, Lempert highlighted some bright spots, including the area of Health Insurance, where California now covers 98% of all children in the state. He also indicated some cause for optimism, including the fact that more young people aged 18-24 are voting than in the past and that this year’s State budget includes significant investments in kids. Children Now also spearheads The Children’s Movement, a network of 3,400 advocates, direct service providers, civil rights, faith-based and community organizations, businesses, and parent and student groups that work together to support policies that benefit children. Everychild is part of that network, and our Policy and Activism Committee works regularly with Children Now and the Children’s Movement on legislative issues of interest.