Excellent news, mamas. Looks like we're not the only ones talking children & families these days. Three interesting Oregon women are holding a Children & Families Forum to talk about current efforts to improve the lives of Oregon's children and families and (of course!!) you can give your two cents about the issues near and dear to your heart - maybe paid leave, health care or school funding.
The Women:
* Regan Gray is a candidate for State Representative in SE and NE Portland. As Chief of Staff to Rep. Rosenbaum, she took the lead in proposing a Paid Family Leave program in Oregon.
* State Representative Tina Kotek was policy director for Children First before she was elected to the Oregon House, she was She is a strong advocate for working families issues and lead ONE VOICE for child care efforts in Oregon.
* Maribeth Healey is Executive Director of Oregonians for Health Security. She has been a key advocate for health care reform in Oregon. She was instrumental in the Healthy Kids Initiative and recently won an award from Families USA as the "Consumer Health Advocate of the Year."
The Invite: We have brought together three women who have been instrumental in Oregon efforts for paid family leave , child care and health care for kids. Learn about current efforts and share your input for the future. Please join us for this forum on Parenthood and Family issues at Old Wives Tales. They're hoping to have free, certified childcare available and will confirm soon.
The Logistics: Old Wives' Tales Restaurant, 1300 E Burnside, Friday, March 28th, 1-2:30 PM.
Can't Make It? Sadly, me either. It's Spring Break after all. It'd be great if someone who can attend reports out in the comments section or e-mails us and we'll post about it. What issues would you like to hear about? What questions might you ask?
I've been thinking, and my goal on this is to pass something exemplary, something no other state has managed b/c they end up negotiating it all away in the legislature. Can't we show that we ARE different in Oregon? That we can sit down with our opponents (yes, I attended the Obama talk Friday and am so ready to invite 'em all to the table) to achieve great legislation.
I applaud the states that have passed it and worked darn ahrd to get what they did, but let's pass the real thing, what working parents actually need, verses what we can get passed in Salem 'cause there are unsupported arguments prevailing. Let's identify what is ideal, identify the obstacles, and chip away at them between now and the '09 session. Talking to small businesses to understand their angle, their reasoning, to daylight the studies that show how much current polciies are missing huge awaths of people who need it. yadayada. Let's just do something we're proud of, somethigng revolutionary on this. it's time. See you on the 5th!!
Posted by: LTF | March 23, 2008 at 09:10 PM
I would love to be there, but my baby naps at 1:00! So instead, here's my email. I hope the discussion goes well, and I'm so happy that people are actively talking about these important family issues.
There's so many issues facing parents today that I hardly know where to begin...paid maternity leave, nursing/pumping rooms at work, social security benefits for stay at home moms, to name a few. However, what keeps coming up over and over for my mom friends and family is affordable, quality, government funded childcare.
Government funded daycare was almost a reality when congress passed the Comprehensive Childcare Act in 1971... it received broad bipartisan support but was vetoed by Richard Nixon (Walter Mondale said the veto was a "cruel blow to children and working parents"). Imagine if Nixon didn't veto and we had government sponsored childcare today? It's a serious issue that affects mothers (indeed all parents) from all races and classes. Every mom I know struggles with maintaining a quality family life and a job, never feeling like any part of her life receives the attention it deserves. Even stay at home parents would benefit from government funded quality childcare, as medical or other emergencies can greatly limit the ability of a primary caretaker to provide care for their children.
I know parents that have made drastic life decisions based solely on childcare expenses and/or availability. People have left careers, limited family size, changed jobs or homes based on decisions about childcare. But if quality, affordable childcare was perceived as a right rather than a privilege, we would be much closer to living in a land where all parents have the freedom and opportunity to achieve the American Dream.
Posted by: Jillian | March 25, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Did anyone attend? Sadly, I was not able to make it. I'd love to hear about it if you're willing to summarize your impressions in the comments? Thanks! I was bummed to miss this chance.
Posted by: LTF | March 30, 2008 at 07:22 PM
I attended, and wanted to briefly summarize what was discussed. There were about 10 people there, in addition to presenters.
Regan Gray spoke about her efforts with Rep. Rosenbaum to get a 6-week paid leave bill through the legislature last session. The bill was narrowly defeated, and she is planning to re-introduce the bill next year if elected.
Representative Tina Kotek spoke about her efforts to increase subsidies for child care, and provide assistance to already burdened child care centers in her district.
Maribeth Healey spoke about the current efforts to include us, health care consumers, in the governor's re-design of OHP.
I think if you mamas feel strongly about any of these issues, you can contact the speakers directly and see how you can get involved.
The group spoke generally about the over-burdened child care system in Central Portland.
We also talked a little about what it would take to get more comprehensive family-friendly policy in Portland, instead of small, piece-meal, issue-based legislation. One attendee suggested following the recommendations of UNICEF in becoming a "Child-Friendly City".
Was anyone else there that has anything to add?
Posted by: Andrea | April 16, 2008 at 11:27 PM