ICAA Speaks Out on Economic Stimulus

“The question is not whether we can afford to act,” Lana Ross, Director of the Association of Community Action Agencies, stated. “It is whether we can afford not to act. Without strong attention to the needs of struggling families within the economic stimulus package, Iowa is likely to fall into a deeper recession and the futures of Iowa’s children will be much less bright.” ICAA staff participated with other children advocates at a press conference held Monday December 15th at the Iowa State Capitol.

Leaders from Iowa advocacy groups attended the press conference, which included an emotional, inspiring speech from Iowa citizen Elizabeth Mohr, who detailed her struggle to raise her 6-year old son after leaving an abusive relationship in Oregon, to settle in Iowa to begin a new life. ""I appreciate the investment that public services in both Oregon and Iowa have made in helping (me and my son) be safe during this difficult...and unexpected time in our lives. " Mohr said. "With the support from my family, the community and public investments, I have been able to provide a good health life for my son, and pursue my own goals to enable me to become self-sufficient."

"Child Advocates and policy experts have come together in Iowa for many years to offer a unified advocacy agenda for children,"Charles Bruner, Executive Director of Child and Family Policy Center said. "We needed the same type of unified voice at the federal level."

Charlie Bruner, Executive Director of the Child and Family Policy Center in Des Moines, Iowa announced that major child policy and advocacy orginizations at the natinoal level have joined together as the children's Leadership Council (CLC) around a common federal agenda for children,under the theme"Invest in Children - Strengthen America". Thirty-six leading national policy organizations have joined together to help insure that children come first, and not last, in making budget decisions that affect America’s future.

The Children’s Leadership Council is calling for over $50 billion in additional investments that can help insure children are healthy, safe, achieve educational success, and contribute to America’s growth. The Children’s Leadership Council also is calling for inclusion in the economic stimulus package of provisions that will mitigate the effects of the recession on children and help avoid 2 million more children experiencing deep poverty.