Category Archives: Children’s Policy

CHIP extension provides relief for millions of children and families

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In January, after months of delay, Congress extended funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP provides health coverage to nearly nine million children, including many Latino children, who might otherwise remain uninsured. Now that CHIP has been extended for 10 more years, these children will continue to have access to quality health coverage and care, and their families will have the support they need to be financially secure.

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Congress’ Continued Failure to Act on CHIP Puts Our Children’s Health at Risk

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CHIPMore than two months have passed since Congress failed to meet the September 30 deadline to renew funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Last year, CHIP insured nearly nine million children, including a significant number of Latino children.

If Congress fails to act soon and reauthorize CHIP funding, millions of our nation’s children stand to lose their health coverage.

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Nominee for Assistant Secretary for the Office for Civil Rights Refuses to Protect Civil Rights

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Whether Kenneth Marcus knows it or not, the position he would take on must enforce all civil rights protections and advocate for kids and families no matter their immigration status.

By Rebeca Shackleford, Education Policy Analyst, UnidosUS

Kenneth Marcus

Kenneth Marcus/YouTube

Next week, the Senate will vote to confirm the next assistant secretary for the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education. The high-level position focuses on protecting each child’s civil rights in our nation’s public schools.

But during his nomination hearing on Tuesday, nominee Kenneth Marcus wouldn’t commit to protecting undocumented children.

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Ensuring Our Kids Have a Healthy Summer

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On Tuesday, June 7, NCLR joined another weekly #SaludTues Twitter chat to discuss children’s health and how parents can ensure their kids stay healthy over the summer. Because students are on summer vacation, they may lack access to regular nutritious meals and the routine that the school year provides. Luckily, there are many ways parents can keep their young ones healthy throughout the hot summer months.

Below are selected highlights from our chat:

Janet Murguía Testimony at ESSA Hearing: Full Remarks

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JM_ESSAHearing

Today our President and CEO, Janet Murguía, testified before the before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions’ hearing, “ESSA Implementation: Perspectives from Education Stakeholders” to provide the civil rights perspective. Below are the remarks as prepared for delivery:

“NCLR is the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, an American institution recognized in the book Forces for Good as one of the leading nonprofits in the nation. We represent over 250 Affiliates—local, community-based organizations in 41 states and the District of Columbia—that provide education, health, housing, workforce development, and other services to millions of Americans and immigrants annually. Many of these Affiliates operate as charter schools, provide early education, or offer after-school programming or family literacy services. Their experiences inform NCLR’s federal agenda.

“NCLR was proud to support the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act as a much needed update to our federal education law. Notably, for the first time, English language proficiency will be included in states’ accountability systems. However, passage was just the first step. It is critical that ESSA be implemented in a manner consistent with the original Elementary and Secondary Education Act to ensure its promise for all students.

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Mamas + Masa + Folic Acid = Healthier Babies

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This Mother’s Day, we want to reflect on a recent announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow corn masa flour—the main ingredient of tortillas—to be fortified with folic acid. By fortifying a dietary staple among Latino families, corn masa manufacturers will help raise our community’s levels of this B vitamin that is essential in producing red blood cells and in making and repairing DNA. This is a major public health approach to reduce the rate of potential birth defects, such as spina bifida, among all children.

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