Working With State Leaders

To create a strong, unified, and credible bipartisan voice on these issues, First Focus is working to bring both traditional leaders in child advocacy and constituencies not traditionally engaged in policy efforts relating to children and families—including prominent private-sector partners of the America’s Promise Alliance—together to advocate for new and enhanced federal policies to improve the lives of the nation’s children.

A key component of this effort is engaging influential individuals, organizations and policymakers in states. First Focus will convene business and non-profit leaders and America’s Promise Alliance partners in seven states – Iowa, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and California – to build coalitions combining non-traditional and traditional advocates. First Focus will support this work through direct grants to state–based groups and through capacity building assistance including issue and message training, policy analysis and communications assistance. First Focus will provide significant funding ($75,000 /18 month commitment) for these coalitions.

For 2006-2007 First Focus state coalitions work will focus on reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance (SCHIP) program and policies to improve high school graduation rates. We also hope to influence the 2008 Presidential race by injecting children and their pressing needs as a significant component to the nominating process in Iowa. Some coalition members will be asked to serve in a "grasstops" role utilizing their relationships with key policymakers to advocate for specific federal policies that help improve the lives of children in the state. Others will be asked to help with "grassroots" leadership efforts and will receive training to incorporate key SCHIP and high school graduation rate efforts into their outreach work.